REX RABBIT BREED

House pets are impulsive purchases for most of us who just love the
sight, sound and feel of anything adorable, soft and furry. But, if
you are making a planned purchase and a rabbit is what you have zeroed
in on, a Rex could be the breed for you. Below, I list some of its
more adorable (well, also the not-so-adorable) features:

Origin
This breed originated as a natural mutation (crossbreed) of the gray
rabbits found in the wilderness of France. They were discovered in
1919, but were bred commercially for their fur and meat after
attaining popularity. They made a successful debut at the Paris
International Rabbit Show in 1924 and later made an entry into the
U.S.A. Today, they are one of the most popular house rabbits in the
world.

Appearance and Personality
Rexes come in various colors, namely black, white, blue, castor,
chocolate, sable, tortoise, seal, brindle, etc. Their peculiarity is
the thick, upstanding fur that looks and feels like velvet. It ranges
between 1.3 - 2.2 centimeters in length and the guard hair are
actually the same length as the undercoat. This makes the coat thicker
and gives it plush-like feel. It must be remembered that these low
maintenance mammals do not require combing at all. In fact, the only
grooming they require is regular nail trims.

An average Rex weighs anything between 6 to 10.5 pounds, making it a
fairly large rabbit in its family. Its broad head has pert upright
ears that suit its fairly rounded body. These plump fur balls are
generally friendly, curious and playful and make perfect foster moms
for any other rabbits that you may own. They can be litter-trained
easily, but (like us, human beings) do need proper incentives to learn
anything new. A happy Rex can live up to 6 years (despite being in
human company).

Rexes require low to medium activity levels. They are equally content
sitting on someone's lap and acting out their perfect pet part. These
incredibly soft creatures do require a physical show of affection, in
the form of petting or stroking. Though, a lot of fun, they require
lots of attention, if their non-destructive and friendly temperament
is to be maintained in the long run. Lastly, it is essential to keep
the cage size, in accordance with their size - i.e. large!

Food and Health Care
Rexes feed. No, I do mean feed. There will be times that you will
think that you have pet horse. The good thing however, is that their
food is easily available and does not tax the budget. Rexes mostly
feed on commercial rabbit pellets, timothy hay, lucerne hay, fresh
greens and fresh fruit. They need up to a quarter cup of pellets per
day, for every 5 pounds of their body weight. Fresh greens can
comprise the main portion of the rest of their diet. Fruits should be
limited for their high sugar content and for that you need a heart of
steel. After all, how else can you deny him his favorite food, when he
looks at you with big watery eyes begging you give it.

Healthwise, Rex rabbits are generally sturdy. They are prone to cold
and flu, so it is best to keep them indoors during extreme weather.
They have fragile skeletons, so proper care should be taken, while
handling them. Males should be neutered after about 4 months of age,
to prevent the aggression arising out of sexual maturity. Females can
also be neutered, as this reduces the risks of uterine cancer. Both
the males and females live longer (8 - 11 years) after spaying. As
long as, the standard ear mites and fleas are taken care of, your Rex
should be a really healthy pet. It is also essential that your Rex is
vaccinated against calicivirus at a young age. There are two main
types of Rex rabbits: Mini Rex and the Standard Rex.

Standard Rex
A standard Rex that weighs about 8 to 12 pounds has a lovely velvety
fur. These rabbits come in many different colors like: black, red,
opal, chocolate and white. Standard Rexes are available in various
marking styles including, castor, californian, broken, chinchilla and
black otter. They have straight ears and the coat doesn't require too
much grooming. Standard Rexes are good-natured, and are known as
enatic creatures. The interesting fact about this breed is that they
can easily accept the baby of any rabbit and nurture it like their
own. These rabbits are generally quiet and may find it difficult to
live in a chaotic environment.

Mini Rex
Mini Rex rabbits are very small rabbits, they weigh about 3.5 to 5
pounds and come in various colors including, blue, black, red, seal,
blue-eyed white and broken colors. These are very friendly pets and
they have very beautiful fur coats. They can be toilet trained very
easily. Mini Rexes are loved by all adults as well as children, and
they also enjoy human company. These things make them lovely house
pets. They have a longer lifespan and can live well for more than 10
years.

I conclude claiming Rexes as the best pets for those who want one, but
are already over and done with the responsibilities of diapers and
Cerelac. Get them! You will fall in love so quickly with your curious,
albeit playful pet that you will learn to ignore that strong odor they
tend to retain. Oh, sorry! Did I forget to mention that rabbit urine
contains a lot of ammonia making their pee stink like hell.