7-15-12 Rabbit show report & conformation question

[caroline]

Went to a rabbit show yesterday and had a really good time. I talked to a number of people about various aspects of raising rabbits. Since I was the ONLY exhibitor of Standard Rex and both judges needed someone to clerk, I volunteered and got to be right there next to the judge and write down all his/her comments. Both judges were very complementary and helpful and willing to answer questions as we went along. I entered 11 rabbits and took 15. I actually ended up showing 13 since I sold 4 rabbits and 2 that were entered left before the second show so I substituted 2 new ones in the second show.
I was really gratified that my evaluation of my rabbits was pretty similar to [especially the 1st] judges’ opinion. I was also very excited that the 1st judge seemed to really like my Lynx rabbits, since they are my personal favorites. One thing that I didn’t take the time to learn more about was the one fault that was mentioned with several of my rabbits. It was something about the shoulders. Either they were too long or a little low.

I’d like to learn more about what an ideal shoulder looks like and find a [brown based] standard Rex buck that has them. Any pictures or information that anyone can share with me would be gratefully appreciated. And any standard Rex breeders that want to show up at some central California shows would be WELCOMED. I may have to get my husband and daughter ARBA and NRRC memberships so that our rabbits can get credit for their wins. When it’s only me showing rabbits, even if the judge really says nice things, I don’t get the same kind of credit with the breed association that is given when there are 3 or more exhibitors. There are several shows between now and the beginning of September in Monterey. The weather is almost NEVER hot there. So bring your REX rabbits to the shows!

 

[tnelsonfla]

We have some very talented Rex breeders on this forum so I am sure you'll get some input. But yes when showing a breed which has low number of breeders but sufficient numbers it is common to see the entire family show atleast 1 rabbit to get legs or prize $$, assuming there is a sanction, or you could pay the fee for the sanction one year and then afterwards the club may pay the sanction for you.

 

[Peach]

That's great to hear that your Lynx did so well (even against yourself. You know a lot more about your herd now)! It's a difficult color to show with I hear with the rex. If the problem is with your shoulders, I would maybe sell one or two of your "weakest" rabbits and try to find rabbits with killer shoulders. If they are long, you will notice when you pose them there is a gap between the neck and body. If they are weak, you will pose your rabbits and notice that their shoulders don't fill out your hand when you run it over them. I recently had a top standard lynx rex breeder help me cull out jr. Mini Lops ( he also raised Mini Lops for 15 years. Along with others) and he help me get a feel for weak shoulders and hindquarters. He also showed me (because I'm really short) to get on a high surface and look down on the rabbit. You will see that they are narrow instead of filled out. He also helped me get a feel for dense and not dense fur. He's still teaching me many things and is always happy to lend a hand. If you can meet someone local and with experience, it helps! There is always a give and take with each rabbit, you just got to learn how to mix them correctly so that they produce something better than themselves

 

[skysthelimit]

There are only ten rex breeders that belong to the Ohio club, so if we don't get together, then there is basically no competition. i don't have kids, so no family members interested in taking rabbits to shows. That's why I picked up the mini rex and hollands.

Low shoulder and long shoulder are a hard thing to correct on the rex, mainly because it is a fault that is so prevalent. When completing against other rex, it's not so bad, because we all have to deal with it. I have been culling low shoulders.
I don't think my breeder would mind, here is her page http://ayrerabbitry.webs.com/availablenestbox.htm. She has RW48, and she says he's a bit long in the shoulder. The rise should start from the back of the neck, he looks like he has a few inches between the nap and the start of the rise. I'm not sure how to describe low shoulder, I have some pictures I posted in the Find my keepers thread. I will look for them. I cull low shoulder. I'd like to cull long shoulder, but it's hard to find better.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Caroline,

I signed my whole family up for ARBA, too. I went with the 3 year membership, mostly because I registered my rabbitry name, and if membership lapses you lose that. Also, I was not notified that my prior one year membership was due until after the fact, so I lapsed once already, but it was only my membership.

It would take me about 5 hours to get to Monterey, so I probably wont be able to come. Congrats on the positive comments! I have heard that the further East you go, the better the Rex get as to type.

I will be getting a chocolate and a lilac Rex from OneAcreFarm in a little over a week. Maybe we could arrange to meet at a show once I have some rabbits for sale out of her lines.

 

[skysthelimit]

I have heard that the further East you go, the better the Rex get as to type.

Really? I've always heard the further west you go, the faster they grow, the bigger they get, and in colors long forgotten over here.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Urban Legends of Standard Rex... the mini-series.

 

[skysthelimit]

Urban Legends of Standard Rex... the mini-series.

ROTFL :loveamerica:

 

[caroline]

thanks for the tips and the info about the common Rex shoulder issue. I guess I will start looking at that more critically when deciding which are keepers.
BTW Sky, my husband is flying to Cleveland in August for his 50th HS reunion in Tiffin. Wonder if I could sneak a bunny into his carry on :beammeup:

 

[skysthelimit]

thanks for the tips and the info about the common Rex shoulder issue. I guess I will start looking at that more critically when deciding which are keepers.
BTW Sky, my husband is flying to Cleveland in August for his 50th HS reunion in Tiffin. Wonder if I could sneak a bunny into his carry on :beammeup:

Just in case that is seriously possible, I'm ordering up a lynx or chocolate doe, of any age

He could use a picnic basket, or one of those small doggy carry ons. It's not like bunnies make a lot of noise

 

[MamaSheepdog]

BTW Sky, my husband is flying to Cleveland in August for his 50th HS reunion in Tiffin. Wonder if I could sneak a bunny into his carry on

Just in case that is seriously possible, I'm ordering up a lynx or chocolate doe, of any age

He could use a picnic basket, or one of those small doggy carry ons. It's not like bunnies make a lot of noise

OAF is flying Frontier Airlines, and is allowed two rabbits in an under-the-seat carrier for $75 each way. The rabbits count as carry on. She is bringing me two rabbits, and taking two of mine home. We are doing a straight trade, and paying our own airfare.

You guys should do it!

 

[JessicaR]

thanks for the tips and the info about the common Rex shoulder issue. I guess I will start looking at that more critically when deciding which are keepers.
BTW Sky, my husband is flying to Cleveland in August for his 50th HS reunion in Tiffin. Wonder if I could sneak a bunny into his carry on :beammeup:

sorry for going off topic but... Did your husband go to Columbian or Calvert? I went to Columbian graduated in '96

I really like the lynx color, very pretty. I have been thinking about getting standard rexes myself.

 

[SatinsRule]

Lynx is a variety which you don't see very often at most local shows. When they cross the table, they're bound to get alot of attention for that reason alone. That is a sharp rabbit in the picture.

 

[caroline]

Thanks for the complement on Gumbo. Here's Jambalaya the broken Lynx buck that got BOB @ the 2nd show. I put him on a hay only diet before the show since he was over 10 lbs. A happy problem, as far as I was concerned.<br /><br />__________ Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:44 am __________<br /><br />

BTW Sky, my husband is flying to Cleveland in August for his 50th HS reunion in Tiffin. Wonder if I could sneak a bunny into his carry on

Just in case that is seriously possible, I'm ordering up a lynx or chocolate doe, of any age

He could use a picnic basket, or one of those small doggy carry ons. It's not like bunnies make a lot of noise

OAF is flying Frontier Airlines, and is allowed two rabbits in an under-the-seat carrier for $75 each way. The rabbits count as carry on. She is bringing me two rabbits, and taking two of mine home. We are doing a straight trade, and paying our own airfare.

You guys should do it!

Well American Airlines told me "dogs and cats only." Could I get the ears to "flop" and claim it was a beagle?

 

[skysthelimit]

LOL. A 10lb buck is pretty big, see I heard they are bigger on the west coast I looked at the pedigree of a doe I got back in April for the first time. I didn't get it when I picked her up because the breeder was at a show, and she's the same breeder I get all my rabbits from. I hadn't weighed the doe, but it said she was 10lbs! She would be the biggest doe I have.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

OAF is flying Frontier Airlines, and is allowed two rabbits in an under-the-seat carrier for $75 each way. The rabbits count as carry on. She is bringing me two rabbits, and taking two of mine home. We are doing a straight trade, and paying our own airfare.

You guys should do it!

Well American Airlines told me "dogs and cats only." Could I get the ears to "flop" and claim it was a beagle?

You could claim it was an "Emotional Support Animal" and they would have to let you bring it... :twisted:

 

[caroline]

OAF is flying Frontier Airlines, and is allowed two rabbits in an under-the-seat carrier for $75 each way. The rabbits count as carry on. She is bringing me two rabbits, and taking two of mine home. We are doing a straight trade, and paying our own airfare.

You guys should do it!

Well American Airlines told me "dogs and cats only." Could I get the ears to "flop" and claim it was a beagle?

You could claim it was an "Emotional Support Animal" and they would have to let you bring it... :twisted:

Actually if my husband really carried a rabbit onto the plane I know he would NEED emotional support. He's a sweetie about doing ANY building project but he still can't carry a bunny without needing a band aid most of the time

 

[MamaSheepdog]

You could claim it was an "Emotional Support Animal" and they would have to let you bring it... :twisted:

:rotfl:

Gotta love that Sistah of mine! Always thinking outside of the box...