Rex mutation

The rex mutation is a genetic variation in mammals that results in soft curly fur. These effects are due to changes in the structure of groups of hairs and cross-section of individual hairs. The Rexed coats are unusual but occur (and have been preserved) in cats, rabbits, horses, and dogs. The mutations, infrequent and spontaneous, occur in a variety of genes and genetic regulatory structures. The diversity of genetic factors results in variable coat thickness/density and fur length.

Rex Rabbits

A great variety exists within rex rabbits. They vary from very dense and short-haired varieties (Standard Rex) to long-haired curly-haired breeds (Astrex).

The rex rabbit was introduced in 1919 by Abbe Gillet from a spontaneous mutation. The next rex rabbit was discovered in the hutches of a breeder in Lübeck, Germany in 1926. This breed was originally called Deutsch-Kurzhaar and is due to the r2 (dek) gene. In 1927, yet another short-hair rabbit was discovered in the hutches of the French breeder Madame Du Bary, a fancier of Hymalayan (ch-) rabbits. This breed was called Normannen-Kurzhaar and is due to the r3 (nok) gene.