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Mini Rex

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A Mini Rex doe in the castor coloration.

Mini Rex is a rabbit breed derived in France in the late 19th century. The Rex mutation is recessive and causes the hair to protrude outwards from the body, instead of lying flat, and the guard hairs to be shortened to the length of the undercoat.

The small size, plush coat and friendly personalities of Mini Rex rabbits make them one of the most popular rabbit breeds in the United States. They were first recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1988, and have been very popular with exhibitors ever since. They weigh from 3.5 to 4.5 pounds when fully grown. They are short and rather close coupled. The ideal length of fur is 5/8 inch, and the fur has a lustrous appearance, good body, and a plush-like effect which offers a distinct springy resistance to the touch.

The Mini Rex Standard

For competitions, a Mini Rex should have a well-rounded back, with well-developed and filled shoulders, midsection and hindquarters. The head should be well-filled and set on a short neck, with thick ears measuring at least 3.5 inches. They should have medium-fine bone and rather short legs. Fur should be extremely dense, straight, and upright. It should be smooth and springy, not too soft or silky. Fur must be between 1/2 inch and 7/8 inch long. Any missing toe nails can lead to disqualification of the rabbit.

The Mini Rex is judged 45 points on body, 6 for head, 5 for ears, 35 for fur, 15 for color and 5 for condition, making a total of 100 possible points. There are a four-classes rabbit, which means there are four age groups they can be shown in. There are Senior Bucks (3 – 4.25&lbs, ideal 4lbs over the age of 6 months), Senior Does (3 – 4.5lbs, ideal 4.25lbs over the age of 6 months), Junior Bucks (2 – 3.25lbs under 6 months) and Junior Does (2 – 3.25lbs under 6 months). Juniors exceeding maximum weight limits may be shown in higher age classifications. No animal may be shown in a lower age classification than its true age.

Many Mini Rex rabbit shows are either local or national. Some shows are not sponsored by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), but rather by local or state Breeders Associations. Some Mini Rex shows are sanctioned by local show "designators" who set up and organize the event. Rabbit's are judged by national judges and the winners are announced at the end of judging. Rabbit shows are divided by class (color, age, and gender) and announced three times; If there are not enough show entries on the table or not enough show up, the class can be canceled. Rabbits can win a "leg" at sanctioned shows, that are noted as a winning, these can be won by having 5 rabbits or more in a class with 3 or more exhibitors. the "legs" can be classified by BIS (best in show) BOB (best of breed) BOS (best opposite sex) BOV (best of variety) BOSV (best opposite sex of variety)

Coloration and Markings

The Mini Rex color spectrum includes many common and exotic colors such as black, blue, blue-eyed white, broken group, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, Himalayan, lilac, lynx, opal, otter, sable point, seal, tortoise, and white. Recently accepted colors are smoke pearl and silver martin. New certificates of development have been awarded by ARBA for sable and tan Mini Rex, both to be presented in the next few years.

A Chinchilla Mini Rex
A male Lynx Mini Rex
  • Black – dark, rich, lustrous black, running deeply towards the skin, blending into a dark blue under color. Eyes are dark brown.
  • Blue – dark blue, running as deeply towards the skin as possible, with a medium blue under color. Eyes are a blueish grey.
  • Castor – a rich chestnut color tipped with black. The under color is slate blue or white with an orange intermediate band of color. Ears are laced in black. Surface color of the belly is cream, as well as the eye circles and jowls. Eyes are brown or black tinted with blue.
  • Chinchilla – sparkling mix of pearl and black, resembling a real chinchilla. Slate blue under hair, white belly color. Ears are laced with black, and eye circles are pearl. Upper of tail is black, bottom is white. Eyes are brown or blueish grey.
  • Chocolate – lustrous chocolate brown. Dove-grey under color. Brown eyes.
  • Himalayan – body is bright white. Ears, feet, tail and nose dark blue or black. Dark toenails, pink eyes.
  • Lilac – dove grey lightly tinted with a lilac shade. Matching toenails and blueish grey eyes.
  • Lynx – light fawn color tipped with lilac. White under color. Eye circles, jowls, belly, inside of ears and underside of tail are white. Eyes are blueish grey. '
  • Martin - Mainly Black, blue, chocolate or lilac, with White/Silver under belly, chin, tail, on head behind Ears and circular eye markings..
  • Opal – medium blue top color, fawn intermediate color and grayish blue under color. Underside of tail, jowls, belly, inside of ears and eye circles are to be white of cream. Eyes are blueish grey.
  • Otter – Mainly Black, blue, chocolate or lilac, with tan under belly, chin, tail, on head behind Ears and circular eye markings..
  • Red – rich red with as little shading as possible. White or cream belly color. Eyes are brown.
  • Sable – light brown body, with even darker ears, nose, tail, & feet. Eyes are brown.
  • Sable Point – lighter brown all over and darker ears, nose, tail, feet. Eyes are brown.
  • Seal – dark, dark brown body, fading to lighter brown on the belly and chest. Eyes are brown.
  • Tortoise – rich orange with dark shading on the belly, feet, rear, sides, face and ears. Eyes are brown.
  • Red Eyed White – pure white. Eyes are pink.
  • Blue Eyed White – pure white, eyes blue.
  • Broken – Any accepted variety in conjunction with white.
  • Tri-Color – white with Black & Orange, Lilac & Fawn, Chocolate & Orange, or Blue & Fawn.
  • Pattern – a broken with a balanced nose marking, eye markings, colored ears, colored tail and body spots. Colored area covering 10% to 50% of rabbit.

Note: Tri-color is to be shown as a broken.

Living Spaces for Rabbits

The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) maintains an article regarding rabbit care. The ARBA has a legislative committee that works with the USDA and House of Representatives and Senate Agriculture Committees.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mini Rex.

References

  • ARBA Standard of Perfection, 2011–2015
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