by Elizabeth Armstrong-Brown

Created on: January 15, 2009

Before entering your pet rabbit into a Rabbit Show you will need to know a few things about your rabbit, mainly, his age, sex and breed. If your pet rabbit is a pure bred rabbit, you will need to prove this by showing your rabbits pedigree papers before being allowed to enter into a rabbit show.

Once you have determined the above, your next step will be to locate a rabbit show in your area, or at least one that is close enough for you to drive too safely with your pet rabbit. Just in keep mind that most rabbits do not like to be confined in a carrier for long periods of time and so attending a rabbit show that is more than 4 hours away from your home, is probably not a good idea.

There are many websites which list the numerous rabbit shows that take place on a monthly basis in various cities across the USA. You could also contact your local rabbit club to find out if they offer any shows during the year.

Before entering your pet rabbit into a rabbit show, you will need to know in which class your rabbit will fit into. Class refers to the age and sex combinations of Senior Buck, Senior Doe, Junior Buck and Junior Doe. The larger rabbit breeds also have Intermediate Bucks and Does. In most shows, Junior Bucks and Does are under 6 months of age. There are also certain weight requirements for each class. For example, a junior rabbit that exceeds the maximum weight for the junior class, they will then have to compete in the senior class.

In most rabbit shows, the rabbits are judged within their class based up on the variety of the color of their fur for their particular breed. The judging process starts within each breed and particular variety beginning with Senior Bucks and alternating with Does, ending the judging with Junior Does. After all of the classes in all of the varieties have been judged, a Best of Variety is then chosen from all the different class winners. Then a Best of Opposite Sex of Variety winner is also usually chosen. These winners then compete against themselves for the title of Best of Breed and those winners compete for the title of Best in Show.

You can be awarded legs for first place in class competitions up to the Best in Show competition. Legs are usually awarded at any American Rabbit Breeders Association show that has at least 5 rabbits shown by 3 different owners. In order for a rabbit to achieve the status of Grand Champion, they will need to be awarded 3 legs at 3 different shows and under 2 different judges, with at least 1 leg awarded as an intermediate or senior, and senior age/weight. However, if a rabbit already holds the title of Grand Champion they can never again be allowed to receive that same title.

Entering your pet rabbit into a rabbit show is a great way to learn more about your rabbit as well as having a lot of fun!

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