There are many reason why people ‘show’ their rabbits. Local shows provide a social day out and a chance to catch up with friends. It is a chance to get other people’s opinions of your stock (especially the judges) and a chance to see what other breeders have bred. The primary reason though is for the competition and the chance to compare your own stock with that of everyone else’s and against the relevant standard for your particular breed (see individual standards on breed pages).

Standards

For every breed that can be exhibited in this country there is a written list of points known as a breed standard which the rabbit has to conform to. This will list factors such as weight, colour, pattern, shape of body, length of ears etc and the rabbit that mirrors the standard the most should be the winner. Obviously this is subject to each judge’s interpretation of the standard and everyone has differing opinions. When you are assessing your stock, planning your breeding schedule etc you should always have a rough idea of the breed standard in mind to try and obtain a specimen as close to this ideal as possible. The standard also lists disqualifications which means that if the rabbit has them it cannot be shown. These disqualifications should be borne in mind when buying stock and choosing breeding pairs and what youngsters to run on.

Show Preparation

Once you have your show rabbit(s) and have decided that you are going to show it you need to start preparing for the show. This starts months in advance with a good feeding regime which will help to produce fit, firm , healthy rabbits which is a must for any breed. Keeping the rabbit in clean conditions will mean that the amount of cleaning that the feet will require before the show day is kept to a minimum.

Before the show you should do everything you can to ensure that your rabbit will look its best. Remember that the judge may only have a minute or two to assess your rabbit and make his decision. If your rabbit gleams with health, sits well and is easily handled then this will make a big impression even if it is not as close to the standard as some of the other rabbits on the table.

For this reason a moulty rabbit is only shown if the moult is slight and not many points are awarded for coat such as in the Netherland Dwarf where the majority of the points are awarded for type and a moulty rabbit may do quite well.

General points:

Keep claws well trimmed as not only does this look neater but is kinder to the rabbit. Practice sitting the rabbit so that it shows off its best qualities. Ask the breeder from whom you bought your stock whether there is a particular way that the rabbit should sit and how to achieve this. Do not leave the grooming until the day of the show particularly the cleaning of the feet. Most rabbits do not require any feet cleaning if the hutch is kept spotless but some (especially the diggers) may still have a slight yellow stain to their feet. This can be removed a day or two before the show by gently washing the pads in soapy water, drying them off and coating in cornflour before placing back into a clean hutch with a little cornflour sprinkled on the floor.To find out about shows in your area and also who to telephone to enter the show you can either contact the BRC or subscribe to Fur & Feather magazine who publish all the show details and results as well as interesting articles, breeders details etc.

To enter a show your rabbit must have a ring on its back leg and this ring must be registered in your name. To buy rings from the BRC you must first become a member. If you buy a rabbit that is already rung then the seller should give you a signed transfer card so that you can transfer the rabbit over into your own name.

For help and advice regarding showing and how to go about it please feel free to email us or contact the BRC who will gladly advise you and will also give you details of people in your area who can help you.

The Day of the Show

Be prepared and arrive at the show in plenty of time to give your rabbit one final groom and get it comfortably penned. Then stand back and watch. When it comes to your rabbits class it will be placed on the table with all the other rabbits in that class. The judge will look at each rabbit in turn mentally comparing it with the breed standard and with the other rabbits on the table at the time. Next the judge places the rabbits in order. Normally only the first three places are noted down. The rabbits are then put back in their pens and the next class is judged. When all the classes have been judged rabbits of the same breed are judged against each other to find the best of breed, next all the best of breeds in one section (Fancy, Lop, Fur , Rex) are judged against each to find the best in section and finally all the section winners are judged together to find the best rabbit in show. whilst judging is taking place ask an experienced fancier to explain to you what is happening at each stage as it is sometimes hard to follow when you don’t know what’s going on.

After judging you can ask the judge why he placed your rabbit where he did and also his overall opinion of the rabbit. You can get the opinion of other breeders and get a chance to handle their rabbits so that you have some idea of what you are aiming for. Even if you do not get a place you should still aim to go home having learnt something. What you could have done better, what to look for and aim for next time you breed etc.