Critique this Rex doe?

[Pepperoni]

I'm totally new to the idea of showing rabbits. We've just raised them for meat and the occasional pet sales so I'm not familiar with standards. Used to just focus on health, mothering ability and litter size. Now I want to start showing my Rex on occasion. I need to order the SOP I know, but in the mean time I'll just ask for your thoughts.

Anyway, I have this black Rex doe. She's 4.5 months old. Just looking for some feedback on her. She doesn't have a complete pedigree, missing a couple of great grandparents.

Sorry the pics aren't the best, I can get more if needed

 

[Dood]

I breed American Chinchillas, not standard rex but they both are supposed to have a commercial body type.

In my opinion your doe looks more mandolin shaped. Her shoulders are pretty weak, they need to be 'beefier' to do well at shows. She also seems a bit too long in the body but that could just be posing.

I cannot judge her fur quality from the picture but I dont see anything too terrible.

A view from above would help see her width and the shape of her frame.

 

[Pepperoni]

Thanks for your response. Like I said, I don't really have any idea about what I'm looking for. Hopefully I've got her posed a bit better, she is being difficult. I'm more of a hands on learner and probably just need to get with someone who can let me feel a really nice animal over.

If I've read things correctly then I think I shouldn't be able to see her hips in the photo from above? And she's molting a bit. Even if she wasn't losing hair I think her coat is either too soft or too long or both? I read that if I run my hand backwards through her coat it should offer "springy resistance", and not leave a handprint if I put my hand on it. It leaves a bit of an imprint so what does that mean?

I'm totally prepared for and accepting of negative critiques of this doe. After all, I am just starting out and not sure of what I am looking for, and I can't make progress if I don't know what is wrong. And even if she's not a great example of the breed i will more than likely keep her around because I like her personality and she can contribute to the meat herd.

 

[Peach]

I feel she is a bit hippy, but not awful. Her fur looks too soft. I'm not as familiar with the breed, but I go try to learn a bit about them. I've been fortunate to be friends with a very excellent Mini Rex breeder here in the South and have been able to put my hands on some of his BOB Convention winners,BIS animals, etc. I know when starting out, nobody can be an instant success overnight. It takes time.

To check her fur density, you want to blow into her fur, and see if you can see the skin. When it is rather difficult to make that happen, or none at all, you have a very dense coat.

There are different kinds of Rex coats. You should look in the Breeder's and Buyers Guide to Type Traits by Cindy Campbell-Servis @ the Icebox Rabbitry. She breeds Mini Rex, but it is a nice book to have on hand. It's nothing like putting your hands on an animal, but it is helpful.

Here's a helpful link to articles on her website:http://iceboxrabbitry.homestead.com/articles.html

I feel you doe is longer in the shoulder, but I know that's a common problem with the breed. They aren't easy. A friend had them nearby one upon a time, but sold out for Mini Lops. They were very beautiful but very large!

 

[Pepperoni]

Thanks, Peach. I found those articles to be very helpful.