Angora Rabbit Online Technical Manual

I answered a question by email and decided to post it here in case it is helpful to anyone else.

NOTE: The ARBA rules may have changed since I last showed rabbits...be sure to check the current ARBA rules.

To be eligible to show in ARBA shows, a rabbit doesn't have to be registered, it only needs to generally fit the description of the breed it is being exhibited as. You could actually show your first rabbit, perhaps (just guessing) as a Giant Angora, if she is too big to show as an English Angora. ARBA shows judge rabbits according to how they fit the written description of a breed, not whether they are purebred. You need the purebred pedigree only if you want to register the rabbit. To register (unless ARBA has changed the rules) all you need is ARBA membership, the written purebred pedigree (basically means that the rabbit is pure on the pedigree...could have "anything" on the lineage that extends off the pedigree), and to have the rabbit examined by an ARBA Registrar. You can find a Registrar available to do examinations at most ARBA shows (not necessarily a 4-H show though).

Registrars are very strict about looking for disqualifications. Even an unpigmented toenail on a colored rabbit is cause for not allowing registration, and will also DQ the rabbit at a show. Some people show only white rabbits because then those things aren't an issue, LOL.

So, registration adds value to your herd, but is not essential...

A "leg" is a show win. I don't know what the rules are now but it used to be that if a rabbit won a class of three or more rabbits owned by 3 different people, then the rabbit would receive a little certificate from the show secretary later for it. I forget how many "legs" it takes to make a champion...you mail them in to ARBA and they send you back a nice championship certificate, but of course, your rabbit does have to be registered first to be a champion.

My kids and I did rabbit shows when they were little. My advice: (altho you didn't ask for it) make sure that taking care of the rabbits is a family thing. Do it together. Angora care is very labor intensive and kids may lose interest. If you do it together, it can be pleasant family time. HOWEVER, do NOT take over all the care of the rabbits yourself and then continue to show them in ARBA youth classes...if the kids lose interest, move on to the Open classes yourself. I've seen so many mothers competing with children and it makes me furious. Also, at a show, a rabbit may be entered in youth (by kids) or entered in the Open classes, but the same rabbit may not be entered in both youth and open at the same show.

I've seen families show in Youth, and win they win, they leap about and cheer and high-five each other. That is totally inappropriate. Yes, one should appear pleased at the win, but excessive celebration is very inconsiderate to the other exhibitors. I've seen those same families (including mom and dad) go into public mourning when they lose...also totally inappropriate. Another show, another day...no big deal. I told my kids, "We don't give other people the satisfaction of seeing us behave badly in public...but you're allowed to bitch in the truck on the way home." ;)

Another thing--I hope you have invested in a good grooming blower for your Angoras. Blow coats daily blow coats daily blow coats daily. Blow coats in a place where it will be OK if the walls are turned white--very tiny specks of dander are always blown out of the coat and over time, it cakes up on the walls like talcum powder.

Don't you be one of those families that puts matted Angoras on the judging table! On the other hand, don't overdo the brushing so that you've pulled out all the wool.

If you are showing rabbits and the rabbit show starts at 7AM, get there at 5:30 or 6AM so you can find a place by an electrical outlet for your blower. Don't bring a shop vac to a rabbit show--too noisy and everyone will hate you. Blowers are OK---if a nice day, see if you can set your blower up outdoors, if the show is in a place where you don't have to worry about stuff getting stolen. Angoras usually show first. If you win your breed and you want to stay for Groups, it will be an all day wait, till 3 PM or so.

Getting up at 3AM to go to a rabbit show may have some surprising benefits. For a couple of months, my kids and I enjoyed a "front row view" of Comet Hale-Bopp!

Rabbit shows are not "exciting." They are down to earth and very slow paced. There are some high and mighty types, but most rabbit people are just good folks. Forgive me for saying this, but Angoras tend to attract "artistic" types with "flamboyant" personalities, so there is quite a bit more drama with Angoras than some other breeds.

So, when you go to a rabbit show, bring books to read, hand held Nintendos, etc. Bring lawn chairs in case chairs are not available. Be prepared just to spend quality time with your family. Make the emphasis on improving your personal best with the rabbits and doing something together, rather than winning.