ARBA senior bucks 3-4.25 lb (ideal 4 lb), senior does 3.25-4.5 lb (ideal 4.25 lb); juniors 2-3.75 lb. The Vet Desk gives a rougher 'about 5 lb'.
rex coat: short, very dense, upright plush fur on a compact, rounded body
A small, neatly rounded rabbit with well-filled shoulders, midsection and hindquarters, fairly short legs, fine-to-medium bone and short upright ears no longer than about 3.5 in (9 cm). Its signature is the rex coat: the guard hairs are about as short as the undercoat, so the fur stands straight up instead of lying flat. The result feels like thick velvet that springs back under your hand, ideally about 5/8 in (1.6 cm) long.156
Mini Rex are generally calm, curious and friendly, and many genuinely enjoy being handled and fussed over. Their gentle, patient nature makes them a good choice for beginners and families, though like all rabbits they prefer quiet, predictable handling.135
Moderately active; needs daily time out of the enclosure for hopping and exploring, plus regular interaction with people. Outdoor play should be supervised.53
Low-maintenance coat: a gentle brush with a soft brush about once a week is plenty, and too much brushing is unnecessary for rex fur. Spot-clean with a damp cloth if needed and trim nails around once a month. Expect a moult roughly every three months.35
Provide a solid-floored enclosure with soft bedding and a separate quiet hideaway; one guide gives about 30 x 30 in (76 x 76 cm) as a bare minimum, while the RSPCA recommends a combined living area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high for a pair of rabbits. Keep them somewhere cool (below about 80 F / 27 C) with natural light but out of direct sun.573
Grass hay should make up most of the diet (around three quarters or more), topped up with a measured amount of high-fibre pellets, fresh vegetables and constant clean water. Skip grains and seeds.35
Sociable with people and other rabbits; they do well with a compatible rabbit companion and can get along with calm household pets after a gradual introduction.57
The rex fur mutation turned up in a litter of wild-grey rabbits in France in 1919 and was shown in Paris in 1924. The Mini Rex story began in 1984, when Texas breeder Monna Berryhill won a pair of Dwarf Rex at the ARBA convention in Orlando, Florida. The surviving buck, Zoro, was mated to an undersized Lynx Rex doe called Cotton, giving a litter of seven; three of the does, nicknamed Happy, Bashful and Dopey, became the foundation of the breed. Two of them went to Florida breeders Linda Thompson and Gloria Middleton, whose line later produced top-winning Castors. Berryhill presented Castor Mini Rex at the 1986 convention in Columbus, where a working standard was approved, and ARBA fully recognised the breed in 1988. New varieties were added over the following decades, and the Mini Rex grew into one of the most popular breeds in American show halls.2816
Three of the founding does were named Happy, Bashful and Dopey, after Snow White's dwarfs.2
Mini Rex regularly sit at or near the top of ARBA registrations and Best in Show wins, with around 900-1,000 shown at a national convention.2
A Chocolate junior doe sold for $900 at a 1992 auction, a record the national club says still stands.2
The foundation buck was called Zoro and the foundation doe Cotton.8
Rex fur feels plush because the guard hairs are cut down to roughly the same length as the soft undercoat, so the hair stands up rather than lying flat.6
The rex mutation behind the breed's coat was first spotted in France in 1919.6
The breed's ideal ears are short, no more than about 3.5 inches long.1
A typical home-care rhythm for a Mini Rex. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Encourages rabbits to eat more hay while giving them a tasty treat.
How much: One skewer per rabbit per day
Recipe from PDSA
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Your Mini Rex needs unlimited fresh grass hay every day, as it should make up most of their diet. Furry Diary's starting plan is to refill hay daily and offer a measured amount of high-fibre pellets and fresh vegetables each day. For exact pellet amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.35 Pet Wiki plan
Feed mostly grass hay, plus a small portion of high-fibre pellets and safe leafy greens daily. Avoid muesli mixes, grains, seeds, and dangerous foods like avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, and iceberg lettuce. Always provide clean water.35910
No, you should not bathe a Mini Rex; it can stress them and damage their delicate rex fur. Instead, spot-clean with a damp cloth if needed, and check the fur around their tail daily to keep it clean, especially in summer.35 Pet Wiki plan
Yes, a gentle brush with a soft brush about once a week is plenty, as their short rex fur is low-maintenance. During moults, which happen roughly every three months, Furry Diary suggests brushing daily to remove loose fur.35 Pet Wiki plan
Trim their nails about once a month, and check their teeth weekly since they never stop growing. Furry Diary's plan includes a weekly teeth check and nail trims every six weeks. If you notice overgrown teeth or nails, consult your vet.35 Pet Wiki plan
They need a solid-floored enclosure with a quiet hideaway, and the RSPCA recommends at least 3m x 2m x 1m high for a pair. Furry Diary suggests at least four hours of free-roam time daily for hopping and exploring, always supervised outdoors.573 Pet Wiki plan
Mini Rex are sociable and do best with a compatible rabbit companion, though they also enjoy human company. They can get along with calm household pets after a gradual introduction.57
A Mini Rex typically lives between 7 and 10 years with proper care. Providing a good diet, regular vet check-ups, and a safe environment helps them reach their full lifespan.35
Yes, their calm, curious, and gentle nature makes them a good choice for families, but they need quiet, predictable handling. Always supervise children to ensure the rabbit feels safe and is handled gently.135
Support their hindquarters and chest securely, never pick them up by the ears or scruff. Many Mini Rex enjoy being handled, but always be calm and gentle to keep them comfortable.135
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.
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