Terminology
A list of terms commonly used by rabbit breeders.
ARBA - American Rabbit Breeders Association.
4-CLASS BREED - A breed shown as senior buck, senior doe, junior buck and junior doe, usually considered a fancy rabbit breed.
6-CLASS BREED - A breed shown as senior buck, senior doe, intermediate buck, intermediate doe, junior buck and junior doe, usually considered a commercial breed.
AGOUTI - An agouti patterned rabbit has three different colors on the same hair shaft which make a visible ring when gently blowing into the coat. Eye circles, triangle, belly, underside of tail, and chin are white or cream.
ARCH - A gentle curvature of spine; extended from neck (or shoulders in some breeds) to rear of rabbit.
BALANCE - When referring to shape and conformation balance is referred to as type. Good balance on a rabbit is represented by an orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance. Balance also refers to markings. Balanced markings on a rabbit are represented by equal distribution of corresponding markings. Examples of balanced markings on rabbits include balanced color divisions of Harlequin, equal amounts of color on the cheeks of Dutch, and equal distribution of color in the pattern and side markings of Checkered Giants, English Spots, and Rhinelanders.
BARRED - Refers to both elongated spots (as in side markings of English Spot which should be round) and light colored streaks or bars on front legs (usually found on agouti rabbits).
BASE COLOR - The color of the fur next to the skin, at the base of the shaft.
BEW - A blue eyed white rabbit.
BIS - Best in show. Judged best in show in an ARBA sanctioned show. BIS is determined by evaluating all of the BOB winners and picking the best rabbit overall in the show.
BLAZE - The white marking found on the head of a Dutch.
BLOOM - The sheen or luster of a coat in good condition.
BOB - Best of breed. Judged best of breed in an ARBA sanctioned show. One rabbit can win BOB, a rabbit of the opposite sex can win BOS.
BOOTS - The colored markings on the feet and legs of pointed rabbits.
BOS or BOSB - Best opposite sex. Judged best opposite sex of breed in an ARBA sanctioned show.
BOSV - Best opposite sex of variety. Judged best opposite sex of variety in an ARBA sanctioned show.
BOV - Best of variety. Judged best of variety in an ARBA sanctioned show.
BREEDING CERTIFICATE - A certificate issued by the owner of a buck that has been used as a stud to the owner of the doe that received the stud service.
BROKEN - The broken variety consists of any recognized breed variety color with white. The eye color is to correspond with the color specified under the respective solid colored variety. White toe nails are preferred but colored nails are not a disqualification from competition. An evenly balanced pattern may be awarded more points than an unbalanced pattern.
BROKEN COAT - A coat is referred to as broken when the guard hair is broken or missing in spots and exposing the undercoat, due to molting or any other reason.
BUCK - An unaltered male rabbit.
BUNNY - A pet name for a rabbit.
BUTTERFLY - The nose marking found on many breeds of rabbits. The wing portions of a butterfly marking cover the whisker bed and upper lip, with the body extending up the center of the face.
BUTTING - A form of malocclusion where incisors meet together evenly without the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors. A disqualification.
CECOTROPE - A soft stool resembling a bunch of grapes. Rabbits produce cecotropes for their own consumption, they provide the rabbit with additional nutrition and beneficial bacteria.
CHARLIE - Lightly marked animal in the broken group of some breeds. Charlies usually have only colored ears, eye circles, and a mustache, and lack back and side markings.
CHOPPED/CHOPPY - Used to refer to type when back and loins cut off abruptly and fall vertically to tail. A choppy rabbit lacks a gracefully arched back and loins, and is not well filled out and rounded.
CLASSIFICATION - System for organizing judging within different breeds.
CLEAN - When used to refer to wool type rabbits it describes the areas that lack wool. When referring to markings it is used to describe well formed markings that are not congested or dragged. Marking term - to have well formed markings without congestion or drags.
COMMERCIAL - Rabbits that are considered commercial breeds are breeds that were originally bred for meat production.
CONDITION - The physical state of a rabbit in reference to health, cleanliness, fur, and grooming.
CONVENTION - The annual national rabbit show held by ARBA each fall.
COW HOCKS - Hocks that turn or bend inward causing foot portion to turn outward. Can be a disqualification if severe.
CROWN - Strong basal ridge of cartilage at the top of the head, forming the ear base on some lop eared breeds.
CULL - Remove a rabbit from a breeding program by any method.
CUNICULIS - The species to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
DAM - Mother.
DEAD HAIRS - Fur that is lacking life, produced as a result of molting.
DEFINITION - The sharpness and clarity of a color break, on a hair shaft, as in the ring color in Agouti fur.
DEW CLAW - An extra toe on the inside of the front legs.
DEWLAP - Fold or folds of loose skin found hanging from the throat of does. Dewlaps should be proportional to the body. While common in most breed, dewlaps can be a disqualification in some breeds.
DISQUALIFICATION - A defect, deformity, or blemish that renders a rabbit ineligible for competition or registration.
DOE - An intact female rabbit.
DQ - Disqualification.
DRAG - The intrusion of color markings into a white area.
EAR LACING - A black or dark colored line of fur that outlines the sides and tips of the ears.
EAR MARK - A tattoo in the left ear of a rabbit that is used for identification purposes, usually consists of numbers and/or letters.
EYE BAND - A thin marking forming a complete outline of the eye, found in Blanc de Hotot and Dwarf Hotot.
EYE CIRCLE - A marking surrounding the eye, seen in agouti and tan rabbits.
EYE STAIN - Splotches or streaks of color around the eyes in all pointed rabbits.
FAULT - A minor problem that causes a rabbit to be slightly imperfect that will usually cause a rabbit to place lower in its class.
FAKING - Anything intentionally done to a rabbit to alter the appearance of the rabbit, faking is a disqualification from competition.
FIBER - An individual strand of hair that combines with others to compose a coat of fur and/or wool.
FINE COAT - A coat that is too fine in texture and lacking body with the guard hairs being too weak and thin in structure, and similar to the hairs making up the undercoat.
FLAT COAT - A coat lying flat or close to the body, lacking spring or body as evidenced by touch. A fine coat coupled with lack of density.
FLAT SHOULDERS - A trait occurring when the top line over the shoulders is noticeably parallel to surface of the judging table, a lack of arch from the neck to the shoulders.
FLYBACK - Fur that returns quickly to its normal position when stroked toward the head.
FRYER -A rabbit that is under five pounds and not over 69 days of age.
GRAND CHAMPION - A rabbit that wins three legs which are awarded by at least two different judges with at least one being a senior leg that has been inspected by an ARBA registrar and registered with ARBA qualifies to become a Grand Champion. The owner mails the three original leg certificates along with the rabbit's registration number and a small fee to ARBA. The secretary of ARBA will send back a Grand Champion Certificate with a grand champion number assigned to this rabbit.
GUARD HAIR - The longer, coarser hair of the coat offering protection to the undercoat and furnishing wearing quality to the coat in addition to providing sheen. Guard hair should be the same length of the undercoat in Rex.
HARLEQUIN - 6 markings and their alternates, found on the ears, face, chest, forelegs, body, and rear legs.
HERD - A group of rabbits.
HOCK - The middle joint or section of the hind leg between the foot and the hip.
IMPORT - A rabbit in the United States or Canada that was born outside of the United States or Canada.
INTERMEDIATE - A rabbit that is six months of age or over but still under eight months of age.
JUNIOR - A rabbit that is under six months of age.
KINDLE - To give birth.
KIT - A baby rabbit.
LAGOMORPH - The order to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
LAP SPOTS - The intensification of belly color in the area inside of the hind legs, normally seen in shaded selfs, agoutis, fawns, and reds.
LEG - A leg is earned by winning in an ARBA sanctioned show as long as there are at least three exhibitors and at least five rabbits competing for the win. Legs can be awarded for first place in a class competition (such as solid senior bucks or broken junior does), BOV or Group, BOS of Variety or Group, BOB and BOS. Your rabbit can also win a leg by winning BIS. For classes without enough exhibitors and/or bunnies, it may be possible to earn a leg by winning BOSV (if there are sufficient numbers of the related sex in the variety), BOV (if there are sufficient numbers in the entire variety), BOS (if there are sufficient number in the related sex of the breed) or BOB (if there are sufficient numbers in the entire breed). A rabbit may only earn one leg per judging and can not earn 2 legs from the same judge in one day.
LEPORIDAE - The family to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
LOOSE COAT - A coat in which the fur is not set tightly into the skin resulting in slipping and breaking out.
MALOCCLUSION - When upper and lower teeth do not meet properly. A disqualification from competition.
MANDOLIN - Used to refer to type of a rabbit when the body has the appearance of a mandolin with the arch starting at the back of the shoulders arching toward the loin to make a noticeably large and broad hindquarter.
MEAT PEN - Three young meat type rabbits of the same breed, age, size and color kindled 10 weeks before exhibiting. Minimum weight to be three pounds each and maximum weight to be five pounds each. There can be as much as 1 1/4 pound difference between the three rabbits but other characteristics should match. Body to be well filled, rounded, firm flesh, with good depth of body, well developed shoulder and smooth feel to body. Loin depth, width and hindquarter thickness to be uniform in trio.
MOLT - Act or process of shedding or changing fur twice yearly. Baby fur is molted at two months and the first natural coat of fur is fully developed at four to six months.
NATIONALS - A national specialty show held by a national specialty club and sponsored by a local club.
OFF COLORED - Not the desired color. Refers to fur, toenails, and eyes.
OPEN - A show that is open to exhibitors of all ages.
ORYCTOLAGUS - The genus to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
PAUNCH - The prominent portion of the abdomen.
PEA SPOTS - Two spots of marking color at the inside base of the ears in tan rabbits.
PEDIGREE - A chart of male and female ancestors of a rabbit showing date of birth, parents, grandparents, and great grandparents of the rabbit in question, as well as colors, weights, registration and grand champion numbers, etc.
PENCIL LINE - A protrusion of fur across the throat and under the chin.
PIGEON BREASTED - Having a narrow chest with a protruding v shaped breast bone. A disqualification from competition.
PINCHED HINDQUARTERS - Hindquarters that taper towards the tail at the lower hindquarters, giving the rabbit a "pinched" appearance.
POINTED - A white rabbit with colored markings on the ears, tail, nose, front feet, and rear feet and legs.
RABBITRY - A rabbit farm.
REGISTERED - A rabbit, upon reaching six months of age that has a three generation pedigree may be found worthy of registration by an ARBA registrar. If so, the rabbit is then issued ARBA Registration Papers and tattooed in the right ear.
REGISTRAR - A person who, after taking a test and meeting other eligibility requirements, is certified by ARBA to evaluate rabbits and register them if they meet standards. ARBA sanctioned shows are required to have a registrar available.
REW - A red eyed white or albino rabbit.
RING COLOR - The color of the intermediate portion of a hair shaft as seen in agoutis.
ROASTER - A rabbit that is under 6 months of age and between 5 and 8 pounds of weight.
ROLL BACK - Gradual return of a coat of fur to normal position when it is stroked from the hindquarters toward the shoulders.
RUST - A reddish brown discoloration of the fur that is usually found on the sides, flanks, and feet of rabbits due to overexposure to sunlight, dirty hutches, etc.
SADDLE - The rounded intermediate portion of the back between the shoulder and the loin.
SANCTIONED - Shows that abide by ARBA show rules and pay sanction fees. Sweepstakes points are accumulated only from sanctioned shows. Only legs earned at ARBA sanctioned shows can be used to earn a Grand Champion certification.
SCREW TAIL - See Wry Tail. A disqualification from competition.
SELF - A color pattern in which the rabbit is the same color all over.
SENIOR - A rabbit that is older than eight months of age.
SHADED - A fur pattern in which there is a gradual transition of a basic color, usually from dark to light. The dark color is normally found on the back, head, ears, tail, feet, and legs while the light color is normally found on the sides and belly.
SHADOW BARS - A weakness of self color in fur on both front and hind legs that appears in the form of light colored bars running across the feet. Also occurs in agoutis.
SILVERED - Having the appearance of a silvery sheen due to an abundance of silver white or silver tipped guard hairs interspersed throughout the fur.
SIRE - Father.
SLIPPED CROWN - A crown that is too far forward or too far back on the head causing ear carriage to be misplaced.
SLIPPING COAT - A coat that is shedding or molting a profusion of hair.
SLOBBERS - Excessive salivation creating wet or extremely moist and unsightly fur around the mouth, lower jaw, and forelegs. A disqualification from competition.
SMUT - Sooty appearance on surface color, usually formed by a large number of dark guard hairs. Found in many rabbits that carry the genetic factor of red. Also refers to pelt stain on Himalayans and Californians, and the nose marking found on Himalayans.
SNIPEY - A long, elongated narrow head.
SNUFFLES - Virulent contagious infection of nasal passages and respiratory organs, usually terminating in chronic illness. Indicated by fever, heavy breathing, sneezing and discharge of thick, creamy pus from nostrils. A disqualification from competition.
SOLID -A variety classification for judging rabbits with one color over all of the body.
SORE HOCKS - Ulcerated condition of foot pads or soles of either fore or hind feet of rabbit (a misnomer - not actually pertaining to hock). A disqualification from competition if infected or bleeding.
SPLAYED - Spraddled legged. The front and/or back legs are not in proper position, not under the rabbit but to the side. A disqualification from competition.
SPORT - A Vienna marked rabbit. A Vienna mark usually appears as a white spot on the head, a white foot, or a random white marking that should not be there. A sport carries the Vienna gene.
STANDARD OF PERFECTION - Book published by ARBA stating the requirements of each breed of rabbit for judging purposes. This book is updated every five years with any changes to improve present breeds and include new breeds.
STEWER - An older rabbit that needs to be boiled in order to be tender enough to eat.
SURFACE COLOR - The top color of the fur while lying in its normal position.
SWEEPSTAKES - Sweepstakes contests are conducted by national rabbit clubs and some local clubs as well. Sweepstakes points are earned by winning, points vary by win by club.
TAN - A color pattern in which the head, saddle, back, rump, sides, upper portion of tail, outer portion of ears, hind legs, and front portion of front legs is an accepted breed color. The eye circles, nostrils, jowls, chest, belly, flanks, triangle, under portion of tail, pea or crown spots, inner edge of ears, and inside of hind legs are a contrasting color.
TATTOO - Marking in ear for identification, usually consists of number and/or letters.
TICKING - Wavy distribution of longer guard hairs throughout the fur of a color that is distinct from the under wool or body fur. Such ticking is usually produced by black tipped guard hairs, as in chinchilla, Flemish Giants, and Belgian hares, and adds greatly to the beauty of the fur.
TRIANGLE - Small area in the shape of a triangle behind the ears, which is generally lighter in color than the rest of the coat in tan and agouti rabbits.
TUCKED UP - Trim appearance of a rabbit with flank and belly gathered in closely to form an arch when the rabbit is in a sitting position. Also refers to a posing failure in which the rabbit's hindquarters are pushed too far forward.
TYPE - Denotes body conformation of a rabbit or shape of a particular part of animal as in "head type." General description of physical makeup of an animal.
UNDERCOAT - The short fur that is partly concealed by the longer coarser guard hairs.
UNDERCOLOR - The color at the base of the hair shaft, next to the skin.
VARIETY - A breed subdivision applicable to animals of any recognized standard breed, but distinct in color of fur from other races or subdivisions thereof.
VENT DISEASE - Venereal diseases in rabbits of both sexes. Indicated by scabby, reddened male or female organs, usually exuding pus (rabbit syphilis). Disqualification from competition.
VIENNA GENE - The gene that produces BEWs and sports.
VIENNA MARKED - A sport.
WOLF TEETH - Protruding or elongated incisors in either upper or lower jaw caused by malocclusion.
WRY NECK - Improper carriage of the head causing it to tilt to one side. A disqualification from competition.
WRY TAIL - A tail that is abnormally bent, curled or twisted permanently to one side; a corkscrew tail with one or more turns. A disqualification from competition.
YOUTH - Exhibitors that are 5 to 18 years of age.
4-CLASS BREED - A breed shown as senior buck, senior doe, junior buck and junior doe, usually considered a fancy rabbit breed.
6-CLASS BREED - A breed shown as senior buck, senior doe, intermediate buck, intermediate doe, junior buck and junior doe, usually considered a commercial breed.
AGOUTI - An agouti patterned rabbit has three different colors on the same hair shaft which make a visible ring when gently blowing into the coat. Eye circles, triangle, belly, underside of tail, and chin are white or cream.
ARCH - A gentle curvature of spine; extended from neck (or shoulders in some breeds) to rear of rabbit.
BALANCE - When referring to shape and conformation balance is referred to as type. Good balance on a rabbit is represented by an orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance. Balance also refers to markings. Balanced markings on a rabbit are represented by equal distribution of corresponding markings. Examples of balanced markings on rabbits include balanced color divisions of Harlequin, equal amounts of color on the cheeks of Dutch, and equal distribution of color in the pattern and side markings of Checkered Giants, English Spots, and Rhinelanders.
BARRED - Refers to both elongated spots (as in side markings of English Spot which should be round) and light colored streaks or bars on front legs (usually found on agouti rabbits).
BASE COLOR - The color of the fur next to the skin, at the base of the shaft.
BEW - A blue eyed white rabbit.
BIS - Best in show. Judged best in show in an ARBA sanctioned show. BIS is determined by evaluating all of the BOB winners and picking the best rabbit overall in the show.
BLAZE - The white marking found on the head of a Dutch.
BLOOM - The sheen or luster of a coat in good condition.
BOB - Best of breed. Judged best of breed in an ARBA sanctioned show. One rabbit can win BOB, a rabbit of the opposite sex can win BOS.
BOOTS - The colored markings on the feet and legs of pointed rabbits.
BOS or BOSB - Best opposite sex. Judged best opposite sex of breed in an ARBA sanctioned show.
BOSV - Best opposite sex of variety. Judged best opposite sex of variety in an ARBA sanctioned show.
BOV - Best of variety. Judged best of variety in an ARBA sanctioned show.
BREEDING CERTIFICATE - A certificate issued by the owner of a buck that has been used as a stud to the owner of the doe that received the stud service.
BROKEN - The broken variety consists of any recognized breed variety color with white. The eye color is to correspond with the color specified under the respective solid colored variety. White toe nails are preferred but colored nails are not a disqualification from competition. An evenly balanced pattern may be awarded more points than an unbalanced pattern.
BROKEN COAT - A coat is referred to as broken when the guard hair is broken or missing in spots and exposing the undercoat, due to molting or any other reason.
BUCK - An unaltered male rabbit.
BUNNY - A pet name for a rabbit.
BUTTERFLY - The nose marking found on many breeds of rabbits. The wing portions of a butterfly marking cover the whisker bed and upper lip, with the body extending up the center of the face.
BUTTING - A form of malocclusion where incisors meet together evenly without the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors. A disqualification.
CECOTROPE - A soft stool resembling a bunch of grapes. Rabbits produce cecotropes for their own consumption, they provide the rabbit with additional nutrition and beneficial bacteria.
CHARLIE - Lightly marked animal in the broken group of some breeds. Charlies usually have only colored ears, eye circles, and a mustache, and lack back and side markings.
CHOPPED/CHOPPY - Used to refer to type when back and loins cut off abruptly and fall vertically to tail. A choppy rabbit lacks a gracefully arched back and loins, and is not well filled out and rounded.
CLASSIFICATION - System for organizing judging within different breeds.
CLEAN - When used to refer to wool type rabbits it describes the areas that lack wool. When referring to markings it is used to describe well formed markings that are not congested or dragged. Marking term - to have well formed markings without congestion or drags.
COMMERCIAL - Rabbits that are considered commercial breeds are breeds that were originally bred for meat production.
CONDITION - The physical state of a rabbit in reference to health, cleanliness, fur, and grooming.
CONVENTION - The annual national rabbit show held by ARBA each fall.
COW HOCKS - Hocks that turn or bend inward causing foot portion to turn outward. Can be a disqualification if severe.
CROWN - Strong basal ridge of cartilage at the top of the head, forming the ear base on some lop eared breeds.
CULL - Remove a rabbit from a breeding program by any method.
CUNICULIS - The species to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
DAM - Mother.
DEAD HAIRS - Fur that is lacking life, produced as a result of molting.
DEFINITION - The sharpness and clarity of a color break, on a hair shaft, as in the ring color in Agouti fur.
DEW CLAW - An extra toe on the inside of the front legs.
DEWLAP - Fold or folds of loose skin found hanging from the throat of does. Dewlaps should be proportional to the body. While common in most breed, dewlaps can be a disqualification in some breeds.
DISQUALIFICATION - A defect, deformity, or blemish that renders a rabbit ineligible for competition or registration.
DOE - An intact female rabbit.
DQ - Disqualification.
DRAG - The intrusion of color markings into a white area.
EAR LACING - A black or dark colored line of fur that outlines the sides and tips of the ears.
EAR MARK - A tattoo in the left ear of a rabbit that is used for identification purposes, usually consists of numbers and/or letters.
EYE BAND - A thin marking forming a complete outline of the eye, found in Blanc de Hotot and Dwarf Hotot.
EYE CIRCLE - A marking surrounding the eye, seen in agouti and tan rabbits.
EYE STAIN - Splotches or streaks of color around the eyes in all pointed rabbits.
FAULT - A minor problem that causes a rabbit to be slightly imperfect that will usually cause a rabbit to place lower in its class.
FAKING - Anything intentionally done to a rabbit to alter the appearance of the rabbit, faking is a disqualification from competition.
FIBER - An individual strand of hair that combines with others to compose a coat of fur and/or wool.
FINE COAT - A coat that is too fine in texture and lacking body with the guard hairs being too weak and thin in structure, and similar to the hairs making up the undercoat.
FLAT COAT - A coat lying flat or close to the body, lacking spring or body as evidenced by touch. A fine coat coupled with lack of density.
FLAT SHOULDERS - A trait occurring when the top line over the shoulders is noticeably parallel to surface of the judging table, a lack of arch from the neck to the shoulders.
FLYBACK - Fur that returns quickly to its normal position when stroked toward the head.
FRYER -A rabbit that is under five pounds and not over 69 days of age.
GRAND CHAMPION - A rabbit that wins three legs which are awarded by at least two different judges with at least one being a senior leg that has been inspected by an ARBA registrar and registered with ARBA qualifies to become a Grand Champion. The owner mails the three original leg certificates along with the rabbit's registration number and a small fee to ARBA. The secretary of ARBA will send back a Grand Champion Certificate with a grand champion number assigned to this rabbit.
GUARD HAIR - The longer, coarser hair of the coat offering protection to the undercoat and furnishing wearing quality to the coat in addition to providing sheen. Guard hair should be the same length of the undercoat in Rex.
HARLEQUIN - 6 markings and their alternates, found on the ears, face, chest, forelegs, body, and rear legs.
HERD - A group of rabbits.
HOCK - The middle joint or section of the hind leg between the foot and the hip.
IMPORT - A rabbit in the United States or Canada that was born outside of the United States or Canada.
INTERMEDIATE - A rabbit that is six months of age or over but still under eight months of age.
JUNIOR - A rabbit that is under six months of age.
KINDLE - To give birth.
KIT - A baby rabbit.
LAGOMORPH - The order to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
LAP SPOTS - The intensification of belly color in the area inside of the hind legs, normally seen in shaded selfs, agoutis, fawns, and reds.
LEG - A leg is earned by winning in an ARBA sanctioned show as long as there are at least three exhibitors and at least five rabbits competing for the win. Legs can be awarded for first place in a class competition (such as solid senior bucks or broken junior does), BOV or Group, BOS of Variety or Group, BOB and BOS. Your rabbit can also win a leg by winning BIS. For classes without enough exhibitors and/or bunnies, it may be possible to earn a leg by winning BOSV (if there are sufficient numbers of the related sex in the variety), BOV (if there are sufficient numbers in the entire variety), BOS (if there are sufficient number in the related sex of the breed) or BOB (if there are sufficient numbers in the entire breed). A rabbit may only earn one leg per judging and can not earn 2 legs from the same judge in one day.
LEPORIDAE - The family to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
LOOSE COAT - A coat in which the fur is not set tightly into the skin resulting in slipping and breaking out.
MALOCCLUSION - When upper and lower teeth do not meet properly. A disqualification from competition.
MANDOLIN - Used to refer to type of a rabbit when the body has the appearance of a mandolin with the arch starting at the back of the shoulders arching toward the loin to make a noticeably large and broad hindquarter.
MEAT PEN - Three young meat type rabbits of the same breed, age, size and color kindled 10 weeks before exhibiting. Minimum weight to be three pounds each and maximum weight to be five pounds each. There can be as much as 1 1/4 pound difference between the three rabbits but other characteristics should match. Body to be well filled, rounded, firm flesh, with good depth of body, well developed shoulder and smooth feel to body. Loin depth, width and hindquarter thickness to be uniform in trio.
MOLT - Act or process of shedding or changing fur twice yearly. Baby fur is molted at two months and the first natural coat of fur is fully developed at four to six months.
NATIONALS - A national specialty show held by a national specialty club and sponsored by a local club.
OFF COLORED - Not the desired color. Refers to fur, toenails, and eyes.
OPEN - A show that is open to exhibitors of all ages.
ORYCTOLAGUS - The genus to which rabbits belong. Kingdom:Animalia, Phylum:Chordata, Class:Mammalia, Order:Lagomorpha, Family:Leporidae, Genus:Oryctolagus, Species:Cuniculis.
PAUNCH - The prominent portion of the abdomen.
PEA SPOTS - Two spots of marking color at the inside base of the ears in tan rabbits.
PEDIGREE - A chart of male and female ancestors of a rabbit showing date of birth, parents, grandparents, and great grandparents of the rabbit in question, as well as colors, weights, registration and grand champion numbers, etc.
PENCIL LINE - A protrusion of fur across the throat and under the chin.
PIGEON BREASTED - Having a narrow chest with a protruding v shaped breast bone. A disqualification from competition.
PINCHED HINDQUARTERS - Hindquarters that taper towards the tail at the lower hindquarters, giving the rabbit a "pinched" appearance.
POINTED - A white rabbit with colored markings on the ears, tail, nose, front feet, and rear feet and legs.
RABBITRY - A rabbit farm.
REGISTERED - A rabbit, upon reaching six months of age that has a three generation pedigree may be found worthy of registration by an ARBA registrar. If so, the rabbit is then issued ARBA Registration Papers and tattooed in the right ear.
REGISTRAR - A person who, after taking a test and meeting other eligibility requirements, is certified by ARBA to evaluate rabbits and register them if they meet standards. ARBA sanctioned shows are required to have a registrar available.
REW - A red eyed white or albino rabbit.
RING COLOR - The color of the intermediate portion of a hair shaft as seen in agoutis.
ROASTER - A rabbit that is under 6 months of age and between 5 and 8 pounds of weight.
ROLL BACK - Gradual return of a coat of fur to normal position when it is stroked from the hindquarters toward the shoulders.
RUST - A reddish brown discoloration of the fur that is usually found on the sides, flanks, and feet of rabbits due to overexposure to sunlight, dirty hutches, etc.
SADDLE - The rounded intermediate portion of the back between the shoulder and the loin.
SANCTIONED - Shows that abide by ARBA show rules and pay sanction fees. Sweepstakes points are accumulated only from sanctioned shows. Only legs earned at ARBA sanctioned shows can be used to earn a Grand Champion certification.
SCREW TAIL - See Wry Tail. A disqualification from competition.
SELF - A color pattern in which the rabbit is the same color all over.
SENIOR - A rabbit that is older than eight months of age.
SHADED - A fur pattern in which there is a gradual transition of a basic color, usually from dark to light. The dark color is normally found on the back, head, ears, tail, feet, and legs while the light color is normally found on the sides and belly.
SHADOW BARS - A weakness of self color in fur on both front and hind legs that appears in the form of light colored bars running across the feet. Also occurs in agoutis.
SILVERED - Having the appearance of a silvery sheen due to an abundance of silver white or silver tipped guard hairs interspersed throughout the fur.
SIRE - Father.
SLIPPED CROWN - A crown that is too far forward or too far back on the head causing ear carriage to be misplaced.
SLIPPING COAT - A coat that is shedding or molting a profusion of hair.
SLOBBERS - Excessive salivation creating wet or extremely moist and unsightly fur around the mouth, lower jaw, and forelegs. A disqualification from competition.
SMUT - Sooty appearance on surface color, usually formed by a large number of dark guard hairs. Found in many rabbits that carry the genetic factor of red. Also refers to pelt stain on Himalayans and Californians, and the nose marking found on Himalayans.
SNIPEY - A long, elongated narrow head.
SNUFFLES - Virulent contagious infection of nasal passages and respiratory organs, usually terminating in chronic illness. Indicated by fever, heavy breathing, sneezing and discharge of thick, creamy pus from nostrils. A disqualification from competition.
SOLID -A variety classification for judging rabbits with one color over all of the body.
SORE HOCKS - Ulcerated condition of foot pads or soles of either fore or hind feet of rabbit (a misnomer - not actually pertaining to hock). A disqualification from competition if infected or bleeding.
SPLAYED - Spraddled legged. The front and/or back legs are not in proper position, not under the rabbit but to the side. A disqualification from competition.
SPORT - A Vienna marked rabbit. A Vienna mark usually appears as a white spot on the head, a white foot, or a random white marking that should not be there. A sport carries the Vienna gene.
STANDARD OF PERFECTION - Book published by ARBA stating the requirements of each breed of rabbit for judging purposes. This book is updated every five years with any changes to improve present breeds and include new breeds.
STEWER - An older rabbit that needs to be boiled in order to be tender enough to eat.
SURFACE COLOR - The top color of the fur while lying in its normal position.
SWEEPSTAKES - Sweepstakes contests are conducted by national rabbit clubs and some local clubs as well. Sweepstakes points are earned by winning, points vary by win by club.
TAN - A color pattern in which the head, saddle, back, rump, sides, upper portion of tail, outer portion of ears, hind legs, and front portion of front legs is an accepted breed color. The eye circles, nostrils, jowls, chest, belly, flanks, triangle, under portion of tail, pea or crown spots, inner edge of ears, and inside of hind legs are a contrasting color.
TATTOO - Marking in ear for identification, usually consists of number and/or letters.
TICKING - Wavy distribution of longer guard hairs throughout the fur of a color that is distinct from the under wool or body fur. Such ticking is usually produced by black tipped guard hairs, as in chinchilla, Flemish Giants, and Belgian hares, and adds greatly to the beauty of the fur.
TRIANGLE - Small area in the shape of a triangle behind the ears, which is generally lighter in color than the rest of the coat in tan and agouti rabbits.
TUCKED UP - Trim appearance of a rabbit with flank and belly gathered in closely to form an arch when the rabbit is in a sitting position. Also refers to a posing failure in which the rabbit's hindquarters are pushed too far forward.
TYPE - Denotes body conformation of a rabbit or shape of a particular part of animal as in "head type." General description of physical makeup of an animal.
UNDERCOAT - The short fur that is partly concealed by the longer coarser guard hairs.
UNDERCOLOR - The color at the base of the hair shaft, next to the skin.
VARIETY - A breed subdivision applicable to animals of any recognized standard breed, but distinct in color of fur from other races or subdivisions thereof.
VENT DISEASE - Venereal diseases in rabbits of both sexes. Indicated by scabby, reddened male or female organs, usually exuding pus (rabbit syphilis). Disqualification from competition.
VIENNA GENE - The gene that produces BEWs and sports.
VIENNA MARKED - A sport.
WOLF TEETH - Protruding or elongated incisors in either upper or lower jaw caused by malocclusion.
WRY NECK - Improper carriage of the head causing it to tilt to one side. A disqualification from competition.
WRY TAIL - A tail that is abnormally bent, curled or twisted permanently to one side; a corkscrew tail with one or more turns. A disqualification from competition.
YOUTH - Exhibitors that are 5 to 18 years of age.