by Sami Segale

Created on: April 23, 2010

Year-old Mac is a broken buck Mini Lop from Maddie's Minis who was officially registered as a grand champion by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) at the Cow Palace Grand National Show in Daly City, CA on April 11, 2010.  This was the first time his owner, Rachel Deckard of 4-H Redwood Rabbits, has registered a rabbit.

In order to be registered by the ARBA, a rabbit must meet the standards of his/her breed with no disqualifications, so Mac’s registration began with a thorough examination. As a

Mini Lop, Mac had to have a nice round body somewhat like a basketball and a balanced round head with forward floppy ears. He needed to be free of any health concerns, his fur had to be in good condition, and his broken markings had to be proportionate. He had to weigh in between 4 ½ lbs to 6 ½ lbs. Mac met all the requirements and weighed in at 6 lbs, which was perfect.

Once Mac was determined to be physically within the ARBA standards, his owner produced the paperwork, including her ARBA membership card, his pedigree (the family tree of his heritage), and the certificates from his three wins called "legs."  (Even seasoned rabbit showers appreciate the oddity of the name "legs" in conjunction with rabbits, and they rather enjoy bragging that they have a "seven-leg rabbit".)

A rabbit must have three “legs” (wins) to be awarded Grand Champion status.  “Legs” are awarded for first place in a class competition, Best of Variety or Group, Best Opposite Sex of Variety or Group, Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex in an ARBA sanctioned show.  But there must be at least five rabbits competing in the category and there must be three different breeders represented.  In other words, there must be a reasonable amount of competition.  A rabbit can win first place if he is the only rabbit of his class being shown (1st out of 1), but he will not be awarded a “leg.”  Another requirement is that at least one of the rabbit’s “legs” must be earned as a senior (eight months or older).  (After all, even in rabbits, sometimes youth adds that special something to a body that doesn’t last.)  And finally, a rabbit cannot earn more than one “leg” from the same judge in the same day.

Rachel was required to fill in an application form, her documents were copied, she paid the $10.00 fee ($6.00 for the registration and $4.00

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>