The Rex rabbit originated in France in the 1920s and is named for the Rex gene responsible for its unique type of fur. Normal rabbit fur is made up of a shorter undercoat, interspersed with longer guard hairs. Rex fur is the result of a genetic mutation causing the hairs to be all the same length, giving a plush texture like velvet. In nature, mutations occur quite frequently, and many breeds result from a mutation that is fixed through a selective breeding program. The first Rex rabbit was born in the French village of Louché-Pringé in 1919, where the village priest was impressed with its plush coat and decided to breed it. Several Rex rabbits were shown at a major international show in Paris in 1924, where they found great interest among breeders. The high demand for Rex pelts soon resulted in commercial over breeding and a decline in fur quality as the Rex gene tends to make the hair thin and sparse. A few serious breeders introduced modifying genes from other breeds and established the Rex breed with a far better fur quality. The Rex became very popular in many countries as both a commercial and a fancy breed. The first Rex rabbits were castor colored, but a wide variety of colors have been developed through cross-breeding.
Appearance: The Rex is a large rabbit, weighing between 3 and 4.5kg (6-10lbs). Rex rabbits are smaller in the UK at around 3-3.5kg (6-8lbs), Rex are larger in the USA at around 3.5-4.5kg (8-10lbs).
Rex rabbits have a medium build, a solid-looking, rounded body with strong legs, a broad head and upright ears.
Rex rabbits have short, soft hair, about 1.25cm or ½inch long. The coat is dense, smooth and level with a firm, velvet like texture.
Color: Castor, Black, Blue, White, Chocolate, Sable, Seal, Chinchilla, Lynx and Opal are common to most countries.
Amber, Red, Lilac, Broken, Californian, Tri and Otters are also recognized in the USA
Smoke Pearl, Tortoiseshell, Orange, Fawn, Cinnamon, Datamation, Harlequin, Himalayan (Californian in the U.S) , Tuxedo (Booted) and Satin are also recognized in the UK.
There are also colors that are not recognized such as the, Magpie, other verities of chin.( blue chin, chocolate chin), Ermine, Blue Eyed White and different versions of the Californian (Chin point).
Temperament: Rex rabbits have a relatively calm temperament and are generally very good-Nature. They are intelligent and affectionate, very maternal (often mothering other rabbits), and enjoy company. They can be quite boisterous and playful, but are usually good with children and other pets.
Rex are known as the "...King of Rabbits" because of their unique fur structure. Before this mutation appeared, the rabbit world had seen nothing like it! When the first animals were presented to the abbot Amde Gillet - priest of the village Coulonge in the South of France, the abbot declared these specimens, "The King's rabbits", the Latin word for king, being rex. The first color or variety to be perfected was the Castor (which means 'beaver' in Latin from the original Greek - kaster). In fact, the breed itself was first dubbed "Castorrex". Though the first specimens of this breed were lacking in many areas (health, body structure, etc.), US breeders set about breeding for improvement as well as developing new varieties after the breed first came to the States around 1924. As a result, 'Castor' was dropped from the breed's name, giving it the new moniker of 'Rex'.
The beautiful Castor variety has remained a staple in this breed's make-up. The variety was so named because of its resemblance to the pelt of a beaver - a once highly sought after fur in the USA and abroad. At present the Rex boasts 16 varieties. Amber is the newest of the 16, being officially accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Assoc., Inc. in October of 2007. Prior to the Amber Rex's acceptance, the Black Otter variety (arguably one of the most striking of all Rex varieties) was accepted in 1988. Otter became an official 'group' with the acceptance of Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac Otter varieties in fall of 2008 - becoming eligible to officially show in February 2009.
Officially Recognized Rex Varieties (In the USA)
Rex rabbits have 15 recognized varieties Black, Black Otter, Blue. Broken, Californian, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Sable, Seal, White
Appearance: The Rex is a large rabbit, weighing between 3 and 4.5kg (6-10lbs). Rex rabbits are smaller in the UK at around 3-3.5kg (6-8lbs), Rex are larger in the USA at around 3.5-4.5kg (8-10lbs).
Rex rabbits have a medium build, a solid-looking, rounded body with strong legs, a broad head and upright ears.
Rex rabbits have short, soft hair, about 1.25cm or ½inch long. The coat is dense, smooth and level with a firm, velvet like texture.
Color: Castor, Black, Blue, White, Chocolate, Sable, Seal, Chinchilla, Lynx and Opal are common to most countries.
Amber, Red, Lilac, Broken, Californian, Tri and Otters are also recognized in the USA
Smoke Pearl, Tortoiseshell, Orange, Fawn, Cinnamon, Datamation, Harlequin, Himalayan (Californian in the U.S) , Tuxedo (Booted) and Satin are also recognized in the UK.
There are also colors that are not recognized such as the, Magpie, other verities of chin.( blue chin, chocolate chin), Ermine, Blue Eyed White and different versions of the Californian (Chin point).
Temperament: Rex rabbits have a relatively calm temperament and are generally very good-Nature. They are intelligent and affectionate, very maternal (often mothering other rabbits), and enjoy company. They can be quite boisterous and playful, but are usually good with children and other pets.
Rex are known as the "...King of Rabbits" because of their unique fur structure. Before this mutation appeared, the rabbit world had seen nothing like it! When the first animals were presented to the abbot Amde Gillet - priest of the village Coulonge in the South of France, the abbot declared these specimens, "The King's rabbits", the Latin word for king, being rex. The first color or variety to be perfected was the Castor (which means 'beaver' in Latin from the original Greek - kaster). In fact, the breed itself was first dubbed "Castorrex". Though the first specimens of this breed were lacking in many areas (health, body structure, etc.), US breeders set about breeding for improvement as well as developing new varieties after the breed first came to the States around 1924. As a result, 'Castor' was dropped from the breed's name, giving it the new moniker of 'Rex'.
The beautiful Castor variety has remained a staple in this breed's make-up. The variety was so named because of its resemblance to the pelt of a beaver - a once highly sought after fur in the USA and abroad. At present the Rex boasts 16 varieties. Amber is the newest of the 16, being officially accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Assoc., Inc. in October of 2007. Prior to the Amber Rex's acceptance, the Black Otter variety (arguably one of the most striking of all Rex varieties) was accepted in 1988. Otter became an official 'group' with the acceptance of Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac Otter varieties in fall of 2008 - becoming eligible to officially show in February 2009.
Officially Recognized Rex Varieties (In the USA)
Rex rabbits have 15 recognized varieties Black, Black Otter, Blue. Broken, Californian, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Sable, Seal, White
Note: Broken and Otter Rex are each shown as a group. Broken includes all recognized color varieties in conjunction with white or white in conjunction with two colors (Tri-Color); those accepted colors being: dense Black and Golden Orange; Lavender Blue and Golden Fawn; dark Chocolate Brown and Golden Orange; Dove Gray and Golden Fawn. Eye color corresponds to solid variety. All varieties are judged together.
Otter Rex includes 4 varieties: Black, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac. Pattern on Blacks and Chocolates to be pale cream on belly, underside of chin and tail. Belly is divided from body color by a distinct border of Tan. Nostrils and Triangle to be Tan. Eye circles and inside of ears are Fawn. Chest is an even mixture of Tan and the body color, merging into the body color. Pattern on Blues and Lilacs to be pale cream on belly, underside of chin and tail. Belly is divided from body color by a distinct border of Fawn. Nostrils and Triangle to be Fawn. Eye circles and inside of ears are pale cream. Chest is an even mixture of Fawn and the body color, merging into the body color. All varieties are judged together.
BLACK:
Color is to be rich, lustrous jet-black over the entire body, running deep towards the skin. Eyes - Dark brown.
FAULTS: Brown or rusty color, white hairs; faded.
BLACK OTTER:
Body color is to be jet-black, uniform throughout, with slate blue undercolor next to skin. Eyes - Brown.
PATTERN: Underside of chin and tail are to be pale cream. Belly is to be a pale cream or pale cream over slate, (pale cream preferred) and divided from the body color by a distinct border of tan. Nostrils and triangle are to be tan. Eye circles and inside of the ears are to be fawn. Chest is to be an even mixture of black and tan, merging with the main body color. The forefeet shall be entirely black. The tan border between the belly and flanks shall continue down to the hind feet.
NOTE: The 10 points for color in the Rex standard shall be distributed as follows: Color 5 points, Pattern 5 points.
FAULTS: Brown or rusty tinge to the body color; white or tan hairs in areas other than the patterned areas.
BLUE:
Color is to be a dark, rich blue over the entire body, running deep towards skin.
Guard hairs are to be the same color. Eyes - Blue-gray.
FAULTS: Faded or rusty color, white hairs; frostiness or mealiness (silver).
BROKEN:
Color is to include any recognized breed variety in conjunction with white, or white in conjunction with one of the following combinations of two colors: dense black and golden orange; lavender blue and golden fawn; dark chocolate brown and golden orange; dove gray and golden fawn. Eyes - Color to correspond with variety.
PATTERN: Pattern is to have both ears colored, nose marking (no preference is given to butterfly over evenly balanced nose spots), color around both eyes, and back pattern. The back pattern Day be in the form of a blanket (color starting at the nape of the neck, continuing over the back, sides and hips) or spotted (individual colored spots evenly distributed over the back, sides and hips), with preference given to the balance of pattern. Animals are to be at least 10%, but not more than 50% colored.
NOTE: The ten points for color in the Rex standard shall be distributed as follows: Color 5 points; Pattern 5 points.
FAULTS: Unbalanced or one spotted nose marking. One or more colored toenails.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: Absence of color on either ear, around eyes or nose marking. Coloration less than 10% or more than 50% in the judge's opinion. Excessive scattered white hairs or silvering in colored sections. Do not disqualify for white spot in colored section.
CALIFORNIAN:
The entire body is to be a pure, clean white, except for nose, ears, feet, and tail, which are to be as black as possible. (Eye stain permissible). Eyes-Pink.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: Any color or smut on any usable portion of the pelt (dewlap excluded). Absence of color on nose, ears, feet, or tail. Definite clean white spot in colored markings.
CASTOR:
Color is to be rich, dark chestnut or mahogany brown, as evenly as possible over body, head and legs. Intermediate ring color to be a rich orange or rufus red, clearly defined over slate blue undercolor. Fur is to be lightly and evenly tipped with black. Belly color is to be white or tan over blue under color. Eyes - Brown
FAULTS: Heavy black top; gray effect instead of brown; white tipped, giving salt and pepper effect; barred front feet; failure to show blue undercolor on belly.
CHINCHILLA:
Color is to resemble real Chinchilla. The undercolor is to be dark slate at the base. Intermediate portion of pearl is to be as light as possible (base to be definitely wider than intermediate portion), with top edge being a very narrow black band. Either wavy or even ticking permissible to make the beautiful Chinchilla surface color. Neck fur is lighter in color than the body, but strictly confined to the nape. The chest is to be lightly ticked with a uniform shade of pearl, slightly lighter than the body. The body color is to extend as far down the sides as possible. The belly color is to be white or blue next to the skin. The belly surface color is to be white. Eye circles are to be well defined, narrow and light pearl in color. Eyes - Brown preferred; Blue gray permissible.
FAULTS: Rust or yellow tinge; salt and pepper effect, caused by too much white tipping; heavy black top; narrow or muddy ring color; barred front feet.
CHOCOLATE:
Color is to be a rich chocolate brown, running as deep towards the skin as
possible. Color is to be even throughout. Undercolor is to be dove color.
Eyes - Brown with a ruby cast permissible.
FAULTS: Faded or rusty color; white hairs or sunburn.
LILAC:
Color is to be a pink dove gray, with a lustrous appearance, and even throughout.
Guard hairs are to be the same color. Eyes - Blue-gray, with a ruby cast permissible.
FAULTS: Blue or brown color.
LYNX:
Intermediate or ring color is to be as bright orange as possible, clearly defined over white undercolor. Fur is to be lightly and evenly tipped with lilac, not hiding the orange, but giving a lustrous, silvery appearance. Belly is to be white to the skin. Eyes - Blue-gray.
FAULTS: Blue top color, causing confusion with Opal Rex; dullness in orange band; too much lilac tipping, hiding the orange and destroying the desired two tone effect.
DISQUALIFICATION FROM COMPETITION: Blue undercolor.
OPAL:
Top color is to be a rich, medium blue, carried well down the sides. Intermediate, or ring color is to be golden tan, clearly defined over slate blue under color. Belly is to be white or tan, over blue under color. Belly is to be white or tan, over blue under color. Eyes - Blue-gray.
FAULTS: Failing to show blue under color on belly; white undercolor on any part of the body.
RED:
Color is to be a rich, red buff, deep in tone, but without smudge. Color is to be as even as possible over the entire body, including the belly. The ideal Red Rex should have as little shading as possible, giving the appearance of being solid or self color. Eyes - Brown.
FAULTS: Cut severely for white belly.
SABLE:
Saddle color is to be an even, rich sepia brown, shading gradually to rich chestnut on the flanks. Chest color is to match the flanks. Color is to go well down the fur shaft, with under color to match shadings throughout. Eyes Dark brown with ruby cast permissible.
FAULTS: Streaks; splotches; white hair(s); rusty tinge.
SEAL:
Saddle color is to be a rich, dark sepia, shading only slightly paler on flanks, chest and belly. Color is to go well down the fur shaft, with undercoat to match shadings throughout. Saddle color is to extend from nape of neck to the tail. Eyes - Dark brown.
FAULTS: Rusty tinge.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: Seals failing to show a discernible shading in their coloration. Blue undercolor.
WHITE:
Color is to be a pure clean white (avoiding yellow cast) over the entire body.
Eyes- pink.
FAULTS: Yellow cast; hutch stains; dirty; any color but pure, clean white.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: ALL REX: Eye color other than called for. White spot(s) in all colored varieties other than Brokens
Otter Rex includes 4 varieties: Black, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac. Pattern on Blacks and Chocolates to be pale cream on belly, underside of chin and tail. Belly is divided from body color by a distinct border of Tan. Nostrils and Triangle to be Tan. Eye circles and inside of ears are Fawn. Chest is an even mixture of Tan and the body color, merging into the body color. Pattern on Blues and Lilacs to be pale cream on belly, underside of chin and tail. Belly is divided from body color by a distinct border of Fawn. Nostrils and Triangle to be Fawn. Eye circles and inside of ears are pale cream. Chest is an even mixture of Fawn and the body color, merging into the body color. All varieties are judged together.
BLACK:
Color is to be rich, lustrous jet-black over the entire body, running deep towards the skin. Eyes - Dark brown.
FAULTS: Brown or rusty color, white hairs; faded.
BLACK OTTER:
Body color is to be jet-black, uniform throughout, with slate blue undercolor next to skin. Eyes - Brown.
PATTERN: Underside of chin and tail are to be pale cream. Belly is to be a pale cream or pale cream over slate, (pale cream preferred) and divided from the body color by a distinct border of tan. Nostrils and triangle are to be tan. Eye circles and inside of the ears are to be fawn. Chest is to be an even mixture of black and tan, merging with the main body color. The forefeet shall be entirely black. The tan border between the belly and flanks shall continue down to the hind feet.
NOTE: The 10 points for color in the Rex standard shall be distributed as follows: Color 5 points, Pattern 5 points.
FAULTS: Brown or rusty tinge to the body color; white or tan hairs in areas other than the patterned areas.
BLUE:
Color is to be a dark, rich blue over the entire body, running deep towards skin.
Guard hairs are to be the same color. Eyes - Blue-gray.
FAULTS: Faded or rusty color, white hairs; frostiness or mealiness (silver).
BROKEN:
Color is to include any recognized breed variety in conjunction with white, or white in conjunction with one of the following combinations of two colors: dense black and golden orange; lavender blue and golden fawn; dark chocolate brown and golden orange; dove gray and golden fawn. Eyes - Color to correspond with variety.
PATTERN: Pattern is to have both ears colored, nose marking (no preference is given to butterfly over evenly balanced nose spots), color around both eyes, and back pattern. The back pattern Day be in the form of a blanket (color starting at the nape of the neck, continuing over the back, sides and hips) or spotted (individual colored spots evenly distributed over the back, sides and hips), with preference given to the balance of pattern. Animals are to be at least 10%, but not more than 50% colored.
NOTE: The ten points for color in the Rex standard shall be distributed as follows: Color 5 points; Pattern 5 points.
FAULTS: Unbalanced or one spotted nose marking. One or more colored toenails.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: Absence of color on either ear, around eyes or nose marking. Coloration less than 10% or more than 50% in the judge's opinion. Excessive scattered white hairs or silvering in colored sections. Do not disqualify for white spot in colored section.
CALIFORNIAN:
The entire body is to be a pure, clean white, except for nose, ears, feet, and tail, which are to be as black as possible. (Eye stain permissible). Eyes-Pink.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: Any color or smut on any usable portion of the pelt (dewlap excluded). Absence of color on nose, ears, feet, or tail. Definite clean white spot in colored markings.
CASTOR:
Color is to be rich, dark chestnut or mahogany brown, as evenly as possible over body, head and legs. Intermediate ring color to be a rich orange or rufus red, clearly defined over slate blue undercolor. Fur is to be lightly and evenly tipped with black. Belly color is to be white or tan over blue under color. Eyes - Brown
FAULTS: Heavy black top; gray effect instead of brown; white tipped, giving salt and pepper effect; barred front feet; failure to show blue undercolor on belly.
CHINCHILLA:
Color is to resemble real Chinchilla. The undercolor is to be dark slate at the base. Intermediate portion of pearl is to be as light as possible (base to be definitely wider than intermediate portion), with top edge being a very narrow black band. Either wavy or even ticking permissible to make the beautiful Chinchilla surface color. Neck fur is lighter in color than the body, but strictly confined to the nape. The chest is to be lightly ticked with a uniform shade of pearl, slightly lighter than the body. The body color is to extend as far down the sides as possible. The belly color is to be white or blue next to the skin. The belly surface color is to be white. Eye circles are to be well defined, narrow and light pearl in color. Eyes - Brown preferred; Blue gray permissible.
FAULTS: Rust or yellow tinge; salt and pepper effect, caused by too much white tipping; heavy black top; narrow or muddy ring color; barred front feet.
CHOCOLATE:
Color is to be a rich chocolate brown, running as deep towards the skin as
possible. Color is to be even throughout. Undercolor is to be dove color.
Eyes - Brown with a ruby cast permissible.
FAULTS: Faded or rusty color; white hairs or sunburn.
LILAC:
Color is to be a pink dove gray, with a lustrous appearance, and even throughout.
Guard hairs are to be the same color. Eyes - Blue-gray, with a ruby cast permissible.
FAULTS: Blue or brown color.
LYNX:
Intermediate or ring color is to be as bright orange as possible, clearly defined over white undercolor. Fur is to be lightly and evenly tipped with lilac, not hiding the orange, but giving a lustrous, silvery appearance. Belly is to be white to the skin. Eyes - Blue-gray.
FAULTS: Blue top color, causing confusion with Opal Rex; dullness in orange band; too much lilac tipping, hiding the orange and destroying the desired two tone effect.
DISQUALIFICATION FROM COMPETITION: Blue undercolor.
OPAL:
Top color is to be a rich, medium blue, carried well down the sides. Intermediate, or ring color is to be golden tan, clearly defined over slate blue under color. Belly is to be white or tan, over blue under color. Belly is to be white or tan, over blue under color. Eyes - Blue-gray.
FAULTS: Failing to show blue under color on belly; white undercolor on any part of the body.
RED:
Color is to be a rich, red buff, deep in tone, but without smudge. Color is to be as even as possible over the entire body, including the belly. The ideal Red Rex should have as little shading as possible, giving the appearance of being solid or self color. Eyes - Brown.
FAULTS: Cut severely for white belly.
SABLE:
Saddle color is to be an even, rich sepia brown, shading gradually to rich chestnut on the flanks. Chest color is to match the flanks. Color is to go well down the fur shaft, with under color to match shadings throughout. Eyes Dark brown with ruby cast permissible.
FAULTS: Streaks; splotches; white hair(s); rusty tinge.
SEAL:
Saddle color is to be a rich, dark sepia, shading only slightly paler on flanks, chest and belly. Color is to go well down the fur shaft, with undercoat to match shadings throughout. Saddle color is to extend from nape of neck to the tail. Eyes - Dark brown.
FAULTS: Rusty tinge.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: Seals failing to show a discernible shading in their coloration. Blue undercolor.
WHITE:
Color is to be a pure clean white (avoiding yellow cast) over the entire body.
Eyes- pink.
FAULTS: Yellow cast; hutch stains; dirty; any color but pure, clean white.
DISQUALIFICATION'S FROM COMPETITION: ALL REX: Eye color other than called for. White spot(s) in all colored varieties other than Brokens