Tag Archives: Rabbit Show

by | April 23, 2011 · 11:46 pm

Lotsa Fun!

I am not sure about others but I really had a blast at our Rabbit Fun Show & Gathering event. The best part for me is being able to reach out to real people after so long of blogging. The people are simply amazing. I was a little worried in the beginning because we only had 1 guest arrived at 4.30pm and the event was scheduled to start at 5pm. We had about 26 guests in total and 10 rabbits competing for the top 5 spot.

The number of people in the crowd was just nice and we all fit snugly into XOXO Pets Store. The refreshment/dinner was superb. I just like how the entire small event went. The crowd really made all the preparation worth it! We even have live facebook updates!

Thank you so much to everyone who attending. We shall have more of these gathering soon!

Beautiful Doorgift

Show Table and Prizes

Food!

More food!

Nice Crowd

Talking while Symphony distracted attention!

Giving tips on making cage comfortable for rabbits

Really nice crowd to share the knowledge

Getting on the floor to show how to trance a rabbit so that a simple health check can be done

Sharing is caring

Nice bunny....

The game called "Judge The Bunny" where the guests and everyone present be the judge.

Nice Lionhead

Tabulating the score

This is 60% of the team. There's only 5 of us organizing this event. 1 day of planning, 5 days of work & promoting, 26 guests in total, 10 rabbits and 5 happy winners.

Winners and their rabbits

Everyone gets a certification of participation!

With some of the guests

Happy and tired at the same time

There were of course some glitches and we shall improvise on them later. I really enjoyed myself organizing this event and even happier to work with a small but efficient team. Great job to everyone involved!

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by | April 2, 2011 · 5:07 pm

Pets first, all else later…

Today, I would like to ask all of you to just take a good look at your rabbit(s) and ask yourselves one question – What do you see?

As I go on a bunny website hopping morning, I cannot help but to admire breeders who are constantly working on their herd but never once lament not winning anything. For them the rabbits are truly their pets and they love them as they are not as how many ribbons/medals that come with them. These breeders are in fact enjoying their hobby. No worries at all whether or not they are winning. Even if they win, it’s not a big deal to them. It takes a lot not to be sucked into the competition and I really take my hats off these breeders. And you know what? Their rabbits are really beautiful too.

What do you really see? Do you feel guilty for putting so much weight on its shoulders? Those little tiny shoulders. Yes, your human hope + aspiration + ambition + expectation, all in one is placed on this little tiny creature we all call rabbit.

Can you live with that?

I just can’t. They are my pets first, all else doesn’t matter so they come later…

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Their Destiny, Your Decision...

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by | April 2, 2011 · 2:47 pm

Do It For All The Right Reasons

Looking at the frequency of my blog update, you can guess how busy I am. Yes, I am really tied up at the moment with many things on hand. But nonetheless, even during my busy schedule, I do observe happenings in the rabbit world (in Malaysia) that causes a little disappointment (that’s if I really care that much).

I did write about the influx in Show Rabbit importation a few months back before the avalanche of the show fever hit Malaysia. 4th June 2011, is a date to look forward to by many enthusiasts. The show entries has been increasing slowly and steadily.

I just wanted to share my personal thoughts on importation of Show Quality animals. Recalling back to the first time I imported a rabbit, my #1 reason to do so was to start off a good herd of rabbits. I have no intention to show or whatsoever as there isn’t any rabbit show in Malaysia at that time. If there were, I would participate just for the fun of it and see where I stand with my stocks and continue working with them (all in the name of hobby).

Fast forward today, I see rabbit selling by the number of legs. Doesn’t make sense to me at all. Who are we cheating here? OURSELVES. How can this hobby be sustainable, I have mentioned many times before, it needs to be fuelled by passion. Passion for what? Passion for Winning, Passion for Money or Passion for Fame? HELL NO!

Passion for developing the “PERFECT” rabbit “NEAREST” to the “STANDARD OF PERFECTION”. Is the standard of perfection a mere illusion of our imagination? It saddens me today that new hobbyists are oblivious to the SOP which has been written down so clearly and completely. They also depend on others to judge the soundness of their rabbits instead of having their own opinion and judgment. SOP is one and interpretation of it is another. Each human being have a unique mind of its own and thus, may have different interpretation of the standard.

“I am special and so are you!”

I am not questioning the creditability and honour given to judges to officially state their opinions on rabbits that they judge. I am really saying that at the end of the day, all human beings have the right to have their opinions, preferences and idea how a perfect rabbit should be. I am also not denying the fact that the more GC legs a rabbit has, the nearer it is to the standard. But it must not end just here, what is this rabbit used for is utmost important.

That being said and coming back to my point, I do not deny the fact that winning at a show may earn you some points but what’s next? Here are some questions I ask myself constantly while working with my herd of rabbits:

1. If Grand Champs guarantees grand champ offspring(babies), why are top winning breeders not topping the charts every single year?

2. Why winners are different under different judges?

3. Why are breeders still breeding to win?

4. Why are some breeders out of the chart altogether after placing average in a certain show year?

I would like to answer this one before I forget. You see, for some, the reason for winning is to gain a fast reputation to pull off a quick sale. Normally breeder like these would churn out as much rabbits regardless of quality and sell them off using their short-lived winnings. Truth be told, they last as much as the money can sustain them. They will reappear when the money silo is low.

5. The questions get simpler. I always ask myself why can’t I make copies of my best rabbits in my herd.

What I am trying to say is that, winning and losing will never last. Winners will never win forever and losers will never lose forever. Every dog has its day so they say…

With all due respect, buying off Grand Champions to continue the winning streak is like cheating in an examination – cheating of oneself that is. I know many breeders will hate me for that statement or at least most will disagree with me. A rabbit really only have 4 legs, mind you but many will also disagree with me on this (:P).

There is a craze to collect rabbits with many legs. THIS IS SO WRONG! All a rabbit needs to be a Grand Champion is only obtaining 3 GC legs. The extra legs are just icing on top of the cake. How many Grand Champion (GC) Certificate do you think a rabbit can obtain? 21 GC Legs DO NOT EQUATE to 7 certificates!

WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! SALAH! SALAH! SALAH!

What is the real deal here? Why are we in this hobby then?

You must not be a collector of Rabbits with GC legs BUT, a breeder that produces Rabbits that collect GC legs. Please read that statement many times over as it is even confused to myself – LOL.

In my humble opinion, below are just what a real breeder’s objectives should be (far reaching ones too):

1) Building a winning  herd that has at least 8 generations of rabbits holding the rabbitry’s prefix – one’s own rabbit lineage

2) Taking pride in “Granding” home grown rabbits

But alas, as long we are humans with different and unique thinking and opinion, these will never materialize. And most importantly, we shall all have fun admiring all rabbits 50 legs, 100 legs or even 1000 legs.

I may not win or place at all in the show, but at least I LOSE the RIGHT WAY…

Happy showing everyone and everybun, please remember to submit your show entries today!

Useful links:

1) Show Entry FAQ

2) Show Catalog & Entry Forms

3) The Show Explained

4) Mode of Payment

5) Please also get in touch with us to show your interest in the – Rabbit Talk

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by | March 6, 2011 · 10:28 pm

What Winning Means To Me?

I suddenly felt the urge to write a long post today. I hope this post would serve as a reminder for all of us what it means to have a hobby.

Let’s begin with a few questions:

1. What is the price to pay for winning?

2. What are the reasons for winning?

3. Why is winning so important?

As you all may know, I am currently taking the lead to get the ARBA Sanctioned Rabbit Shows up and running come 4th June 2011. It is not an easy task but I am really looking forward to it.

Also on the other hand, many people approached me and said to me, “Now with so much hype and publicity surrounding you, how would you feel or what will you do if you do not win?”. My answer is pretty simple, the hype and publicity is not about me, but my rabbits. All the newspaper articles was really featuring my rabbits, not me! I am but an instrument to bring forth the realization of the general public of this hobby and the Holland Lop breed.

Do allow me to answer the above questions one at a time:

1. What is the price to pay for winning?

I believe the 3 questions above are very much related. We have to first ask ourselves, why do we want to win so badly?

There are many rabbit breeders in this world with different intentions. My main intention is to build a community of rabbit lovers (I repeat, rabbit lovers) that emphasize on the well being of the rabbits regardless of breeds. For breeders, I hope it is a platform to build a community of ethical and responsible breeders working hard towards improving the breeds of their interest.

With that said, I really do not mind who takes home the largest trophy of the day because we all should be proud that we have really good rabbits that will be given due recognition for their close adherence to the Standard Of Perfection.

But I must say that most of the time, winning is a pride thing.

Some want it for all the wrong reasons. Winnings can bring a windfall to rabbit sales, that we cannot deny because everyone wants a piece of the winning cake. But this reason for winning may get the best of us. There are many things one can do for the sake of getting to the top.

Honestly, if I really want to win the following are some of the things that I might have done or will do and I do not mean to question the integrity of the judges:

1. Engage someone who have sold me some rabbits to judge and make sure I win. With the win, I can boast to the world and mark up the prices of my rabbits.

2. Import all the Grand Champions of the world to stay a Grand Champion in the circuit.

But hell no, the first thing that came to my mind when we decided to organize a show is to do some homework and find out which judge/judges has not send anything over here. We want everyone to compete on the same level. And to be very honest, I really hope that a Malaysian homegrown rabbit would win BIS.  Which means a rabbit that has been bred from imported lines and possesses/retained the good traits fit to compete with the imports. That is utmost important. Of course that would be ideal but not realistic at this juncture as many has only just started importing.

2. What are the reasons for winning?

When we seek to improve, competition gives us the platform to do just that. Firstly, we will not know what we are lacking without an examination. A conformation show is nothing but an examination of our rabbits against the standards laid down. Winning will only tell us how far or near we are to being perfect. Nothing is perfect of course.

At the end of the day and as I have mentioned countless times, this is but a hobby for me. But to some, hobby may be turned into business. The main reason for winning sometimes may be the recognition needed to boost business. Making it a business while still holding steadfast to the major principle for breeding (improvement of breed) would be acceptable (I guess). The problem arise when we abandon the quality for quantity that can be translated in to riches.

3. Why is winning so important?

Perhaps this question is related to the preceding one. But really, we must ask ourselves why is it so important to win. Winning is a prideful thing. It gives us affirmation that we are the best. Now you should have noticed that I use – WE and I. Who are WE and I? Yes, we humans desires the win. Do you really think that the rabbit knows? Perhaps some would know as some pets are known to yearn of affirmation and praises.

The hobby turns ugly when winning becomes important. The attention shifts from the rabbits to their owners instead. “My rabbit wins BIS”, “I am the best breeder in Malaysia” and the I continues to be amplified.

Lastly, I would like to use the 3 words my dear Momma Cheri uses all the time:

Fellowship

Without the fellowship, Frodo can’t get to his destination. Whether you are the organizers or not, let’s look out for each other, laugh and cry with each other, enjoy the moments with each other and surround ourselves with people who understand our craziness over the rabbits. This is the place where we all speak the same bunny language (there will be a lot of humans doing binkies when winners are announced).

Friendship

Let’s ask ourselves this question, “What is the average lifespan of a rabbit against the average lifespan of a human being?”

Yes, we must build this community of PEOPLE with the SAME HOBBY. Rabbits come and go whether or not they are Best In Show winners. Even reputation last longer than rabbits. Without the human, there will not be a rabbit hobby. It is the hobby that sustains the friendship.

Fun

Not forgetting to take things less seriously and have fun. Congratulate a winner, laugh hard at all the shortcomings (not without landing a hand of course) and savor the joyful moments.

In competition there will always be winners and losers. And as Momma Cheri always say….

At any given day, any given judge and given rabbits…

A show that everyone enjoys to the fullest and to crown (as winners) the most beautiful rabbit among all the beautiful rabbits present is WHAT WINNING MEANS TO ME…

P.S.: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA CHERI! We love you tons and millions. One of my biggest pillars of strength in this hobby. This post is also inspired by Rev. Fr. S L. Inspiring sermon today. Yes, we are called to be gatherers!

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by | March 2, 2011 · 9:39 pm

Rabbit Conference

MROC will be organizing a rabbit talk by Mr. Randy Shumaker and Mr. Allen Mesick. We are trying to gather enough headcount to book a conference room in Cititel Hotel, Mid Valley. Please respond if you are interested so that we can get this moving as well.

Tentatively, here are the details:

Venue: Cititel Hotel

Date: 5th June 2011

Proposed Time: 10 am to 1 pm or 10 am to 5 pm

Proposed Fee: Between RM 25 (half day) and RM 45 (full day)

Topics: Anything and everything about rabbits (to be confirmed)

Please leave a comment here or email Mr. Valjean at valjeanlee@gmail.com to express your interest.

This is a good opportunity for rabbit lovers to learn more about rabbits especially those who are interested in breeding show rabbits.

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by | July 17, 2009 · 3:10 pm

Rabbit Shows: The Way They Do It In US

I am feeling a little under the weather today. Not that I am ill but I am quite sick of what’s been happening all around especially the news. At times like these, I turn to my solace, my blog.

I have seen many photos taken at shows and I realized that I have been talking a lot about rabbit shows but somehow have not taken the time to post photos of rabbit shows. Thanks to my dear friend Teri Reymann of sonshinerabbitry.net. I was able to obtain some photos to share with all of  you. I really have to thank Teri for allowing me to have these photos.

Their outdoor shows are equally as impressive as those held indoors. Just take a look at these photos:

Triple Crown show held last weekend

Triple Crown show held last weekend

A Judge judging broken tort Hollands

A Judge judging broken tort Hollands

Here are some photos taken at the Washington State Convention:

It could get rather messy but interesting!

It could get rather messy but interesting!

Judging tables and coops

Judging tables and coops

Massive isn't it?

Massive isn't it?

Grooming tables are familiar sights at shows

Grooming tables are familiar sights at shows

So as you can see, a show is all about bringing people together and having fun. It does not matter where and when it is held, as long as everyone goes home happy after having a jolly good time with friends.

Let’s look forward for shows like these shall we?

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by | July 9, 2009 · 2:45 pm

Rabbit Club Anyone?

Let’s have a poll to gauge on whether or not we will have the number to form a rabbit club in Malaysia. This club welcomes all owners be it pure bred or not. Major functions of the club:

1) A central repository of rabbit owners, breeders and enthusiasts

2) Organize shows for pedigreed, non-pedigreed and neutered rabbits. Future vision include “road trip” show where members go across to other states for shows (state representatives to organize shows of course)

3) Proposed monthly newsletter to inform of happenings

Malaysia Rabbit Club/Society sounds good? What say you?

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by | July 4, 2009 · 11:00 pm

With That, Our 1st BRIS!

I came home late last night and as I was doing the usual clean up, I placed Truffles up on the grooming table. And I got this photo:

Posing For Me

The 1st Malaysia Rabbit Show is to be held tomorrow and I thought it would be nice for him to be in just for the fun of it. Not to win but just to let this little inquisitive rascal have a go at a show. I certainly did not intend to win at all. So I called up Nico and asked if she could register him together for me since I have some errands to do in the morning and afraid I was going to be late for the show. A big part of me wanted my daughter Beth to be there just for the fun of it. Unfortunately I had to leave without her and my wife because she needs her usual nap in the afternoon.

Nico - she helped register Truffles for me

Nico - she helped register Truffles for me

Showing me the butt in disapproval!

Showing me the butt in disapproval!

The contender: If it wasn't for the heavy molt, Truffles might have lost to this guy!

The contender: If it wasn't for the heavy molt, Truffles might have lost to this guy!

Little Truffles being naughty and perky!

Little Truffles being naughty and perky!

So here I was passing Truffles over to the officials to be weighed. At 5 months old, he weighs 1.2 kg which was way below the 1.6 kg mark. There he go unto the show table!

From what I gathered, there were only 4 breeders/owners showing Holland Lops. There were roughly 20 Holland Lops separated in 4 groups namely Solid Buck, Solid Doe, Broken Buck and Broken Doe. There were no classes for juniors so Truffles joined the Broken Buck category.

Being Judged by Christina

Being Judged by Christina

A very well behaved Truffles with his proud owner snapping this photo

A very well behaved Truffles with his proud owner snapping this photo

Photo courtesy of RSF

Photo courtesy of RSF

Before I continue with this long story, please allow me to give credit to Beh & Yo Rabbitry, Pet Shack, Pet Lover Centre, Jaanu & her bf, Bebee & her bf, CocoJune & Nico for putting up together this well organized rabbit show.

Down to top 10!

Down to top 10!

I must say it is a good start for the Malaysia rabbit market in general. I hope next year we’ll have ARBA sanctioned show. But the best part of it all is that I met a lot of nice people and it was all the friends who came. Darma, thanks for making the effort to come. You really helped me a lot today!

Friends are all we need in a show!

Friends are all we need in a show!

We finally met up!

We finally met up!

Very proud of the HLRSC t-shirt Aunt Karen bought me! Love it! Always helping me keep my head held up high! I met so many new friends. I hope all of you are reading this now. Thanks for striking a chat with me. Really appreciate it.

So let’s see what I won. Beside the trophies and ribbon, I got free vouchers. Let’s calculate how much I won in cash value (we were shopping after the show). You see, I always believe in sharing the win with fellow friends. So this was how I shared out the winnings:

1) I had $300 myself

2) $150 to Miss Nico

3) Bebee conned me off my $200 (just kidding!)

4) Darma went home with $200 worth of Oxbow product

Please correct me if I am wrong guys! LOL!

I am just too lost for words at the moment. There are so much to write but I just can’t find the right words.

The score card

The score card

The judging was long and there were quite a number of nice Holland Lops. I wasn’t too interested in the rest of the breeds so I did not keep track of all that is happening over that end. I was very surprised when Truffles was transferred to the main stage and later announced as Best In Group for Broken Bucks (no junior group). Christina requested the breeder to come forward and so being an abiding person, I followed her instructions and went up on stage. I shook hands with both Kenneth and her and introduced myself. Christina seemed to look surprise to see me. Then the Best of Breed was announced and I did not think of it too much. Then Truffles got called for Best Opposite Sex of Breed. I thought that was the last.

The Winners!

The Winners!

Best of Opposite Sex of Breed

Best of Opposite Sex of Breed

My head almost pop when I heard he got BRIS!!!! That’s Best Reserve In Show baby!

Can someone send me a clearer photo please?

Can someone send me a clearer photo please?

Best In Show. A Broken Tort Senior Doe

Best In Show. A Broken Tort Senior Doe. I was quite tickled when she gave Christina a little bite while she was judging. And Christina had to give her a little tap on the head.

Glad he poses naturally...

Glad he poses naturally...

Did not believe I won until I saw this photo!

Did not believe I won until I saw this photo!

The win was a sweet one for many reasons. Truffles is the best kit produced in my rabbitry to far. That makes him my own breeding. Winning with my own breeding is something that I would like to practice and it is a principle I would like to stand by. Truffles is only 5 months old and getting a BRIS is super cool! And thinking that I almost sold him earlier really made me felt lucky! Everything happens for a reason! Sorry for all the exclamation marks! Too excited!

Beth was still in bed when I came home. I showed her all the trophies and ribbon while telling her it was suppose to be her receiving them. She just smiled and said “Beth CHAMPION already, YAY!”

That's MINE!!!

That's MINE!!!

All mine!!!

All mine!!!

In the end, I just do not know how breeders in the US could withstand all the waiting. My back almost broke!

My boy posing with the "loot"

My boy posing with the "loot"

Enough posing already!

Enough posing already!

Thanks to Oxbow for the 2 months supply of Hay & food stuff!

I am adding in more details as I recall how this wonderful day went by. I am seriously looking forward for the next rabbit show. Christina mentioned to both Darma & me that she’ll bring along her good friend Randy Shumaker (if I remember the name correctly) whom is an ARBA licensed judge to come over to Malaysia and also hoping to get the show ARBA sanctioned. That would be lovely.

And so with that….

Great Fun!

Great Fun!

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by | July 3, 2009 · 8:53 am

Ouch, Counterfeit Judges Too?

HOW TO BE AN OFFICIAL JUDGE! (click here for the article)

My wife just reminded me this morning that I used to be a very aggressive blogger writing about my life experiences in general and how people are touched by my articles. I believe when we read something that we could relate to, we feel very enriching and hopeful. Most of my writings were often seen as challenges against the human conscience and principles.

The words fake and real are very closely related to good and bad. The biggest difference to set us human apart from the animal kingdom is our ability to judge between the right and the wrong. Yes, we are governed by a thing called CONSCIENCE for which without, the world would be doomed.

When I first started blogging about my rabbits, I promised myself to never again pull in the personal elements into my rabbit blog. It is quite impossible for me to do that now because this hobby runs in my blood. It has become a very personal part of my life. What is there to life if it is all about being discreet?

Piracy is one of the biggest challenges our entertainment industries is suffering at this very moment. Billions are lost through piracy. There are 2 sides of the coin in this issue. Are entertainment industries raking too much and it has became very unreasonable? I am a strong believer in equal distribution of wealth and therefore to a certain extent, calls for more affordable media products. Whatever it is, I do not deny the fact that piracy is wrong. But yet, many people are still supporting piracy through purchases. What piracy is really doing is ripping off actors, actresses, screen writers, production crews & many others their rightful “wage”.

How the heck raising rabbits move into the topic of piracy and counterfeit?

I have been following the rabbit show world for a while now and through the little understanding I have, I cannot help but to feel that the rabbit showing world is about to suffer a hard blow in what I believe to be the biggest insult it will ever experience. In fact, I feel sorry for ARBA because the biggest FARCE is about to take place.

With all due respect, I have high regards for all the people putting in the hard work and effort into making this event a successful one. But on the other hand, I just cannot help but to feel sorry for all ARBA registrars and licensed judges. I am talking about ARBA registered rabbitries and breeders doing NON-ARBA stuff! It really does feel like treason! LOL!

I do not deny the fact that life is all about having fun but at the same time I strongly hold on to the word INTEGRITY and CREDIBILITY. This is the true expression of my feelings because I was quite overwhelmed by it while I was chatting with someone who is currently working very hard to obtain an ARBA judge license.

I cannot help but to feel all the efforts one takes to be an ARBA judge will soon be proven futile and of no value. But then again, these are feelings that only people like myself would feel as not many take this rabbit fever all that seriously. But I hope people still return to their conscience to see the right from wrong.

By condoning this although it is fun, is an insult to the many people who have worked so very hard to be where they are.

I hope everyone reading this would understand the feeling and share the same sentiments as me. I am lost for words and I am sure many of you would too.

All I want to say is that, I will not deprived THUNDER, CLARK, HALEY & CARMEL of their rightful WORTH! For theirs should be a LICENSED ARBA judge no matter fun or real! No money can buy conscience & self-worth!

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

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by | February 7, 2009 · 4:26 pm

Showing Holland Lops

Out of interest, I have always follow Holland Lop shows in the US. I find it very interesting to know. Although I am not yet an expert in this field of showing rabbits (no practical experiences as yet), I will try to discuss what I know to the best of my knowledge.

The order of judging is Solid before Broken, Senior before Junior and Buck before Doe.

The show for Holland Lops starts off with 8 groups as listed below (in judging order):

1 ) Solid Senior Buck (SSB)

2 ) Solid Junior Buck (SJB)

3 ) Solid Senior Doe (SSD)

4 ) Solid Junior Doe (SJD)

5 ) Broken Senior Buck (BSB – not Backstreet Boys okie!?)

6 ) Broken Junior Buck (BJB)

7 ) Broken Senior Doe (BSD)

8 ) Broken Junior Doe (BJD)

In each group after they are judged, the best from each group will be called Group Winners.

The 8 (4 solids & 4 brokens) Group Winners then compete to get Best Of Group/Variety (if I am not wrong) and Best Opposite Sex of Group. There will only be 2 Best of Group rabbits one coming from Solid and Broken. And 2 Best Opposite Sex of Group rabbits again one coming from Solid and Broken. Only the 2 Best of Group &  2 Best Opposite Sex of Group will go on to compete for Best of Breed (BOB) & Best Opposite Sex (BOS).

For example, if out of the Class Winners, a Solid Senior Buck won Best of Group in Solids and a Broken Senior Buck won Best of Group in Broken, any one of them winning BOB would mean that their opposite sex rabbits will be chosen for BOS.

Rabbit shows normally have many breeds and all the BEST OF BREEDS will come together to compete for BEST IN SHOW (BIS) and also BEST RESERVE IN SHOW (BRIS).

Then how do your rabbit get Grand Champion?

It take 3 GC legs from 3 shows under at least 2 different judges to grand your rabbit. GC legs can be awarded starting to Class Winners. So it is not surprising if a rabbit can earn a few legs in a show. Rabbits with junior legs must have at least 1 senior leg to grand.

But there is a clause to awarding the GC legs. The requirements are that there should be at least 5 rabbits competing and at least 3 breeders represented. For example, 5 rabbits should be competing in the Solid Senior Buck category and they should be owned by at least 3 breeders. So the winner of this category will be able to earn a GC leg.

Important procedures before showing a rabbit:

The main reason that one shows his/her rabbits is to obtain a Grand Champions status. In order to grand a rabbit, the breeder will want to get it registered. The Registrar is the person that helps breeders in registering their rabbits. A registrar must register your rabbit by tattoing its right ear. These registrars are registered under ARBA and they will go through your rabbits physically to ensure that they do not have any disqualification. The rabbits that you desire to get registered must have a complete pedigree stating 3 GENERATIONS of rabbits (yes, all the way up to Great Grandparents).

So now you see why a PEDIGREE document is so important when you desire to get your rabbit on the show table. Not just a birth certificate but something that will show you reliable information of the lineage. It is to ensure you show a purebred rabbit instead of hybrids and mixed breeds.

Why 3 generations of rabbits in the PEDIGREE you might ask. A purebred rabbit is one with 3 generations of purebred ancestry. Meaning to say, all the way up to the great grandparents must be at least Holland Lops. Why wouldn’t they be Holland Lops? That is because, Holland Lops are still being developed and they may cross breed with another breed to enhance the color or fur texture. For more information on this topic, please refer to an old post I posted previously called F1, F2, F3, F4, Hybrid & Purebred?

Another interesting thing is that, the rabbit that you desire to show DO NOT need to be offspring of a show rabbit or even a registered rabbit (but they must be pedigreed). Whether showing rabbits or dogs, the sense of integrity and principles of a person is always put to the test. Show breeders that cares a great deal of their reputations will uphold good sense of showmanship.

What I have witness and have the honor to know about the local dog showing world is that, there are bound to be some breeders that do not take to not winning that well. They just cannot lose and therefore, may “tweak” the pedigrees just to get through the procedures. Unethical dog breeders in order to get their dogs registered has also resorted to using a dead dog’s pedigree to get pedigrees for some mixed breed puppies. I know of many dogs without pedigrees having pedigreed puppies.

So the best thing to do is not to take winning or losing that seriously. Just have FUN and in the midst of that, have a great FELLOWSHIP and make many great FRIENDSHIPS!

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