Furry Diary

Dalmatian Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus

Also called Dalmatian Rex, Dalmatiner Rex

Rare breedShort profile

From Germany and France.1

At a glance the quick version

Weight2.72 to 3.63 kg21
Sizemedium

Standard size 2.72-3.62 kg (about 6-8 lb); the mini rex version is 1.70-2.04 kg.

active
friendly
striking spotted coat
12

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, plush rex fur about 1.3 cm, with no protruding guard hairs; white with coloured spots

A graceful, well-balanced rex rabbit with a bold, broad head. Its short, velvety coat is mostly white and scattered with small coloured spots, much like a Dalmatian dog.23

Colourswhite with black spotswhite with blue spotswhite with brown/havana spotswhite with orange spotswhite with fawn spotstri-colour (two spot colours on white)213

Personality what they are like

A lively, friendly rabbit that enjoys having things to do and people to interact with.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Quite active, so it needs generous daily free time in a safe, roomy area.14

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Rex fur is short and dense and needs little work; a gentle brush or a wipe with a damp cloth once or twice a week is usually enough. Trim nails every few weeks.5

Home where they are happiest

Welfare guidance asks for a combined shelter and exercise area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high for a pair of medium rabbits, tall enough to stand up on the back legs and long enough to stretch out fully.4

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Unlimited hay or grass should form the bulk of the diet, with fresh water always available, plus some leafy greens and a small measured portion of pellets.4

Company who they like around

A sociable animal that should share its home with at least one compatible rabbit, plus regular gentle time with people.4

The story where it all began

The Dalmatian is a spotted rex rabbit with roots in Germany and France. A dwarf rex version with Dalmatian spotting was shown in Germany by Karl Erne in 1974, and today the breed is kept in the UK in both standard and mini rex sizes.132

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Its spotted coat is meant to look like a Dalmatian dog's, with at least three spots on each side of the body.3

  2. 2

    Unlike most rex breeds, it has no normal-furred twin breed with the same pattern.3

  3. 3

    Spotted dwarf rex rabbits were presented by German breeder Karl Erne in 1974.3

  4. 4

    UK standards recognise solid, bi-colour and tri-colour spotting patterns.2

Recognised by the official bits

British Rabbit Council
Recognised as the Dalmatian Rex, in standard and mini rex sizes.1
British Rabbit Council
Supported by the National Dalmatian Rex Rabbit Club.2
ARBA
Not recognised.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Dalmatian Rabbit. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

  1. Dalmatian (rabbit) (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, other names, weight, colours, recognition, temperament, rarity
  2. Fur & Feather: Dalmatian Rex furandfeather.co.ukused for coat, patterns, colours, weights, club
  3. Rexkaninchen (German Wikipedia) de.wikipedia.orgused for spot pattern, history, fun facts
  4. RSPCA: Rabbit environment rspca.org.ukused for space, diet, companionship
  5. PDSA: Rex rabbits pdsa.org.ukused for rex coat grooming

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.