New Zealand Rabbit

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, dense flyback coat on a large, broad, muscular body

A big, solid rabbit with a broad, deep, well-muscled body, rounded hindquarters, short front legs, a bold full-cheeked head and upright ears. The coat is normal length and 'flyback', meaning that if you stroke it backwards it snaps straight back into place. It is thick and dense with glossy guard hairs; the New Zealand standard gives an ideal fur length of about 25 mm. Whites should be clean and bright with no cream tinge, and the Red is a warm golden to russet shade.1863

Personality what they are like

New Zealands are known for being calm, relaxed and friendly. Their size tends to make them less nervous than small breeds, and they usually tolerate handling well, although their weight means they are best supported close to the ground. Many are outgoing and like to be around their people, and owners often describe them as clever and curious. Regular gentle socialisation keeps them confident.2538

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active big rabbit that needs plenty of room to stretch out, hop and dig. Aim for at least five hours a day of supervised exercise time outside the main enclosure.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat needs a weekly brush, stepping up to more frequent brushing during the spring and autumn moults. Trim nails about every four to six weeks.2

Home where they are happiest

Because this is a large breed, give it generous space: the enclosure should be at least four times the rabbit's stretched-out length, ideally with more than one level. The Rabbit Welfare Association's baseline for a pair of average-sized rabbits is a permanent area of at least 3 m x 2 m and 1 m high, so a pair of New Zealands benefits from more.29

Food basics what goes in the bowl

High-fibre hay should make up at least 80 percent of what it eats, with unlimited access. Add about a cup of leafy greens per 2-3 lb of body weight daily, a measured portion of pellets (roughly a quarter cup per 4-5 lb of body weight), small amounts of other vegetables, fruit only as an occasional treat, and constant fresh water.2

Company who they like around

Friendly and social; does well with regular human interaction and, like other pet rabbits, is happiest living with a compatible rabbit companion.29

The story where it all began

Although it carries the name of a Pacific nation, the New Zealand rabbit is an American breed, developed in California in the early twentieth century. Breeders are believed to have drawn on rabbits imported from New Zealand along with Belgian Hares and Flemish Giants, aiming for a fast-growing rabbit with show quality. The first colour was red, and the New Zealand Red was added to the American standard in 1916, making it one of the first rabbit breeds developed in the United States in that century. In 1917 William S. Preshaw started the white line from white youngsters that appeared in litters of reds. The White soon became the favourite because its pale pelts were easy to dye for the fur trade, and it was recognised in 1920. More colours followed in the US: Black in 1958, Broken in 2010 and Blue in 2016. The New Zealand White reached the United Kingdom after the Second World War, around 1945, where the British Rabbit Council now keeps White and Red as separate breeds. Today the breed is kept worldwide, and has become a popular show rabbit and a gentle, easy-going companion.152874

Recognised by the official bits

ARBA

Recognised in 1916; one breed in five varieties: White, Red, Black, Blue and Broken. Maximum weight 12 lb.4

ARBA

Variety dates: Red 1916, White 1920, Black 1958, Broken 2010, Blue 2016.5

British Rabbit Council

The BRC treats New Zealand White (colours White, Black, Blue; 9-12 lb) and New Zealand Red (bright golden red; about 8 lb) as two separate breeds.7

Rabbit Council of New Zealand

NZ White standardised as a large normal-fur breed; adult bucks 4.08-4.99 kg, does 4.53-5.44 kg.6