About Bear Paw Rabbitry
Rugged Roots. Velvet Coats.
Bear Paw Rabbitry raises Rex rabbits on a multigenerational family homestead rooted in the mountains of North Idaho. We raise purebred Rex with purpose, integrity, and a deep respect for the animal—whether destined for the show table, the rabbitry barn, or the homestead freezer. Our goals are simple and time-honored: produce fast-growing, large, well-typed Rex rabbits for both meat and fur, while maintaining strong, healthy lines worthy of the ARBA Standard of Perfection for the breed.
Why Rex Rabbits?
Rex are a traditional commercial breed, originally developed for exceptional fur and excellent meat production. They’re finer-boned than many other commercial breeds, which gives them an impressive meat-to-bone ratio—a major advantage for homesteaders and families seeking self-sufficiency.
Their coat is what truly sets them apart: short, dense, plush fur where guard hairs and undercoat are the same length, creating the distinctive velvet texture no other breed replicates.
Our high-elevation, cold climate naturally helps our rabbits develop thicker, higher-quality coats, making them ideal for homesteads, ARBA competition, and sustainable fur harvesting.
Who We Are
We come from long lines of farmers and homesteaders, and ethical animal husbandry is part of our heritage. We love our rabbits, take pride in tending to them, and believe livestock can—and should—serve multiple purposes. We also raise chickens (including dual-purpose heritage varieties) and grow food in a garden using rabbit manure straight from the source to enrich our soil naturally.
Our love for Rex deepened quickly as we learned the genetics behind their varieties, patterns, and traits. With a background in college genetics, pairing rabbits based on known genotypes and expected outcomes became not just a responsibility, but a genuine passion. Watching those predictions come to life in the nest box never gets old!
Our Breeding Philosophy
We breed with purpose—not just for volume. Unlike many modern rabbitries, we do not offer every kit for sale. We grow out and keep only the best examples of the breed. Each kit is evaluated carefully for:
Growth rate & size
Meat distribution and commercial traits
Fur density and quality
Conformation and type
Temperament and vigor
We compete in regional ARBA shows and enjoy the challenge of improving our herd generation after generation. As every seasoned breeder knows:
The best Rex on the show table are also the best “table rabbits.”
Good type is good meat. Feeding and housing animals costs the same—so we believe in raising rabbits that are genetically worth the investment.
Ethical Homestead-Based Breeding
Ethical breeding means making responsible decisions for the sake of the animal, the breed, and the community.
We do not contribute to irresponsible pet ownership, accidental litters, or flooding the market with cheap rabbits. Instead: We sell only our best—and we eat the rest.
Rabbits that do not meet our standards for show, brood, or companion homes are respectfully culled and used to feed our family. This practice:
Honors the whole animal
Prevents low-quality rabbits from circulating in the pet market
Keeps our lines strong
Supports sustainable homestead living
Upholds the original purpose of commercial breeds
Nothing is wasted, and every rabbit is treated humanely from birth to harvest.
How Our Rabbits Are Raised
Our rabbits thrive outdoors in the clean mountain air. We prioritize:
Clean, properly-designed housing
Wind protection and dry habitats
Proper ventilation & sunlight/shade
High-quality, non-GMO, locally produced feed
Unlimited fresh, local, timothy hay
Fresh clean water from our private well
Hands-on evaluation, petting, and socializing
Respectful, attentive daily care
We love our animals, and they receive consistent, thoughtful stewardship every day of their lives. We aim to place our rabbits in homes and rabbitries who also have high standards for cleanliness, maintenance, care, and animal husbandry ethics.
What You Can Expect From Us
When you choose Bear Paw Rabbitry, you’re choosing:
Small family businesses
Clean, ethically raised animals
Strong genetics and proper type
Honest evaluations & photos
Clear communication
Support in starting or improving your rabbitry
Breeders committed to the long-term quality of the Rex breed
Whether you’re building a self-sufficient homestead, improving your meat program, participating in 4-H, or stepping into the ARBA show world, we’re happy to help guide you.
Let’s Connect
We enjoy meeting people who appreciate purposeful breeding, ethical husbandry, and the heritage of raising livestock that serve multiple roles. Rex are beautiful rabbits who make wonderful companions and are an excellent multifaceted addition to any homestead. If you have questions about our rabbits, our methods, or how to get started, we’re always glad to help! 😊
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For the quickest response, we recommend reaching out through Facebook Messenger — just click “Message” on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569501244426
You can also contact us by email at: BearPawRabbitry@outlook.com
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Availability changes often, and not every rabbit is listed on the website.
Some are shared first on our Facebook page or offered directly through Messenger.
If you’re looking for something specific, feel free to reach out — and keep an eye on upcoming litters as they arrive.
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We do not ship our rabbits. Rabbits can be picked up in Priest River, Idaho, at a public location. BPR is often willing to meet in the following cities (and areas in between/surrounding):
Sandpoint, ID, Post Falls, ID, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Newport, WA, Spokane, WA, Richland/Kennewick/Pasco (Tri-Cities), WA, Ritzville, WA, at BPR’s convenience and discretion.
BPR works with buyers to coordinate economical and convenient pickup, whenever possible. BPR will often plan personal out-of-town errands and trips around meeting buyers along the route of travel to save on fuel and time for both parties.
BPR will work with buyer-arranged transport services at the buyer’s risk and expense. BPR reserves the right to refuse the use of any transport services at our discretion, in the interest of rabbit health and safety. Once the rabbit is transferred to the buyer or their transporter, all liability and responsibility transfers to the buyer/transporter.
If using an animal transport service, BPR may charge the Buyer for fuel and time to meet the Transporter along their route. Fees depend on the driving distance/fuel cost for BPR to meet the Transporter and will be discussed and agreed upon with the Buyer ahead of time. Transporters typically have set routes and expect to be met along those routes for drop off and pickup.
Inquiry & Placement Form
Interested in a rabbit from Bear Paw Rabbitry?
Please fill out the “Inquiry & Placement” Google Form at the link below to tell us about what you are looking for:
Contact us
Have questions about our available rabbits?
If you’re hoping for a variety or gender not currently listed, get in touch and share your goals. We’ll review what we have now — and what’s coming up in future litters — to help you find the right fit.
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