Do you REALLY show rabbits?.....Why, YES we do!
Just like conformation shows for dogs, cats, horses, steer, sheep, goats etc.....there are shows for rabbits. If I could sum up the experience in just three words:....FUN, THRILLING, ADDICTING! We showed dogs and horses in my younger years, but there is nothing quite like showing rabbits. Most of the physical work lies in their care and maintenance but the mental challenge is in studying their genetics, planning breedings and culling.
There are two kinds of "show people", those that buy the best of the best and prefer to show others's lines...not so much into the breeding aspect. And there are those that want to breed and show their own rabbits. Winning with a "homegrown" (one YOU produced in your rabbitry) is the ultimate satisfaction (for us anyway :).
So, you think you might want to get involved in showing...here are some rabbit lingo and advice to get you started.
There are different types of shows and can be different terminology used. There are shows that are ARBA sanctioned and judged by ARBA judges. Then you have fairs and non-ARBA sanctioned shows. The terms below are used for ARBA sanctioned shows.
Show Terms:
Open - adults and youth may show in open
Youth - 5 yrs to 18 yrs
Double Open/ Double Youth - two Open shows and two Youth shows
First in Class - best rabbit in its class
For example, in Jersey Woolies, the best jr. aqouti doe refers to the doe that beat all the other jr. Agouti does. To earn a Leg from ARBA, you must satisfy the 3/5 rule (3 exhibitors / 5 rabbits in the class). Most breeds have 4 classes (sr. buck, sr. doe, jr. buck, jr. doe) but some of the larger and meat breeds have 2 additional classes (intermediate buck, intermediate doe). Please check your show catalog for each and every show.
Best of Group (BOG) -
For example, Jersey Woolies are one of those breeds lumped together in groups and judged.
Chestnut, Opal, Chinchilla, Squirrel in the Agouti group, so all of the "varieties" of Agouti are lumped together in a group and will compete for BOG.
Black otter, blue otter, sable marten, silver marten and smoke pearl marten in the Tan group
Black, blue, chocolate, lilac, REW and BEW are in the Self group
*REW = red eyed white. *BEW = blue eyed white
Black tort, blue tort, sable point, seal, Siamese sable, smoke pearl in the Shaded group
Broken (any recognized breed pattern "broken" by white)
AOV (any other variety) - Pointed white (black or blue)
Best Opposite Sex Group (BOSG) - the opposite sex of the BOG
Best of Variety (BOV) -
Variety usually refers to color/pattern. For Hollands it is Solid or broken, regardless of the actual color. For Jersey Woolies it is Agouti, Tan, Self, Shaded, Broken and AOV.
Best Opposite Sex Variety (BOSV) - Opposite sex of the BOV winner
Best of Breed (BOB) - Rabbit beats all other rabbits/varieties of this breed
Best of Opposite Sex Breed (BOSB) - rabbit of the opposite sex of the BOB
BIS - Best in Show
This is the biggie! The one every rabbit breeder dreams of. To win BIS, your rabbit must have one best of breed (BOB) and then compete against all the other BOBs.
RBIS - Reserve Best in Show
Think of it as a second place only to Best in Show. Sometimes a show will have a second RIS.
There are two kinds of "show people", those that buy the best of the best and prefer to show others's lines...not so much into the breeding aspect. And there are those that want to breed and show their own rabbits. Winning with a "homegrown" (one YOU produced in your rabbitry) is the ultimate satisfaction (for us anyway :).
So, you think you might want to get involved in showing...here are some rabbit lingo and advice to get you started.
There are different types of shows and can be different terminology used. There are shows that are ARBA sanctioned and judged by ARBA judges. Then you have fairs and non-ARBA sanctioned shows. The terms below are used for ARBA sanctioned shows.
Show Terms:
Open - adults and youth may show in open
Youth - 5 yrs to 18 yrs
Double Open/ Double Youth - two Open shows and two Youth shows
First in Class - best rabbit in its class
For example, in Jersey Woolies, the best jr. aqouti doe refers to the doe that beat all the other jr. Agouti does. To earn a Leg from ARBA, you must satisfy the 3/5 rule (3 exhibitors / 5 rabbits in the class). Most breeds have 4 classes (sr. buck, sr. doe, jr. buck, jr. doe) but some of the larger and meat breeds have 2 additional classes (intermediate buck, intermediate doe). Please check your show catalog for each and every show.
Best of Group (BOG) -
For example, Jersey Woolies are one of those breeds lumped together in groups and judged.
Chestnut, Opal, Chinchilla, Squirrel in the Agouti group, so all of the "varieties" of Agouti are lumped together in a group and will compete for BOG.
Black otter, blue otter, sable marten, silver marten and smoke pearl marten in the Tan group
Black, blue, chocolate, lilac, REW and BEW are in the Self group
*REW = red eyed white. *BEW = blue eyed white
Black tort, blue tort, sable point, seal, Siamese sable, smoke pearl in the Shaded group
Broken (any recognized breed pattern "broken" by white)
AOV (any other variety) - Pointed white (black or blue)
Best Opposite Sex Group (BOSG) - the opposite sex of the BOG
Best of Variety (BOV) -
Variety usually refers to color/pattern. For Hollands it is Solid or broken, regardless of the actual color. For Jersey Woolies it is Agouti, Tan, Self, Shaded, Broken and AOV.
Best Opposite Sex Variety (BOSV) - Opposite sex of the BOV winner
Best of Breed (BOB) - Rabbit beats all other rabbits/varieties of this breed
Best of Opposite Sex Breed (BOSB) - rabbit of the opposite sex of the BOB
BIS - Best in Show
This is the biggie! The one every rabbit breeder dreams of. To win BIS, your rabbit must have one best of breed (BOB) and then compete against all the other BOBs.
RBIS - Reserve Best in Show
Think of it as a second place only to Best in Show. Sometimes a show will have a second RIS.
How to become a Grand Champion (GC)? *(ARBA sanctioned shows)
To become a GC, your rabbit must earn 3 legs and at least one of these legs must be earned as a senior. A "Leg" is earned for winning one of the above but for ARBA sanctioned shows the 3/5 rule must be met. (3 exhibitors, 5 rabbits in class). If the 3/5 is NOT satisfied, you will not earn a "leg". You will then receive a GC certificate with a GC # in the mail.
To become a GC, your rabbit must earn 3 legs and at least one of these legs must be earned as a senior. A "Leg" is earned for winning one of the above but for ARBA sanctioned shows the 3/5 rule must be met. (3 exhibitors, 5 rabbits in class). If the 3/5 is NOT satisfied, you will not earn a "leg". You will then receive a GC certificate with a GC # in the mail.
Show Your Buns, A Beginners Guide to Rabbit Shows
by Debi (Conro) Goldben
Click on the link to the left to go directly to Debi's site and purchase your downloadable copy today!
"This book is for the person who has never attended a rabbit show as well as those who have been to a few, but still aren’t quite sure about the whole thing. It is also a perfect addition to your sales packet for newbies: pedigree, ARBA membership application, breed club application, local club information, care and feeding information, Show Your Buns ,download certificate. Do you remember your first rabbit show?!?!?! Many questions are answered so folks feel comfortable at their first show rather than overwhelmed."
"This book is for the person who has never attended a rabbit show as well as those who have been to a few, but still aren’t quite sure about the whole thing. It is also a perfect addition to your sales packet for newbies: pedigree, ARBA membership application, breed club application, local club information, care and feeding information, Show Your Buns ,download certificate. Do you remember your first rabbit show?!?!?! Many questions are answered so folks feel comfortable at their first show rather than overwhelmed."
(c) 2013 Boxwood Acres
