Breed Profile
New Zealand

The classic 'big white bunny', NZWs are ideal family houserabbits - they're too big for young children to pick up, by far the safest way to mix rabbits and kids!

Size

Large. 9 to 12 lb (4.­5kg), females larger than males.

Color

Usually white: an albino rabbit with pink eyes. The Black and Blue (grey) New Zealands are now very rare.

Grooming?

Thick, dense coat needs a weekly groom; daily when moulting.

Temperament

Friendly, calm and even tempered.

Health problems

Various exotic diseases have been found in some in-bred strains of meat and laboratory rabbits. There are no particular problems in the show strains likely to be kept as pets. Watch the weight, though – they do get fat easily.

Life span

Probably 5 - 7 years.

In the house

Great housebunnies, but beware of the hair - they moult vast quantities of white hair absolutely everywhere, several times a year!

Availability

From show breeders, whites are getting scarce; blues and blacks very rare. Because NZWs are still bred for meat, you could adopt a bunny and save it going in a pie. Former laboratory rabbits are sometimes available for adoption (all legal and above board!) and such animals are generally extremely well handled and always absolutely healthy.

Fascinating Fact

The New Zealand Red is an entirely different breed: smaller, lighter in build and a very pretty orange-red colour.