New Zealand white rabbit

The New Zealand is a breed of rabbit, which despite the name, is American in origin. The breed originated in California, possibly from rabbits imported from New Zealand. New Zealand rabbits are available in five ARBA-recognized colors: white, red, black, blue, and broken (color mingled with white). Crossbreeding can result in many different combinations of the three basic pigmentations. The most common of these variations are gold tipped steel and chestnut agouti. They average 10 to 12 lb (5 kg) with the does being slightly larger than the bucks. New Zealands are bred for meat, pelts, show, and laboratory uses, being the most used rabbit breed both for meat production and animal testing. They are also bred as pet rabbits.

New Zealands have well-rounded bodies; slender and muscular faces with round cheeks; large, long back feet; and small, short front pectoral muscles (Rubins). They have long perforated ears that stand straight up. Unlike the thick, snowy fur on their bodies, their ears have shorter fur that allows the delicate pale pink of their skin to show through. The most noticeable characteristic of New Zealand White rabbits is their bright eyes, which are a ruby pink color. Due to their eye colour their colouring is often referred to as REW (ruby eyed white). REW is a recessive trait, and generally REWs aren't bred to the other varieties of New Zealands (blacks, reds, brokens or blues) as that can result in "steel" color New Zealands, which are not a recognized color of New Zealand. White New Zealands are the most common variety, and have been bred the most extensively for meat.

New Zealand rabbits have large, broad, and muscular bodies. Bucks (males) weigh 9–11 pounds, while the does (females) weigh 10–12 pounds (Verhallen 23-35). In addition to their greater size, females are distinguished by the presence of a dewlap, which is a flap of fur below the chin that stores fat to be used as extra energy if needed during pregnancies and lactation. Large males can also have dewlaps, but it is less common. Males also tend to have a broader face, and larger cheeks.

New Zealand whites descended from New Zealand Reds, which were likely developed in California and developed from a mix of breeds, possibly including Belgian hares and Flemish giants. New Zealand Reds were developed for their quick growth rate and meat type, and were added to the US rabbit standard in 1916. The white variety was created in 1917 by William S. Preshaw out of some white New Zealands born in a litter of reds. While the reds remained more popular for meat for some time, whites quickly caught on because of their white pelt, which could be easily dyed and was more valuable in the fur market.

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