August 27, 2024, 4:43 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
New Zealand rabbits are a breed from the U.S., primarily bred for their rapid growth, and their meat was also sold to New Zealanders. As pets, they are considered friendly, calm, and easy to care for, making New Zealand rabbits ideal for beginners.
Appearance
New Zealand rabbits are medium-sized. Their weight should be between three and four kilograms. There are two color variants: the white and the red New Zealand rabbit.
The red New Zealand rabbit has a typical deep red coat color. In certain areas, such as around the eyes or on the underside of the belly, the fur color may be slightly lighter. In terms of color, the red New Zealand is considered one of the most challenging solid-colored rabbit breeds to breed.
For the white New Zealand rabbits, the top and undercoat are pure white. They have a slightly more compact build than the red New Zealand rabbits. There are now also blue and black New Zealand rabbits, although mainly in the United Kingdom.
Behavior
New Zealand rabbits are considered peaceful, cheerful, and balanced. They are very intelligent and can even learn small tricks. Those who engage with the animals daily will quickly gain their trust. Although the breed is generally considered calm, New Zealand rabbits are playful and curious. They love to explore their surroundings, climb, and hop around.
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Proper Care & Maintenance
In terms of care and maintenance, New Zealand rabbits do not differ much from other breeds. Generally, the animals should be kept in pairs at a minimum. An outdoor enclosure is ideal. As they are a very healthy and robust breed, they can be kept outdoors all year round. If this is not possible, provide the New Zealand rabbits with a spacious enclosure indoors or, ideally, an entire room. The rabbits should have enough space to run and hop.
New Zealand rabbits are not very demanding when it comes to coat care. Normally, the animals take care of it themselves. However, the fur of the white specimens is somewhat longer and finer. Therefore, it is important to regularly check for matting, especially around the anal and genital areas.