Select a Show Rabbit

Do you want to purchase a rabbit to compete with at shows? There are many things you must consider first, but with a little thought, it can be easy and stress-free.

Steps

  1. Buy the ARBA Standard of Perfection. This book describes every recognized breed and what it should look like. This will prevent you from getting a rabbit that will not do well on the show tables.
  2. Select the breed best suited for your level of expertise and accommodations. The small-sized breeds (3 ½ -- 6 lbs) are easier to handle for beginners, use less cage space and eat less food than the bigger breeds. They are a good choice to start with. Do not start with dwarf breeds unless you are near to a competent breeder who can help you. These require skill to handle, breed and pose, and can be more challenging to the beginner. Some of the small-sized breeds are as follows:
    • Dutch
    • Mini Rex
    • Britannia
    • Holland Lop
    • Polish
    • Netherland Dwarf
    • Lionhead
  3. Look at your state’s rabbit club website and find breeder listings for your area. Call them up, find out if they have rabbits for sale, and go visit them.
  4. First impressions count. Is their rabbitry clean, organized and well-kept? Or is it dirty, smelly and full of unhealthy rabbits? You do not want to buy from the breeder.
  5. Ask to see the rabbit(s) for sale. Check the fur. In most breeds, the hair should snap back into position when you stroke it backwards (tail to head). Some breeds have rollback fur. Check the Standard of Perfection or the ARBA website for rules on fur.
  6. Check the face. Eyes should be clean, free of discharge and bright. The nose should not be runny. Its top teeth should overlap its bottom teeth, and its ears should be parasite and wax free.
  7. Its back should be strong and firm, not bony, lumpy or crooked. Some rabbits have different shaped backs and may feel skinnier than others, so check the Standard of Perfection (SOP) or ARBA website for the details.
  8. The legs should be straight. Every rabbit should have five toes on the front feet and four on the back feet. All the toenails should be present. There should be white toenails on white breeds and varieties and colored toenails on colored breeds or varieties. (Check the ARBA SOP for exceptions.)
  9. The rabbit’s body should be firm, not soft and flabby. In a junior animal, it might not be very firm, but still be a good specimen. It is just not mature yet.
  10. The tail should be straight.
  11. Check to be sure the color is correct. If it is a “band” or “agouti” color, blow into its fur to see the ring pattern. (Check the ARBA SOP for more details) Check that the under-color (color of its belly) is correct, and that all markings are the right size, shape, and color. Check eye color.
  12. The rabbit should have firm, dry stools and quiet breathing. There should be no signs of illness or injury. Rabbits do get pee stains on their feet, it does not mean they're sick!
  13. If everything checks out, ask to see the rabbit’s pedigree. Ask to see (if possible) its parents and litter mates. Ask about any Best in Show, Best of Breed, or Best of Variety wins. If there is a history of winning in the pedigree, odds are you have a rabbit that could win. It doesn’t always work out that way, but it is an extra measure to partially ensure success.
  14. Check the rabbit’s temperament. Is it friendly? Does it come and greet you , or run and hide? Does it pose for the judges? Does it bite and/or scratch? Will it allow you to flip it over? These won’t necessarily make or break a champion, but you and the judges will have a much happier time with your rabbit if it is friendly.
  15. When you decide to buy the rabbit, ask the breeder to tattoo it in its left ear. Most breeders do it themselves. You must have a tattooed number or letter sequence if you are to show in ARBA shows. This gets written on the pedigree so you can identify your rabbits easily. At rabbits shows, there may be eighty rabbits of the same breed and color, and you don’t want to get yours swapped up with someone else’s!
  16. Make sure you're committed! Don't give away your rabbit in a month!

Tips

  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions and point out the rabbit’s faults.
  • Ask about how the breeder shows his rabbits, how he conditions them, and how he breeds them. This is extremely valuable information learned over many years of trial and error. It can save you much time, money and heartache.
  • How does the breeder handle them? If he has a calming voice and is prepared to stay a long time to see if this is the rabbit for you, chances are you have found a good rabbit breeder!
  • Take home a zip-lock bag of the rabbit’s food and slowly switch from its regular food to yours. If you can, buy the same brand for a while, but that is not always possible.

Warnings

  • Make sure that the rabbits are at least 8 weeks old.
  • Don't buy a sick rabbit. It can infect your whole rabbitry and possibly yourself, as well.

Related Articles

You may like

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Select_a_Show_Rabbit&oldid=285295"