Rex

The Rex coat is short (about 1.5–2 cm), dense and stands upright, so it feels like velvet. There are many colours: white, black, blue, castor, tricolour, spotted and more. Adults usually weigh 3–4.5 kg. Does usually have 4–8 kits. Pelts are best after 4.5–5 months, once the coat has fully matured.

The rex gene is recessive: crossed with a normal-coated rabbit, all kits have normal fur. If a pair of “pure Rex” parents produces a normal-coated kit, the parents are not purebred. The temperament is usually calm.

Uzbekistan climate. Its short coat helps it cope with heat slightly better than large, dense-coated breeds, but at 35–40 °C it still needs shade and ventilation. In winter it needs a dry, draught-free shed. The fur on the soles is also short, so sore hocks develop quickly on wire; put a board or plastic mat on part of the floor.

Buying locally. Uzbek Rex breeders have won at international shows, so good breeding stock exists. But Telegram groups are full of “who buys Rex pelts?” questions: the pelt market is small, so find a buyer first. “Karlik rex” (Mini Rex) is a different, much smaller pet breed, not for meat or pelts.