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New Zealand Rabbit

Family: LeporidaeOryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   You can't help falling in love with a New Zealand rabbit, especially when it gently nudges you, wanting a petting on its soft snowy white fur!

   The New Zealand babies in the picture above are just about 7 weeks old and are only about 2.2 pounds each. They are just as sweet and cuddly as any rabbit can be. They are munching on a green apple while they pose to have their pictures taken!

New Zealand Rabbit "Bob" Photo Courtesy: Kim "I'm the proudest mum ever!" ...Kim

   The New Zealand is a wonderful rabbit and makes a great beginner bunny. They are quite social and outgoing, and enjoy being part of the family. They like everybody and most household pets, and they are not biters.

   One of their greatest features is that they usually love to be handled. Pick them up, set them down, or hold them in your lap! They are often likened to "big rag dolls" because they flop down kind of like a rag doll, accommodating any cuddly manner in which you wish to hold them. They can even be carried across your shoulder!

   As with all good sized rabbits, the New Zealand will need a bigger area to move around in. They need regular excercise as they can gain weight easily. Keep treats to a minimum., even though your pet will beg you for them. The babies in our picture above will soon outgrow the cage we have them in!

For more information about Rabbits and their care:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Rabbit

Background:    The New Zealand rabbit was first a red variety and became known in the United States about 1912. It is thought to be a cross between a Belgian Hare and a white rabbit. The white variety came about from cross breeding among several breeds such as the Flemish, American Whites, and Angoras. A black variety was also developed from various crossings which include the Giant Chinchilla.

   Historically thought of as a utility or working rabbit, the New Zealand rabbit has been selected for hundreds and hundreds of generations by people who work with rabbits. This is because they have good outgoing personalities and are easy to work with. They don't tend to bite or struggle and they don't get sick or have health problems nearly as often as other breeds.

Description:    A medium sized rabbit, the New Zealand adult will get up to 11 pounds.

Color differences:    As you can see in the picture above, the New Zealand rabbits are generally pure white rabbits with red eyes and pinkish coloring in their ears, but they can also be brick red or black.

Lastest Comments on New Zealand Rabbits View all 106 comments on New Zealand Rabbits Add Your Comment

Mariah - 2011-08-18 Help! I've got a nz male rabbit who is just barely three months old and has taken to spraying! It is marking its territory in the house too so I have not allowed him inside ever since! He is the only rabbit. I never knew a rabbit could mature so quickly. Does anyone have this problem or any solutions/suggestions please, as I do not want to get rid of him. Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-08-19 A male rabbit is going to spray unless you have him neutered. Better for the rabbit to have him neutered if he is to be a pet. They live longer too. Anita Jensen - 2012-01-26 Get him fixed. My New Zeland did the same around 3 months of age. I got him fixed at a local Vet (it was hard to find a Vet that would fix a bunny in my area and do it for a reasonable price, so I suggest you call around to get all the pricing information you can! At least males are cheaper to fix, anywhere!) I paid $57 for the procedure. I dropped him off at 8am and he was ready to come home by 12:30pm, so it is a fairy quick and easy process. My bunny, Bun-Bun, is now 10 months old and has totally stopped spraying. Bun-Bun is an indoor bunny with free rain to the entire house all day long, although we cage him at night time (so he wont eat all our cords and molding). We also have 3 indoor cats. My Vet told me that my bunny probably began to spray because of the cats. So, if you have other animals or are around other animals where your bunny can smell them on you that might be what started the problem. Rabbits are fully grown at 12 weeks (3 months) of age though, so this really isnt all that early. Reply

Bunny Lover - 2011-05-09 Guess what! I litter trained my new zealand white, Fuzz! I am so happy! Click For Replies (5) Clarice Brough - 2011-05-09 That is so cool! Makes life great for both of you, congratulations. Leila - 2011-05-27 Thats great! I've just got my 4 week old rabbit and am busy training it to use the box by putting him in regularly. Any tips how you did it? LUVURBUNS - 2011-07-11 @leila Look at the top comment and read my reply. Bunny Lover - 2011-08-27 Sad to say,my bun Fuzz is now in heaven. :( But I can tell you how I litter trained her: I put the box where she did her business:) and she eventually learned to go in the box! Rest in Peace, Fuzz Mariah - 2011-08-27 Its so sad to hear of dear Fuzz...I hope you do get another one and also enjoy her as much! My potty-trained bunny has taken to spraying in the house and with sadness I say that I have to banish him outside. Rest in peace, Fuzz... Reply

nicole - 2009-02-18 I have a white fured red eyed New Zealand rabbit! Her name is Albie, and she also loves cords. We found her 2 years ago underneath our car and it was like love at first sight. She gets in alot of trouble but I would never give her up Click For Replies (1) Nancy - 2011-09-29 Thanks for the share! Nancy.R Reply

Leila Peters - 2011-07-29 Thank you Charlie, you are so right! It is also very sad to see people keep rabbits in a small cage. I think it is inhumane. Although Fluffy's got a hutch when I first got him I tried to put him in for the night, he just stood there on his hind legs against the cage. For me it was too much! No way was I going to keep him in against his will - and he preferred the garage. It is wonderful to see him amongst the green grass outside. His favourite is boiled spaghetti and potato! Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-07-29 I am not one for CAGE - I have safe places for things - especially late at night or if I am not home. But even then - I can put my husband easily into my birds 8 foot cage. I have seen really neat rabbit areas where the Cage is like 2 feet wide by 3 feet high and 6 - 8 feet long, Screened fron and off the ground and then the bunny has stairs to com eout and there is a large safe enclosure around that. So bunny can go in and out his cage - which has toys and litter. Second litter also in the enclosure. So easy to clean, easy for bunny to get in and out and easy for human to pick up and play - or big enough for human to go in. alexis - 2011-08-14 Um that's very good ya. Reply

Leila Peters - 2011-07-30 Well said, Charlie, you are absolutely right. Bottom line is bunny should have enough space to run and safe place to sleep. I wish many rabbit owners would do the same. To avoid any territorial behaviour as I have a house rabbit I left it as just one, instead of two. Reply

Leila Peters - 2011-07-26 @luvurbuns, thank you so much for your advice. Fluffy is pretty much potty trained by now, and he has the freedom of the whole house and yard! I didnt bother to fence up the gate as he simply just doesnt run out! He is such a sweet pet and sleeps in the garage! Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-07-27 People donot know or realize that a rabbit can make a wonderful pet. They don't know they can be housebroken and trained. Please tell all of us more. Thank you Reply

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