I'm very new to Rabbits!

[bopsbunnies]

I am very new to rabbits. I would love to show them but have no idea what I'm doing. I plan to go to a show and watch as soon as I can. From what I have read by by researching online is that the rabbit doesn't need a pedigree but must be pure bred and needs a tattoo in left ear. The idea of tatooing the ear scares me, I have no idea how to do that. I am coming from showing horses, not sure if there are any similarities. Any help or tips on how to get started would be much appreciated. Also, do people ever show rabbits for you? I'd love for someone with more experience to show them the first time and just watch.

I have Lionheads, American Fuzzy Lops and Netherland Dwarfs. Are there any colors that can't be shown or anything that is particularly different with any of these breeds? Most are JRs....

Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Showing rabbits is nothing like showing dogs or horses- no "handlers" are required. You just put your rabbit in its coop on the judging table and the rest is up to the judge.

Here is my post detailing my first rabbit show experience:

post56038.html

 

[Prisma]

Check out ARBA for shop for standard. I don't know how old but going to assume adult, MS post will be very helpful. Usually others do not show for others, there are rules against showing some one else's rabbit as your own. There are plenty willing to help, just ask when you go who might have time to help new person. You don't have to be an ARBA member to show at show, but must follow standards plus general rules, this is why sop is needed. Rabbits can be dq'ed for many things and each breed is different.

 

[Sagebrush]

Thank you so much for that link MSD. It helped a lot with most of my questions about showing. I cannot wait for a "local" show to appear around me. Anything 3 hours away is local :lol:

 

[fhjmom]

I don't know about lion heads or lops, but we just got into raising and showing Netherland Dwarfs. The cost of membership in the ANDRC is worth it to get the Guidebook they publish. It has been a great resource in learning about the breed standard as well as varieties and recommended breeding combinations for each. I have referred to it a lot as I try to learn more about our rabbits!

 

[Ptbunny8087]

I was in the same situation as you, went from horses, to rabbits. I thought tattooing was horrible for the rabbits! I was terrified! I read online that you can use a sharpie and just draw in there ears before a show and it work perfectly! I started to do that and evently got sick of doing it and just got the rabbits tattooed. At first I was scared but then realized the rabbit wasnt being hurt and was fine. To get them tattooed you can get a tattoo pen and do it yourself. Or you could ask a local rabbits breeder who would have a pen and do it for you.
When I first started showing I watched and learned. I also just took one rabbit and showed that one when I thought I was ready to show. It was easy to just show one and I was able to focus. Also ask a person at the shows to give you tips on showing.
For the coloring, you can check out ARBA website.

Hope it helps!

 

[fhjmom]

I was in the same situation as you, went from horses, to rabbits. I thought tattooing was horrible for the rabbits! I was terrified! I read online that you can use a sharpie and just draw in there ears before a show and it work perfectly! I started to do that and evently got sick of doing it and just got the rabbits tattooed. At first I was scared but then realized the rabbit wasnt being hurt and was fine. To get them tattooed you can get a tattoo pen and do it yourself. Or you could ask a local rabbits breeder who would have a pen and do it for you.
When I first started showing I watched and learned. I also just took one rabbit and showed that one when I thought I was ready to show. It was easy to just show one and I was able to focus. Also ask a person at the shows to give you tips on showing.
For the coloring, you can check out ARBA website.

Hope it helps!

ARBA rules state that rabbits must have a permanent tattoo in their left ear to show. If the judge realized that the ear was marked with a Sharpie instead of a tattoo, your rabbit should have been DQ'd. We are new to the show circuit and I have seen a judge question a tattoo twice, even in my very limited experience. Once was in a youth show and he even told the girl he should DQ her rabbit, but he let it slide after a stern talking to. It sounds like you got lucky with the Sharpie at a show, but it isn't something I would recommend to someone else.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I read online that you can use a sharpie and just draw in there ears before a show and it work perfectly!

If the judge realized that the ear was marked with a Sharpie instead of a tattoo, your rabbit should have been DQ'd.

I have seen judges rub questionable tattoos to see if they are marker or real tattoos. Most judges give people a lot of leeway and are very patient, but I have (rarely) seen rabbits DQ'd for very faded or illegible tattoos. Sometimes the exhibitor gets a warning to fix it before putting the rabbit on the table for the next show.

 

[3mina]

While we don't need handlers to show rabbits, I've sent rabbits to shows with others to shows I couldn't get to. I just enter the show in my name and they get the rabbit to the table for me.

At our local shows there are always at least two people that have their tattoo kits and are willing to do tattoos, it's how pretty much all my animals get tattooed at the moment.