Showing

If you haven't already gotten your feet wet in this area, we highly recommend that you give it a try.
Rabbit shows are not only the vehicle by which your animals are evaluated and compared to the
standard as well as other rabbits on the table, but are an excellent way to meet other folks interested
in rabbits and learn a few things along the way!

Locate a Show Near You The best way to do this is to be a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. As a member, you will receive the bi-monthly magazine, Domestic Rabbits. In this magazine, is a listing of upcoming shows in each state and the name of the show secretary whom you should call or write to request a show catalog Filling Out the Entry Form You receive your entry form. Now what? Well, first of all, make sure your rabbit has a permanent tattoo number in the left ear. This is a requirement to show. Know and understand the breed, variety, sex, and age group classifications. This information must accompany your entry and must be accurate. Let's use Satins as an example. The breed is 'Satin', color is what is referred to as the variety. In this case our Satin is a 'chinchilla'. Now we need to indicate sex. Bucks are males, does are females. You will also see on the entry form, age classifications from which to choose from: Pre-Junior, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior. The Pre-Junior class (not available in all breeds), is considered 'educational' in nature and rabbits thus entered are not eligible for Grand Champion Legs (more on that later). The age limit on Pre-Juniors is 3 months. There is a weight limit as well - for Mini Satins it is 2 lbs. The Junior classification is for rabbits under 6 months of age. Be careful here and in all age groups when entering your rabbits in a show. There are weight limits in all groups. If your rabbit exceeds the top weight for its age group, it will be eliminated from competition! To get around this, you can enter your rabbit in the next highest age group. Keep in mind that entering a rabbit in an age group lower than its true age is never allowed. Intermediate rabbits are 6 to 8 months of age. (Note: not all breeds have an Intermediate classification. All compact breeds and commercial, full, and semi-arch breeds whose top weights are under 9 lbs., have only Junior and Senior classifications.) Senior rabbits are rabbits that are over 8 months of age in 6 class breeds, and over 6 months in 4 class breeds. (A 4 Class Breed is a breed that has four age group classifications available: Junior Bucks, Junior Does, Senior Bucks, and Senior Does. A 6 class breed has six classes available - the same classes in junior and seniors for bucks and does with the addition of Intermediate Bucks and Intermediate Does.) Thouroughly confused? Good. Now on to the next subject... Show Etiquette OK, so you filled out your entry form, made out your check, and sent it in before the deadline. Show Day has arrived! Pack up your rabbits. Make sure you have proper carriers. Some newcomers use pet carriers which we don't recommend. It is difficult to remove the rabbit and there is no separation between bedding and bunny. Regular rabbit transports can be purchased at reasonable cost through many rabbit equipment suppliers. In fact, these vendors are often there at the show with equipment to sell. Plan your arrival for at least 30 minutes before the show is scheduled to begin. If 'Day of Show Entries' are allowed, get there earlier. Don't hold up the show or worse, risk having your entries rejected because you were not there on time! The show has begun! Often a written schedule is available listing the judging order of the various breeds. Watch and listen for the announcement of your breed. Many rabbit clubs have rules regarding limits on calling for entries. Often, after two calls, entries are scratched if they are not in place when the judge is ready. Once judging has started, DO NOT TALK TO THE JUDGE! You are also not permitted to indicate ownership of your rabbit in any way. If the judge placed your rabbit well - Congratulations! If the judge thought your rabbit lacking, keep your opinions to yourself. Good sportsmanship means being able to accept all outcomes with grace and dignity. If you really want to know why the judge placed your rabbit lower in its class, ask the judge to explain when the judging is over. Use that information as a learning tool to help you improve your stock. Show Jargon When a show is sanctioned by the A.R.B.A., it means that the sponsoring organization paid a sanction fee which entitles all rabbits entered to compete for a 'leg' towards a Grand Championship. When a breed is sanctioned it means a fee was paid to the national specialty club for that breed which enables points to be won and accumulated by exhibitors who are members of the national specialty. A leg is earned by: Placing first in a class of 5 or more with at least 3 exhibitors Placing 'Best of Variety' if there were at least 5 in the variety with 3 or more exhibitors Placing 'Best Opposite Sex of Variety' if there were at least 5 of that sex and 3 exhibitors Placing 'Best of Breed' again with 5 entries and 3 exhibitors Placing 'Best Opposite Sex of Breed' - 5 entries, 3 exhibitors Placing 'Best of Group', etc., etc.,... Placing 'Best Opposite Sex of Group'... Winning 'Best in Show' (Note: A 'Group' is a broader classification than variety, usually applied to color pattern groups. Fuzzy Lops, Angoras, Holland Lops, and Netherland Dwarfs are breeds that use groups in their color/variety classifications.) Grand Champion Leg - A certificate indicating 'Award of Leg Toward Grand Champion' is presented to the exhibitor of any rabbit who wins any of the above awards. A rabbit is awarded a Grand Champion Certificate if three 'legs' have been accumulated and the rabbit is registered. Registration Before a rabbit can be awarded a Grand Champion Certificate, it must be registered. This is accomplished by presenting the rabbit and it's 3 generation pedigree to a licensed A.R.B.A. Registrar. The registrar will examine the rabbit for any disqualifications, and if none are found, fill out the appropriate form. The current fee for registration is $4.00. The owner must be a current member of A.R.B.A. Now that you know what you're getting into, go ahead and give showing a try! There is a great deal of waiting, but during that time you can have so much fun spending time with others who share your passion - RABBITS!