How to Judge Rabbits? (Harlequins and Lionheads)

[HHRR]

I am new to the rabbit world and want to get into the show business. But, I have NO IDEA how to judge/evaluate them. I have Lionheads and Harlequins (Japs and Mags). Could anyone help me and give me ideas on how to see how show quality my rabbits are. I can post pictures if need be. :bunnyhop: ancake:

 

[3mina]

Do you have the standard of perfection for your breeds? It's an invaluable resource for making sure you're on the right track with your show stock. It's available from the ARBA store online.
The next edition should have lionheads in it since they passed at convention this year.

 

[Northwinds Rabbitry]

Just google how to pose lionheads and then a few websites will come up with things to look for and how to pose and evaluate etc really good website out there and ya the standard of perfection is great

 

[Peach]

Check out the lop head club,they carry the standard on their website However, Lionheads will not be eligible for legs or BIS I believe until February? As they were just recently accepted.

Harlequins are kinda an nteresting breed. I think like 5 points for overall type and then most is markings. It's a breed you just can cull based on pretty much markings alone. People are working on improving type with them with outcrossing to red NZW, but that also takes a lot of culling to get them back to their original look. The markings are a crap shoot for the most part. Not sure how they do on the pet market, but a good breed to raise if you like to eat them.<br /><br />__________ Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:14 pm __________<br /><br />Auto correct...grrrr

Lionhead club*

 

[AprilW]

The Standard of Perfection (SOP) is useful, but some of the terminology can be confusing. I learned best by seeing and feeling rabbits in person. If you have a breeder near you who could be your mentor, that is the way to go.

I raised Harlequins for a *very* brief time. They are posed in commercial type, similar to a New Zealand which I currently have:

Here is the above picture with some lines so I can try to explain what you are looking for.

We'll work from head to tail. The head should be blocky with proportionate ear length. The ears should have a strong base, they should be thick and well furred (can't see skin on the backs of the ears).

The arrow shows a gap. This rabbit is a tad bit long in the shoulders. You don't want a lot of space between the back of the head and where the back starts to rise, approximately 2 finger widths is too much.

The lines at the front and rear feet show where the feet should be placed. The front feet should be under the eye and the rear feet should be aligned with the hip. The line going all the way top to bottom on the rabbit shows the depth. You want a deep body. This rabbit could stand to be deeper in the shoulder also, although he is better than some of my own rabbits.

Now, look at the hindquarter where I drew 2 curved lines. The red line follows the rabbit's actual shape. See how it tucks in at the bottom? This means the rabbit is "undercut" and lacks "fullness" in the hindquarter. You can also see how the rabbit's rear toes stick out some, he is lacking width in the hindquarter -- you can more easily observe this by flipping the rabbit on his back on your lap and examining the natural positioning of the feet. Wide and good: | | Pinched/Narrow: \ / (the feet form a V).

Back to the lines, the black line shows what a good hindquarter would look like. In a proper pose, you can look at the rabbit from above. You want the rabbit to be wide from shoulder to hindquarter.

Additionally, Harlequins are a marked breed. This means they have to present certain markings (color alterations) to be showable. I don't remember the minimum required markings, but I believe you can find decent diagrams online.

** Disclaimer: In my experience, many breeders and even rabbit judges don't put much stock into the conformation/type of Harlequins. I have seen judges choose winners based only on markings. I disagree with this practice, but what can you do?

I hope this helps you!

 

[skysthelimit]

Markings for a harlequin- 5-7 alternating black and orange band or bars beginning with the chest. It's a bit trick, and supposedly you cull more often than not. We were having this discussion on the Rex page as to why other breeds do not accept harlequin as a color, but accept tri color. The marking are a little complicated.

 

[Bill]

HHRR there are 2 shows coming up in November in Florida. One in Bartow and another in Ocala. Shows can be great places to learn.

 

[amandainohio24]

If you go to the NALRC (north American lionhead rabbit club) you will find information on how to pose and what you are specifically looking for in each variety that has currently has a COD pulled for it.