*** These are some common questions that are asked to me when individuals are just getting started in the show rabbit world and are intended to help you get started or answer a few questions along the way of your show career. If you do not see your question listed below shoot me an email and I will answer it and add it to the ever growing list! Even though I have been showing for many years now, the rabbit world is ever changing and I still learn new things!
1. How do I start showing rabbits? I highly recommend individuals interested in showing rabbitsattend a local showfirstand talk to some reputablebreeders. Ask them about the breed they're showing in raising and why they like it. There are nearly 60 recognize rabbit breeds by the ARBA so you're bound to find one you like.Whenyoudo settle on a breed,purchase from breeders who raised that breed. Buying from breedersensures that you're getting a purebred version of that breed of rabbit that is free from general disqualifications for show.
2. How do I find shows to enter? Visit arba.net . Under the "Members Resources" tab there will be another tab that says "Shows". Once you've slected the state your live in, it will bring up a list of the current rabbit shows in your area hosted by clubs that have been sanctioned by the ARBA. More often than not, to the right of each show listing there will be a show flyer or catalogue. This will provide information on the show dates and location, the judges, scantioned breeds, and if it is a single, double, or triple show. There may also be an entry forum available for you to fill out should it be an early entry show.
3. What should I bring to a show? For yourself, count on getting dirty! Most rabbit exhibitors wear an apron with pockets in the front to hold whatever we need at that time. Some use arm or wrist guards to protect their arms/wrists from being scratched to pieces from rabbit nails. Bring a change of clothes should you get peed on by a rabbit (yes it happens!) Bring cash should you have an entry change to be made or an additional entry to add, for food, purchase from vendors or even to buy more rabbits, as generally breeders dont accept checks or cards. Bring chairs to sit in as majority of the time there's no seating available at the shows location. Bring a copy of your entry forum so you know what you have already mailed into the show secretary. For your rabbit, you should have some basic grooming tools (brushes, spray bottles, etc.)to freshen your rabbit up with before the show. A grooming table and a cart/wagon to carry everything into the showroom and around the show tables helps tremendously as well. You'll need proper show carriers for your rabbits, and bring extra carriers too if you plan on purchasing rabbits at the show. Food and water dishes (obviously feed, a jug of water from home (as rabbits can be picky about their water source) and some hay to nibble on in between classes) and also whatever bedding you choose to line your show carriers with. Paper towels, baby wipes or even an old bath towel for stains and such, hand sanatizer is always a must in my showbox!
4. What should I NOT bring to a rabbit show? Any human hair products (hair spray), hydrogen peroxide, bleach, baby powder, or anything that prevents the rabbits coat from being in its natural state is not allowed. You should also never bring a sick rabbit or a rabbit that is showing signs of sickness. Molting rabbits should be kept at home as this can be a DQ and rabbits are generally already steessed during a molt.
5. How do I prepare my rabbit for a show? Make sure your rabbit is clean and not molting. Bathing your rabbit is not a necessary way to clean your rabbit. If it is a white rabbit make sure there are no stains or dirt on the coat. This can be prevented by daily cage cleaning and proper grooming. Make sure you trim your rabbits toenails. Look your rabbit over and make sure it does not have any injuries or is not showing signs of sickness. Brush their coat and make sure there are no knots. Make sure their ear tattoo is legible and in the correct ear, the left ear. Do NOT paint your rabbits nails or paint/color any part of the rabbits fur. Basically don't do anything to artificially alter the rabbits appearance.
6. How do you show a rabbit? At American Rabbit Breeder Association (ARBA) circuit shows (different than your typical county fairs or county 4H or FFA stock shows) the exhibitor places the rabbit in a show coop hole on the judges show table. So when your breed is called simply take your rabbit(s) up to the show table. A writer for the judge will tell exhibitors when and where to place their rabbits. The rabbits being shown are divided according to class, breed, age, color, etc. The judge then takes the rabbit from the other side and poses it. And thats all there is to it, the judge does the rest! They will come down the line of rabbits on the table, look over each one and make their comments about each. Usually shows have many judges and many different show tables a list of the breeds each judge will be judging at his/her table will be posted in a visible portion of the showroom. Some ARBA shows will use comment cards and some ARBA shows are no comment card shows. Normally the show flyer will say if it is a comment card show or not. If your rabbit has won Best of Variety it will stay on the table to compete for Best of Breed. If your rabbit wins Best of Breed it stays on the table to compete for Best in Show.
7. What are some of the classes at a show? You show your rabbits by breed. Each breed division is then classed according to the standard of perfection book (buy your copy here! -> www.arba.net ) Some breeds get grouped by color, then sex, followed by age or weight. Other breeds like your Lops are grouped by pattern (solid (one color) or broken (spotted)) then sex, then age. Commercial type rabbit breeds have divisions geared more towards age/weight classes since they are bigger: pre-junior, 6/8 month, senior. Make note that each class division will have buck and doe groups. Make sure you know your breeds classes and weight requirements (found in the ARBA Standard of Perfection book)
8. What is a Youth show and what is an Open show? A youth show is geared for exhibitors who are 18 years and younger. Only kids can compete in youth shows. An open show is a show for all age ranges. Anyone and everyone can compete in open.
9. What does show 'A' and 'B' mean?\\\\nWhen a show flyer says that there is a show A and B that means there's two different shows in one day, so two different times to show your rabbits under two different judges. You must be entered to show in show A to be able to show in show B and vice versa.
10. What is a coop show and what is a basket show?\\nA coop show means that cages will be provided at the show for the rabbits attending. Typically you will be assigned a cage when you arrive at the show. Coop show are most commonly seen at large shows such as state fairs or national shows. More often than not (always check with your show rules first!) coop shoes will have what is called a "runner". These are people who bring your rabbit(s) to the show table when the classes are called. A basket show means attending rabbits stay in the cages in which they were brought in. These cages must have a solid bottom so urine and other material doesn't fall out of the cage. These travel cages stay with you and you set up somewhere in the showroom with your rabbits. With shows like these, you are responsible for getting your rabbits to and from the show table when your class is called.
11. What types of rabbits can I show? Any purebred rabbit that is a recognized breed by the ARBA and free of any general qualifications for show. The rabbit(s) you plan on showing will need a permanent tattoo in its left ear. The rabbit(s) do not need a pedigree nor do they need to be registered with the ARBA in order to be allowed to show. Also as an exhibitor, you do not need to be a member of any club to show. It is reccomended though because as a memeber of the ARBA and other local rabbit clubs, you make many friends and can reap so many members only benefits, such as sweepstakes points and members only merchandise.
12. What does a judge look for?Each breed of rabbit is judged according to their own breed standard listed in the ARBA standard of perfection. This book lists all the specifications for each registered breed. The judge will check for gender, body type and fur quality, fur mismarks, injuries, molt, toenail mismarks, etc. A list of qualifications and faults for each breed is listed in the standard of perfection book.
13. What is a 'junior' rabbit and what is a 'senior' rabbit? A junior is the term used for any rabbiy under 6 months of age and the term senior describes a rabbit that is over 6 months. If your junior rabbit exceeds the weight limit for its junior breed class then it may be shown in the senior age division. But a senior rabbit can never be shown in a junior division. The weight and age specifications for each breed are listed in the ARBA standard of perfection book.
14. Why does my rabbit need a tattoo? Tattoos are used for breeders to be able to identify which rabbit is theirs on the show table. When you have 20+ of the same breed up on the show table it can become a challenge to find which rabbit is yours. The proper place to tattoo a rabbit is in its LEFT ear. It must br a permanent tattoo, so no Sharpie or only marker tattoos are allowed. The tattoo can be anything you would like. Some breeders use a rabbitry prefix followed by a code, others might abbreviate the rabbits name, while some might use a combination of the parents tattoos so that they can tell at a glance which rabbit they are handling at that time. The goal is to make the rabbit anonymous on the show table. Thats why personally, I don't like to use colored ink or start every tattoo with my rabbitry initials for example. Keep the tattoo short, its easier to write and less pain for the rabbit. Generally there is someone at a show who can help you tattoo your rabbit. If you need it done, be sure and get to the show early.
15. How can I reduce show stress on my rabbit?Don't load your rabbits into their show travel cages until the last minute. When you arrive at the show some of the bright lights and loud noises might scare your rabbit so place a lightweight blanket over the top of your travel carriers until the show starts. Placing hay for them to munch on in their cages gives them something to do while they wait. \\n