How to show rabbits...

[SarahFair]

When there arent any shows near you for a year?

I just bought 2 flemish giants and I would (when they come of age) like to register them.
Who would I contact about that?


Where would I show them? State fairs?


Here is my male. Hes 4 months old and 10lbs. He got in a fight at the breeders with another male and has 2 tears in one ear. There is no skin missing and they have healed, you cant even really tell they are torn unless you get upclose. Would that stop him from being reg.?

Here is my 9 week old female:

 

[RabbitMage]

Have you checked the ARBA website for shows near you? You can go here and click on your state: http://www.arba.net/Shows.htm to see upcoming shows nearby. And yes, depending on your location you may have to drive a bit.

In order for your rabbit to be registered, they need to be seniors. For Flemish I believe that's 8 months and older. The registrar (person who registers rabbits) will examine them to be sure they meet breed standards-he won't judge how good they are, he'll just make sure they don't have any disqualifications. You will need to have a current ARBA membership, a full pedigree on your rabbit, and a $6 registration fee. If your rabbit can be registered, the registrar will put a tattoo in the rabbit's right ear, usually just an R with a circle around it, although I've seen some tattoo the rabbit's registration number there. The registrar will mail your paperwork to the ARBA, and you will get your rabbit's registration certificate in the mail.

Most shows will have a registrar available, but you can also check here: http://www.arba.net/Registrars.htm for a registrar who lives nearby and may be able to meet you.

Edit: OH, about your bunny's ears. I doubt that it will keep him from being registered, as long at the fur around or behind the nick hasn't grown in as a white spot. Being shown, the judge MAY mark him down or even disqualify him, or theymay not even comment on it. As long as there is no white spot, things like nicks in the ear fall under the judge's discretion. If they feel it detracts from the animal's appearance, they can mark him down for it. I've shown several rabbits with tiny notches missing, and I've only had a couple of judges make comments on it, and it was never made out to be a big deal.

 

[SarahFair]

Oh I see some! I was looking at just flemish shows..
Thanks!

 

[Bunnylady]

When a club gets a sanction to hold an all-breed show, a local specialty club may also sponsor a "special" at the same time and place. These are extra classes added on at the end of the show, and listed separately (for example, "Polish Only"). If the original show was a double, this makes that particular show effectively a triple show for that breed.