Some people ask which vet they should go to if their bunny needs to visit a vet. I always tell them to visit a rabbit-savvy vet. It doesn’t matter how much you have to travel but bunnies have special needs that rabbit-savvy vets will know and understand.
There’s an article written about Rabbit-Savvy Vets: The Importance of Having One @
http://www.petschannel.com/article/?a=77.
Most people may not realise it but there is a considerable amount of difference between rabbits with pedigree and registered rabbits. Having ‘papers’ or ‘pedigree certificates’ alone does not guarantee quality of the rabbit. Rabbit breeders use pedigree certificates/papers to record the parentage of the rabbits of a particular or specific breed to show that the particular rabbit is purebred. This usually records 3 generations of the rabbit’s lineage, birthday and ARBA registration numbers and Grand Champion number (if any). In human terms, the pedigree certificate is similar to that of our birth certificates.
A registered rabbit is different. They can also have the pedigree certificate but it also has to meet stringent criteria before it can be registered. Therefore, a pedigree is needed and checked before it can be registered and later, to participate in shows.
What’s all the hype about owning a registered rabbit and what does it mean? Well, there are rules in place as to whether a rabbit can be registered or not. Only rabbits six months or older can be registered and the owner of the rabbit has to be a current member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). The pedigree certificate also comes in play with registration. The pedigree certificate, complete with three-generation pedigree (or lineage) with details of ear numbers, weights and varieties must be presented to the registrar for review. After which, the registrar will take effort to meticulously compare the rabbit to the breed criteria in accordance to “The Standard of Perfection”, not have any disqualifying factors and only upon confirmation that the rabbit meets all the criteria of the breed and variety, will the rabbit be registered. This means to say that the registered rabbit will have met all the requirements for its breed and variety and has no disqualifying factors. It is important to note that any rabbit with disqualifying factors are not allowed to be registered. Hence, registered rabbits have a greater value over unregistered rabbits even though both registered and unregistered rabbits can come with pedigree certificates.
So what happens after the rabbit qualifies for registration? Well, the rabbit is given a registration number which is then added to the rabbit’s pedigree certificate. ARBA will send formal paperwork to certify the registration process. Afterwhich, ARBA compares the information on the registration form to their master database, however, if something does not match, the process is halted and registration is denied.
A seal will be affixed onto each registration certificate. An embossed seal will be affixed if there is only one registered rabbit on the pedigree. A red embossed seal will be affixed if the rabbit and both parents are registered while a red and white and blue seal will be affixed if the rabbit, it’s parents and grandparents are registered. Registration documents are transferable from one owner to another for a nominal fee and the registration will stay with the rabbit even if it is sold to another party. That is to say if ownership change hands, the registration will follow/stay with the rabbit.
Only registered rabbits are allowed to be awarded a Grand Champion certificate (which is can span into another discussion altogether due to different requirements). When looking at the pedigree certificate, the first rabbit listed on will be the one you own. It is common and a standard practice for the rabbit’s name to begin with the rabbitry’s name or the breeder’s name as it is the breeder who created the rabbit. When you buy your rabbit, it can be very tempting to remove the breeder’s or rabbitry’s name on the pedigree and replace it with your own but do bear in mind that the rabbitry’s or breeder’s name on the pedigree certificate does not determine the ownership of the rabbit. The reason why it is on the pedigree certificate is because it rightfully gives credit to the breeder. By removing the name of the breeder or rabbitry, you are taking away the credit of the person who created the rabbit and claiming it for your own (comparable to plagarism in the human world). It is only when you breed your rabbit, that you are rightly able to put your name on your rabbit’s pedigree certificate.
Just like you want your name on the pedigree certificate of the rabbit you bred and created because it is your due credit and you would not want others to remove your name from the pedigree certificate, the same should be done for the rabbit you bought from the breeder. It is important to respect the breeder who created your rabbit, just like how you expect others to do the same.
For the ethical/show breeders, this is about being a reputable showman, promoter and breeder.
Being a breeder is definitely not easy. It is something that has to be studied carefully and breeding has to be done ethically. If you are interested in buying and showing rabbits, you will have to focus on the quality of the rabbits. Also, quality affects the ability to register a rabbit and it will be worth every single effort and registering your rabbit is the epitome of quality.
The below information entails how to read a pedigree certificate.
Rabbitry Information: This is the person or rabbitry who owns the rabbit.
Pedigree of: This is the rabbit of which the pedigree belongs to. This box contains the name of the rabbit, date of birth, tattoo number, original breeder name and owner’s name, ARBA registration number and ARBA grand champion numbers. Below, the rabbit information is broken down into parts.
Rabbit’s Name: Rabbits have two names – the first name would be the rabbitry where he/she was born while the second is his/her call name. Sometimes this is a name while there are times where it is just the ear number. Example: Stardust’s Valient. You may call the rabbit by any nickname that you like, but the name on the pedigree must be used for all your official rabbit paperwork. Such as pedigrees of offspring and ARBA registration application.
Ear number: This number is tattooed in the rabbit’s left ear and identifies the rabbit.
Sex: This field can be left blank you are not able to confirm the gender of the rabbit as the rabbit is too young. You should fill in this field when you are able to confirm the gender of the rabbit.
Type: This is color of Flemish Giant, i.e., Black, Fawn, Blue, White et cetera.
Weight: This is the weight of the rabbit at six months of age. This is needed in order to register rabbits with ARBA.
Original breeder: This is the rabbitry where the rabbit was born and the name of the original breeder should always be listed. You should never replace the name with your own name and your rabbitry name should not be put in if the rabbit was not born in your rabbitry. Rightful credit should be given to the person who bred the rabbit and the rabbitry it was born in. If you are unsure, you can approach the original breeder.
Owner: This is the person who owns the rabbit at this point of time.
Registration number: This number is given to rabbits that are six months old and have no disqualifying faults. You can obtain more information on this from ARBA.
Family tree: The bottom chart shows the rabbit’s ancestors. The father (sire) is list on top and the mother (dam) is listed below. The same rabbit information should be listed for each rabbit, name, tattoo, weight, et cetera.
I’m not sure if anyone tried to comment but I noticed that the system has caught some spam. I’m not entirely sure if it’s spam or someone’s comment but it’s already deleted from the system. I have already adjusted the settings. Sorry if you had posted a comment but it got mistaken for spam. 
I’m sure that at any one point of time, we’ve all been confused with the jargon people in the rabbit world use. 
Here’s a list that I’ve complied. I tried to be as comprehensive as ever and include as many variations of the words that are used interchangably.
Here we go (it’s a little cramped by I numbered it to make it slightly easier):
1. Abscess – An infection in the latter stages that becomes swollen (much like a boil) with hard swelling or pocket of pus or isolated collection of pus or purulent matter occurring in / under the rabbit’s skin. Accompanied by localized fever and heat. It is a condition that needs urgent medical treatment.
2. Abortion – It is a premature expulsion of the foetus of unborn animal or a birth which occurs before the normal time or expelling the embryo/foetus from the womb of the female before the normal gestation period has ended.
3. AC – Any Colour: which refers to any varieties of colours are accepted as long as they conform to recognised standard colours. There is also AOC which stands for ‘Any Other Colour’.
4. Adult – Refers to fully-grown rabbit or any fully developed, mature rabbit of breeding age. In shows, rabbits are eligible for the ‘adult categories’ once they reach five months but this does not necessarily mean they have reached the maturity for breeding. In addition for show purposes, a rabbit 6 months of age or older in breeds having four showroom classes and 8 months or older in breeds having six showroom classes. Some (small) breeds are ready to breed at this age (for instance the Netherland Dwarf). Medium size breeds are best left until they are around six months of age before breeding and giant breeds generally aren’t ready until they are about eight or nine months. See Senior.
5. Agouti (a colour pattern) – The patterned colour identical to the wild (feral) rabbit. A hair shaft (or fur colour pattern) that has three or more bands of colour, with a definite break between each colour. Usually dark slate (grey) at the base, with two or more alternating light or dark bands or rings of colour (light and dark orange and tan) on the hair shafts, which is further inter fused or interspersed with contrasting dark guard hairs. The topcoat is interspersed with black-ticked guard hairs. The eye circles, abdomen and under the tail are white, with slate blue under colour, and the ears are laced with black. The head, ears, and feet usually have ticking; the belly colour is much lighter and does not carry ticking. Examples: steel or gray Flemish, Chinchilla, and Belgian Hares.
6. Albino – Sometimes known as the Red-Eyed White (REW). A pink-eyed, white furred/wooled rabbit.
7. Amino Acids - refers to building blocks of protein molecule
8. Anterior (or Anterior Presentation) – A normal birth, where the front feet and head are presented first.
9. AOV – Any Other Variety: usually applicable to uncommon breeds that do not have a specific class on the show schedule.
10. ARBA – The initials of the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. – umbrella national rabbit club, which promotes rabbits in the United States and foreign countries, provides for licensing of judges and registrars, and publishes a book of standards (The Standard of Perfection) which describes the desired characteristics for each recognized breed. All rabbit breeders in the US and Japan should be members of ARBA.
11. Arch (Arc) – A gentle curvature of the spine, which extends from the neck (or shoulders in some breeds) to the rear of the rabbit. It is best observed by viewing the animal in profile.
12. Awn Fluff - The soft, crimped, intermediate wool fibres ending with a straight tip. A type of wool fibre described in the Giant Angora standard.
13. Awn Hair - The strong, straight guard hair protruding above the undercoat (Awn Fluff) on the Giant Angora.
14. Back – The entire top, or dorsal, portion of the rabbit, extending from the neck to tail (including shoulders, loin and rump).
15. Backyard Breeder – Generally an uncomplimentary term, applied to people that, although breeders, do not breed with the aim of ‘improving’ rabbit breeds. A common example of a backyard breeder is one who breeds with the sole intention of supplying pet shops. Other traits of backyard breeders include a tendency to breed crossbred rabbits, as well as exhibiting little interest in belonging to a club or in showing.
16. Bagginess – Refers to unattractive loose flesh usually caused by excess weight or by losing weight without muscle toning.
17. Balance - 1. Type: Shape or conformation – an orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance. 2. Markings: Equal distribution of corresponding markings, such as colour division of the Harlequin, equal amounts of colour on the cheeks of the Dutch. Equal distribution of colour in the pattern and side markings of the Checkered Giant, English Spot and Rhinelander.
18. Balanced Ration - Referring to feeds having proper portions of individual ingredients to provide for growth, reproduction, and good health.
19. Banding – 1. A fur / hair shaft having various colours, normally associated with an agouti coat. 2. An unbroken vertical circle of marking colour, extending around the body of the Harlequin. Also applicable to agouti or chinchilla colour groups.
20. Bangs – The longer wool appearing at the front base of the ears and top of the head in some wooled breeds.
21. Bare Spot - A portion of the rabbit’s pelt that lacks fur due to moult (molt) or any other cause.
22. Barred – 1. Elongated spots which should be round (as in the side markings of the English Spot or Rhinelander, or the cheek spots of the Checkered Giant, English Spot or Rhinelander). 2. Light coloured streaks or bars on the front or rear feet. 3. A semi-circle of marking colour, running vertically on the side of the Harlequin.
23. Barren – Refers to a rabbit that is sterile, infertile, non-breeder or incapable of producing offspring, Also open or not pregnant.
24. Barren Period - A time during which a rabbit (doe) does not or will not conceive and reproduce.
25. Base Colour - The colour of the fur next to the skin.
26. Bell Ears - Refers to ears that have large, heavy tips with a distinct fall or lop to them.
27. Belly – lower portion of the body containing the intestines, the abdomen (from the last rib to the pelvis). For the purpose of specifying a colour area, it is the under body, or ventral, portion of the rabbit from the forelegs to the crotch area.
28. Belly Colour - The colour on the underside of the rabbit, extending from the forelegs to the crotch area.
29. Belt - The line where the coloured portion of the body meets the white portion just behind the shoulders. Example: Dutch breed.
30. BEW – Blue-eyed white – white bunny with blue eyes resulting from two Vienna genes.
31. BIS – Best in Show: A rabbit show award, which is the highest award rabbits can win or achieve at a show. Refers to the best rabbit at the show that day.
32. Bladder Sludge - A health problem with symptoms of difficulty in urinating or straining while trying to urinate and in later stages appears miserable and/or in pain.
33. Blanket – Usually applicable to butterfly patterns where a ‘blanket’ of solid colour covers most of the top half of a rabbit’s body.
34. Blaze – A white area (wedge shaped which narrows up to a point high on the forehead, up to in between the ears) on the head and nose running up between the eyes on rabbits with multi-coloured fur. Mainly referred to when Dutch rabbits are judged. It covers the nose, whisker bed and runs along the jaw line. The shape is that of a wedge, which tapers from the nose area to the base of the ears.
35. Blemish – Any defect or fault which detracts from the appearance.
36. Bloat – A life threatening and painful condition where the stomach expands with gas.
37. Blood Plasma - Refers to the liquid portion of blood in which the corpuscles of blood cells are suspended.
38. Bloodline – A term incorrectly used to denote a strain of rabbits.
39. Bloom – The vitality and finish of a coat in good condition.
40. BOB – Best of Breed. A rabbit show award which is awarded to the rabbit that is the best of a particular breed in a breed category.
41. Boil(s) (or Abscess) – A localised area of inflammation caused by an infection under the skin, in a gland, or in a hair shaft. It produces a localised swelling, heat and redness. A Disqualification from Competition. See Abscess.
42. Bold Eye - The eye appears full and prominent. Bold eyes are common to some breeds such as Netherland Dwarf and Lop breeds.
43. Boots – The coloured markings on the rear feet and legs of Himalayan marked rabbits.
44. BOS – Best of Opposite Sex or Best Opposite Sex. A show award given to the best opposite sex of the Best of Breed (BOB). Example: If a buck is BOB, then a doe is chosen BOS and vice versa.
45. BOSV – Best Opposite Sex of Variety. Rabbits are judged to be the best broken (or solid) of the opposite sex of the BOV. Competes for the BOS but not BOB award.
46. BOV – Best of Variety Rabbits are judged to be either the best broken or best solid at that show. Competes for the BOB and BOS awards.
47. Bowed Legs - May be applied to the fore or hind legs. Bent like a bow. Legs curved out-wardly or inwardly from the middle (like a bow). Occurrences with hind legs are quite rare. A Disqualification from Competition.
48. BRC – The British Rabbit Council.
49. Breech (Breech presentation) – An abnormal birth whereby hind feet and rump are presented first.
50. Breed – A race or special class of domestic rabbit which reproduces itself with distinctive characteristics, such as fur, markings, texture, shape, size and growth. Relatively homogenous characteristics differentiate one breed of rabbit from another and each recognised breed reproduces the same characteristics. A breed may be further divided into varieties which are generally identified by colour. A further subdivision of the breeds may include several varieties in groups as in the Netherland Dwarfs and Harlequins. For example the Lop breeds produce offspring with floppy ears instead of upright ears. Angoras produce offspring that grow long woolly coats instead of short fur.
51. Breeder – 1. Anyone who raises a special variety or varieties of rabbits or cavies which comply with their accepted Standard of Perfection. 2. A rabbit used primarily to produce offspring.
52. Breeding Certificate - A written certificate issued by the owner of a stud buck, showing it’s pedigree in full, and the date of breeding to a particular doe. It is issued as proof of the ancestry of the anticipated litter.
53. Bridling – an undesirable trait where white or coloured fur is interspersed with the desired/proper colour.
54. Brindling – 1. The longer tipped guard hairs carried up the sides of Tans. 2. An inter-mixture of two colours without definite pattern.
55. BRIS – Best Reserve in Show: the rabbit of any breed judged to be second best at a show. This BRIS does not have to be the opposite sex of the BIS.
56. Broken – 1. Refers to a white rabbit with patches of colour. A broken black has black patches; a broken tort has tort patches, et cetera. 2. A type of pattern, which is not accepted (involves disqualification) on rabbits when they are shown in clubs following the British Rabbit Council standard. On the other hand the American Rabbit Breeders Association accepts brokens.
57. Broken Coat - A coat with guard hairs missing or broken in spots, which expose the undercoat. Areas where the coat is affected by molt which exposes the undercoat.
58. Broken Colour - Any recognized rabbit breed colour in conjunction with white, and carrying the breed pattern.
59. Broken Ear - A distinct break in the cartilage of the ear which prevents erect ear carriage A Disqualification from Competition.
60. Broken Tail - A tail that is, or has been broken and is out of line. A Disqualification from Competition.
61. Brood Doe - a doe that is suitable for breeding purposes. Broody describes a female rabbit displaying an interest or willingness to mate.
62. Buck – An unaltered or intact male rabbit.
63. Buck Teeth – A form of malocclusion where the incisors meet together evenly instead of the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors (also called “pegged” teeth). To explain a bit more, it is protruding or elongated incisors in either the upper or lower jaw caused by malocclusion which prevents normal wear. A Disqualification from Competition. See Wolf Teeth and Malocclusion.
64. BUD - A Big Ugly Doe: no they are not really ugly, they are just oversized for their breed standard.
65. Buff – A rich golden orange colour with a creamy cast.
66. Bull Dog - A short, broad, bold head with a definite masculine appearance.
67. Bulldog Head - A well-developed short and broad shaped head that is more prevalent in bucks, and a desirable trait in some breeds.
68. Buns – An abbreviated and endearing term for bunnies. However be careful not to talk about your ‘buns’ to Americans-especially how lovable and cute they are. The reason being is that the word buns could be misinterpreted for your bottom!
69. Butcher Run - ungraded and unsorted rabbits purchased for slaughter
70. Butterfly – A nose and muzzle marking found on many breeds and Broken varieties, in the shape of a butterfly with fully open wings. The wing portions cover the whisker bed and upper lips, with the body or nose fork extending up the centre of the face. When a butterfly pattern in exhibited, accompanying criteria traits are expected. For example the ears should be fully coloured (strictly no white fur/patches) and the majority of the body, from the top of the shoulders down to the rump should be a solid (blanket) colour.
71. Butting Teeth - A form of malocclusion where the incisors meet together evenly (at a positioned level [butt]) instead of the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors (also called “pegged” teeth). It is also otherwise known as simple malocclusion. A Disqualification from Competition.
72. Caecum – It is like a fermentation vat where caecal pellets are produced. Caecal pellets are dark brown, soft, moist and clustered together. They are highly nutritious and usually consumed by rabbits as they are excreted.
73. Caked Teats or Udders - Engorgement of a does mammary glands and teats with an abundant milk supply (inflammation usually indicates mastitis). It is a condition sometimes suffered by lactating does which leads to blocked and irritated udders
74. Cannibalism – The practice of a doe eating her own young or when she actually does eat her own young.
75. Cap – The marking line where lower ear colour stops and joins head colour. Specified in the Checkered Giant.
76. Carbohydrate – an organic compound containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only; includes sugars, starches, and cellulose; necessary in the diet of rabbits for energy.
77. Carcass Weight - The weight of the rabbit after it has been processed.
78. Carriage – The manner in which a rabbit carries itself. 1. The style or characteristic pose of a rabbit. 2. The style in which a rabbit carries its ears.
79. CC – Challenge Certificate: an award for each class section.
80. Cecotropes – the soft faeces consumed directly from the anus. See Night faeces.
81. Cecum – a pouch forming the beginning of the large intestine; fermentation process of digestion occurs here
82. CF – see crude fibre
83. Chain – The arrangement of spots on an English Spot, starting at the ear/neck with spots about the size of a pea, and taking a downward course toward the stomach/abdomen.
84. Charlie – A bunny with two broken-pattern genes which result in a minimally patterned rabbit. Hollands must have 10% pattern to be showable. An extremely lightly marked animal in marked breeds or Broken Groups. Usually having colored ears, light eye circles and a Charlie Chaplin mustache like marking for a butterfly and are also usually devoid of back and side markings. The trait is usually genetically recessive. A miss marked broken or butterfly pattern with an excess of white or coloured spots/patches. Charlies are not a recognised colour in BRC standards and if shown, rabbits displaying them are disqualified. Although Charlie patterned rabbits are not ‘well marked’ themselves, some (although not all) are able to reproduce good butterfly patterned offspring.
85. Cheek – 1. The sides of the face beneath the eyes. 2. The rounded colour head marking that forms the blaze and carries down along the jaw line of a Dutch. 3. A term mainly used in regard to Dutch rabbit markings of colour/pattern covering around the sides of the face (cheek area) and following the jawbone as round (curve) as possible.
86. Chest – The front portion of the body between the forelegs and neck.
87. Chinning – Descriptive of behaviour where rabbits rub their chins on objects and leave behind their individual scent.
88. Chopped – A condition of the body type referring to a physical characteristic of the rabbit’s rump, whereby it is short; abruptly falling down vertically to the tail instead of being well filled out and rounded rump.
89. Choppy (or Chopped Off) – A condition in which a rabbit is not well filled out and rounded in the loin and rump area.
90. Class – a group of rabbits (e.g. Hollands) that fall into the same gender, pattern and age group. Solid Senior Bucks and Broken Junior Does are two classes. There are eight classes of Holland Lops.
91. Classification – A system of arranging the judging within different breeds. Typically a group of rabbits that fall into the same gender, pattern and age group.
92. Clean - 1. A term used on French Angora, Satin Angora, Jersey Woolly and FUZZY Lops head, ears, feet and legs denoting the presence of normal fur (absence of wool) in those places. 2. A marking term denoting well formed markings without congestion or drags.
93. Cobby - A physical description of rabbits with a build characterised by wide shoulders and short bodies, resulting in a close coupled and very compact (stout) and stocky appearance; short legged.
94. Coccidiosis – Internal parasites/protozoan organisms in the intestine or liver causing general debilitation and poor condition, distended stomach and death if severely affected.
95. Cold – An infection localized in the nose. Usually characterized by repeated sneezing and the discharge of fluid from the nose. Sometimes accompanied by matted fur on the inside of the front feet. A Disqualification from Competition. (NOTE: In judging, the matted fur is only an indication and shall not be considered as conclusive evidence of a cold.)
96. Compatible – In eye colour, normal colour that complements or matches the body colour.
97. Conception – Becoming pregnant; in rabbits, occurs when a doe’s egg(s) are fertilised by sperm from a buck.
98. Condition- The overall physical state, often used in reference to a rabbit that is well fed but not fat. Good condition or poor condition may also refer to a rabbit’s state of health, cleanliness and/or fur/coat and grooming.
99. Conjunctivitis – Inflammation of the inner membrane of the eyelid and sometimes the portion of the membrane that covers the white of the eye. A Disqualification from Competition.
100. Convention – The national rabbit show held by ARBA and sponsored by a local club for all breeds which is usually held in the fall. Many states hold conventions as well.
101. Coprophagy (Cecotrophy) – The normal practice of the rabbit consuming some of the droppings (soft night faeces or caecal pellet or caecal faeces) directly from the anus.
102. Cottony – A very fine, soft-textured fur or wool which lacks guard hair.
103. Cow Hocks - Hind legs that turn inward at the hock causing the foot portion to turn outward from the body. A Disqualification from Competition. It a condition usually noticed when a rabbit is placed upside down. The back feet (hocks) turn inwards and the rest of the foot area turns outwards. Severe cases are apparent while a rabbit is sitting, with the back feet being noticeably askew.
104. CP – see crude protein.
105. Creamy – A term meaning light coloured. The colour of cream.
106. Crimp – The natural waviness of the fibre of a wool undercoat.
107. Crossbreeding – Mating individuals of different breeds or mixed breeds together. Thus making a non-showable rabbit.
108. Crown – A strong basal ridge of cartilage at the top of the head between the ear base on some lop-eared breeds. The term is also applicable to Lop breeds in regard to an outline shape of a prominent ridge and crest (crown) across the top of the head and the base of the ears. The crown is also the part of a rabbits head between the ears and behind the brow.
109. Crude Fibre (CF) – that portion of feedstuffs composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and other polysaccharides which serve as structural and protective parts of plants (high in forages and low in grains). Not soluble in acid of alkali detergents.
110. Crude Protein (CP) – total protein in a feed. To calculate the protein percentage, a feed is first chemically analysed for nitrogen content because proteins average about 16 percent (100 x 6.25) nitrogen, the percentage of nitrogen in the analysis is multiplied by 6.25 to give the CP percentage.
111. Culling – The process of selecting only the best rabbits from a litter for future breeding and show stock by selling or slaughtering the least desirable specimens from a litter (removing a rabbit from the production/reproduction herd). Depending on a person’s ethics and management, culling can represent anything from finding good homes, to selling, to putting them down.
112. Dam – A female rabbit that produced an offspring. A rabbit’s dam is its mother (or the mother of a rabbit).
113. Dead Hairs - Fur which lacks life, caused by moulting or an unfinished coat.
114. Dead Tail - A tail which is hard and brittle due to the loss of circulation. Not a disqualification unless broken and out of alignment.
115. Definition – 1. The sharpness and clarity of a colour break on a hair shaft, as the ring colour in Agouti fur. 2. Sometimes used to describe colour contrasts.
116. Density - The property or quality of a thick coat of hair. The number of fur fibres in a given area. For example good, fair or poor density could mean a very thick, moderately thick or a thin coat.
117. Depth – 1. Measurement downward from the top line of the body to the lowest portion of the body. 2. Sometimes used to describe the extension of colour down the hair shaft.
118. Deviated Sternum - A condition in which the connecting tissue of the ribs and/or breast – bone fuse together forming an irregular sternum. Typically found at the lower end of the rib cage and is characterized as a lump or cone shaped bony protrusion, which may also extend up into the internal cavity of the animal. A Disqualification from Competition.
119. Dew Claw (Dewclaws) - An extra toe or functionless digit on the inside of the front leg. These are found on the inside of the front feet, in a similar position to cats’ and dogs’ dewclaws.
120. Dewlap – A pendulous fold (or folds) of loose skin (or loose fatty flesh) which hangs from the throat. It generally starts around the throat area and hang down to the chest area. Common in does. Should be in proportion to the total body size. In some show breeds a dewlap is accepted, although it is an undesirable trait in other breeds.
121. Digest – to transform food into a form that can be absorbed by the body.
122. Digestible protein (DP) – The amount of protein of feed absorbed by the digestive tract; it may be computed using the formula: Percent DP = Percent crude protein of feed x digestion coefficient for protein in the feed.
123. Disqualification or DQ - One or more permanent defects, deformities, or blemishes that make a rabbit unfit to win an award in competition or to take part in an exhibition. It is also a judge’s decision that renders a rabbit unfit or unacceptable for showing. If your rabbit is disqualified it is important to be aware of the reasons behind the decision. For example not complying (type, colour, size) with the breed standard, a defect or deformity or your rabbit is in poor health/condition. Depending on the actual finding a disqualification can be permanent (such as a missing toe, malocclusion, or nonshowable colour should never be shown again) or temporary-once he has returned in better health. (Disqualified rabbits are not eligible for registration by the ARBA)
124. Doe – An unaltered or intact female rabbit.
125. Double Check Spot - A regular check spot which is divided into two spots by a line of white. Not to be confused with stray coloured spots which may occur around the cheek spot.
126. Drags – Intrusions of colour markings into a white marking area or visa versa.
127. Dressing – See Processing.
128. Ear Canker - An inflamed scabby condition deep inside the ear. It is caused by an infestation of the ear canal by rabbit ear mites. A Disqualification from Competition.
129. Ear Carriage - the way a rabbit carries/holds its ears-for instance a Lop may have good or poor ear carriage.
130. Ear Lacing - A coloured line of fur which outlines the sides and tips of the ears. It can be a black or dark-coloured line of fur outlining the edge of the ears. Extension 1. Length of leg and limb. 2. Depth of colour carried down a hair shaft.
131. Elimination – One or more defects presumed to be temporary and curable. Cause for elimination in a show or from registration until cured or corrected.
132. Embryo – A kit in the early stages of foetal development inside the womb of a doe.
133. Enteritis – Inflammation of the intestinal tract which can often be a fatal illness of the digestive system characterized by diarrhoea and brought on by stress, excessive carbohydrate consumption and/or weaning.
134. Entry – Entries are rabbits that will participate in a particular show.
135. Estrous cycle - Recurring 14 to 16-day cycle when a doe will conceive
136. Eye Bands - The colour around the eye on Dwarf Hotot or Hotot.
137. Eye Circle - Even marking of colour contrasting the eye colour around both eyes. Example: Checkered Giant or as in Tan and Broken varieties
138. Eye Colour - The colour of the iris. The circle of colour which surrounds the pupil of the eye.
139. Eye Stain - Splotches or streaks of colour around the eyes in Himalayans and pointed white varieties.
140. Faking – Any dying, plucking, trimming or clipping so as to alter appearance. (Includes colouring toenails, powdering and indiscriminate use of grooming preparations designed to alter the natural condition of appearance.)
141. False pregnancy - see pseudopregnancy
142. Fancier – a person that is keen on showing and/or breeding rabbits. Faults: various types of conditions or characteristics that are penalised at rabbit shows.
143. Fats – organic compounds found in vegetable oils and animal oils and necessary in the diet of rabbits.
144. Faults – Imperfections. Conditions or characteristics that are unacceptable and will result in lower show placing but not disqualification. Examples: broken toenails, cheek spots too large, and poor tail carriage.
145. Feed conversion - The amount of feed used compared to the amount of weight gained (ration of feed to weight gain)
146. Felting – Wool fibres that have become interwoven during natural growth.
147. Fermentation – A chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds into simple structures; necessary for proper digestion in rabbits.
148. Foetus – The developing young, or kit, still within the doe’s uterus.
149. Fibre – A slender, elongated, thick walled cell that gives strength and support to plants; necessary in the diet of rabbits
150. Field performance trial - Tests on the effectiveness and the efficiency of feeds under real-life conditions, outside the research centre.
151. Fine boned - Simply point outs the other extreme of thickset, solid looking rabbits. Being fine boned is a desirable trait for a breed such as Polish but considered undesirable in most other breeds.
152. Fine Coat - A coat of fur too fine in texture, lacking body. Guard hairs are weak and thin in structure. Lacking the proper amount of guard hairs.
153. Finish – The desired degree of perfection in condition. Fully prime coat, colour and flesh.
154. Flabby – The condition of a rabbit when the flesh or fur (skin) hangs loosely by its own weight. Not trim, shapely or firm of flesh.
155. Flank – The sides of the rabbit between the ribs and hips and above the belly.
156. Flat Coat - Fur lying too closely to the body. Lacks spring or body as noted by touch. Usually a fine coat coupled with a lack of density.
157. Flat Shoulders - A trait that occurs when the top line over the shoulders is noticeably parallel to the surface of the judging table. A lack of continuous arch from the neck over the shoulders.
158. Fly Back - The property of fur that causes it to (or when the fur) return quickly to its normal position when stroked from the tail towards the head of the rabbit (along the spine from the rump to shoulder). Also referred to as prompt and even flowing back of the fur when stroked backwards. This type of coat is expected in certain breeds but a fault in others.
159. Flying Coat - The condition of a coat that is loose and fluffy, caused by undue length and thinness of under wool and weak guard hairs.
160. Foot – The part of the leg on which the rabbit stands. On the foreleg, that portion below the ankle or pattern. On the rear leg, that portion below the hock joint.
161. Forehead – The front part of the head between the eyes and the base of the ears.
162. Foreign Colour - Any colour of fur, nails, or eyes differing from that called for in the ARBA Standard of Perfection for the breed or variety.
163. Forequarters – The portion of the body starting with the neck, back to and including the last rib.
164. Foster out - moving a newborn bunny from a litter too large for the mother to feed to a mother with fewer than eight bunnies.
165. Fostering – The use of a doe other than the dam to nurse and raise young kits.
166. Four Class Rabbits - Rabbit show category for all breeds having ideal adult weight under 9 pounds. There are four show classes for these rabbits: senior bucks, senior does, junior bucks, and junior does.
167. Fringes – The wool appearing on the ears of some woollen breeds. Falls between the tassels and the bangs.
168. Frosty point - An unacceptable/unrecognised colour where instead of the points (ears, tail, feet and muzzle or nose) being fully coloured you’ll see a frosty (usually grey) effect. Sometimes frosty points are so light and if a few coloured strands of fur are missed being seen they are mistakenly labelled as blue-eyed whites.
169. Fryer – A young meat animal, which for show purposes, cannot be over 10 weeks of age or weigh over 5 lbs (or on average about 3 to 5lbs but never over 5lbs)
170. Furnishings – The tassels and fringes on the ears, the bangs and head side trimmings on some wooled breeds. Generally applies to Angora breeds having extended coverage of long wool on their head and ears.
171. Genotype – The genetically inherited (dictated) characteristics and potential of the rabbit stock.
172. Gestation – The period of time that a doe carries young in its uterus. The period of time between breeding/mating and birthing or kindling. Pregnancy. Normal length is 28-32 days. Two or more days earlier or later usually results in birthing problems and/or kitten fatalities.
173. Ghost chin – An unrecognised show colour lacking in black guard hairs, which makes the chin look light, pale and washed out.
174. Glossy – The reflection of luster or brightness from naturally healthy fur in rabbits. Improved by grooming.
175. Grand Champion – A rabbit that has earned three or more legs, at least one of them being a senior leg, under at least two different judges. To obtain a grand champion number and certificate, the legs must be submitted with a fee to ARBA.
176. Group – A broader classification than variety, usually applied to colour groupings.
177. Guard Hair – The longer, stiffer, coarser (than the regular coat of hair or fur), projecting hair of the rabbit’s coat which offers protection to the undercoat and furnishes wearing quality to the coat in addition to providing sheen. The less guard hair on the Rex breeds the better, however in other breeds a generous cover of guard hairs helps to enhance the quality of the coat.
178. Hairline – A narrow white line running between the ears, connecting the blaze and collar on the Dutch.
179. Head tilt – Where the rabbit’s head hangs to the side as if it has a broken neck.
180. Heat Cycle – See Estrous cycle
181. Herdsman Points – One herdsman point is awarded to each HLRSC member for each different rabbit that wins a Best of Breed or Best Opposite Sex in sanctioned shows. Herdsman points are indicators of the depth of the quality of a particular herd.
182. Heredity – Certain characteristics that are inherited from parents to the offspring.
183. Hindquarters – the after-position or posterior section or rear section of the body made up of loins, hips, (upper) hind legs, and rump.
184. Hip – The thigh joint and large, muscular first joint of the hind leg.
185. HLRSC – Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club: national specialty club for Holland Lops. All Holland Lop breeders should belong to HLRSC.
186. Hock – The middle joint or section of the hind leg between the foot and hip (much like the position of our ankle).
187. Hog Fat – The condition of a rabbit obviously over-fattened and, as a result, out of proportion to the true type of the breed.
188. Hump Back – the condition of having a hump or protrusion on the back, marring an otherwise gracefully arched outline.
189. Hutch Burn – Due to the caustic properties of urine and unclean conditions in the hutch, the genital/posterior area can get inflamed and chapped. In shows this is a disqualifiable condition.
190. Hutch Stain – Varying shades of yellow discolouration (caused by urine) on the coat. In shows there are penalties according to the severity of staining. Inbreeding: breeding closely related rabbits with each other, such as mother to son, brother to sister or father to daughter. In two coats: displaying a coat in the process of moulting-containing previous season’s coat as well as growth of a new coat.
191. Inbreeding – A breeding program involving the mating of closely related rabbit stock, such as brother and sister.
192. Infertility – The inability to become pregnant or to produce offspring.
193. Inherited – The degree to which a trait of characteristic is passed on from a parent to offspring.
194. Inner Ear – The concave (curved inward) position of the ear.
195. Intermediate - A show class term referring to rabbits that are at least six months old and no older than eight months and that fulfil the weight requirements of the breed.
196. Intestinal flora – the micro organisms present in the intestine; some are required for digestion
197. Inventory – A list of everything on hand that is necessary to the project. A beginning inventory is taken at the start of a project year. An ending inventory is taken at the close of a project year.
198. Iris - The circle of colour in an eye surrounding the pupil
199. Junior - A show class term referring to rabbits that are aged between fourteen weeks and six months of age and that fulfil the weight requirements of the breed.
200. JW – the Jersey Wooly breed.
201. Kindling - The process of giving birth (labour) to kits or to the young or to a litter of kittens.
202. Kindling Box – a box provided to does so that she can make a nest and have babies in it. Also called a nest box.
203. Kit – Baby rabbit.
204. Kitten – Although kitten relates to a baby rabbit from newborn up until it is a junior, a show kitten class is specifically aged between eight and fourteen weeks.
205. Knee – The second joint of the leg, connecting the thigh and leg. In animals, more properly called the “hock”. The second joint of the foreleg is the elbow.
206. Knock Kneed – See Cow Hocks.
207. Lactate – The production of milk whether actually having a litter or lactation may occur during a pseudopregnancy.
208. Lactation - production of milk
209. Lagomorphs – The species that belongs to the genus Orctolagus Cuniculus and otherwise known as cute bunny rabbits!
210. Lapin – French word for rabbit. Also, in the fur trade, it is dyed rabbit fur.
211. Lazy Tail – A tail that is slow to assume its normal position when it is moved.
212. Leg – A leg is earned by winning in an ARBA-sanctioned show as long as there are three exhibitors and five rabbits competing for the win. For example, first place in a class of five or more bunnies showed by three or more different exhibitors would earn a leg. 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.
213. Leg ring – an aluminium identification ring placed on the leg, which rests just above the hock joint.
214. Line breeding – A breeding program involving the mating of rabbits that are both descended from the same animal but are related several generations back (some close ancestry). For example: mating first cousins, uncle to niece, or aunt to nephew or grandchild to grandparent.
215. Litter – Young rabbits being raised by a doe. Young rabbits of a doe born at the same time. Where two or more rabbit babies are produced from a single pregnancy.
216. Live Weight – The weight of a rabbit before it is dressed for market.
217. Loin – The part of the back on either side of the spine and between the lower rib and hip joint. The portion of the back on either side past the saddle, and above the hips.
218. Loose Coat – The condition of fur lacking density in the undercoat, coupled usually with fine guard hairs and resulting in lack of texture. Does not indicate a slipping coat.
219. Lopped Ear – Pendulous ear. Not carried erect. Falling to the side or front. The opposite of erect ears. Lop ears are pendulous and carried down the side of the rabbit’s head.
220. Luster – Brightness and brilliance of fur.
221. Malocclusion - An inherited defect where the upper and lower jaws do not let the teeth meet (misalignment of teeth), resulting in long, uneven teeth extending out of the rabbit’s mouth. Malformation of the front teeth that results in them overgrowing and twisting, either inside or outside of the mouth-and a disqualification on the show table.
222. Mandolin - The body of the rabbit is pear shaped, having the appearance of a mandolin laid face down. Back and saddle arch toward loins to make noticeably large, broad hindquarters.
223. Marked – A rabbit’s fur, usually white, which is broken up by an orderly placement of another colour. Also refers to rabbits that carry the pattern of the Tan variety.
224. Massive – A term meaning bulky and heavy. Ponderous or large.
225. Mating – Breeding a doe to a buck.
226. Matted – a term used to describe the coat-usually applicable to long coated breeds-which refers to any kind of tangling or webbing of fur or wool.
227. Mature – A fully grown and developed animal.
228. Meaty – The quality of being able to carry a large proportion of meat for the size and type of rabbit. A noticeable meatiness at the forequarters, back, saddle, loins, and haunches.
229. Metabolize – to undergo change in a complex physical or chemical manner; necessary for the maintenance of life.
230. Mineral – a substance neither animal nor vegetable, but inorganic, such as iron and other elements; many minerals are necessary in the diet of rabbits.
231. Miss – see Pass
232. Moult (Molt) – The process of shedding or changing the fur twice each year. The process of a rabbit losing its fur or shedding. The baby or nest fur is moulted at two months. The first natural coat of fur is fully developed at 4 to 6 months. In shows it is penalised according to severity.
233. Muzzle – The projecting portion of the head surrounding the mouth, nose, and lower jaw. The lower part of a rabbit’s face, comprising the area around the mouth, nose and lower jaw.
234. Nationals – A national specialty show held by a national specialty club (such as the Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club) and sponsored by a local club. The HLRSC show is in the spring.
235. ND – the Netherland Dwarf breed.
236. Neck – That part of the rabbit connecting the head and body.
237. Nest – A whole in straw or hay, which a doe lines with fur, preparing for the litter to be born.
238. Nest Box – A kindling box inside the hutch or cage hole where the kits are born and live for the first 18 to 21 days. A receptacle (usually plastic or wood) provided to does so that she can make a nest and have babies in it (give birth to a litter of kittens). Sometimes referred to as a kindling box.
239. Nick – mating that produces offspring superior to either parent.
240. Night faeces – soft faeces produced at night, higher in vitamins with a gel like consistency.
241. Nutrition – the steps by which a living organism takes in food and uses it for growth and tissue replacement.
242. Off-Coloured – Applied to several hairs or patches of fur foreign to the standard colour of the rabbit.
243. Open - Shows that are open to exhibitors of all ages.
244. Open Coat – Fur that is beginning to lose its texture and luster and is almost ready to molt. See Loose Coat.
245. Open Doe – A female rabbit being of breeding age, and not having been bred yet.
246. Out breeding – A breeding program involving the mating or breeding of unrelated rabbits of the same breed.
247. Outcrossing - Breeding unrelated rabbits of the same breed.
248. Pair – A male and a female rabbit or a compatible breeding pair (to be mated).
249. Palatable – acceptable to the taste; agreeable in flavour.
250. Palpate – A test to determine pregnancy. To see if the doe has young in the uterus, by feeling the abdominal wall.
251. Palpation (Palpitation) – A method or technique of examining or feeling doe’s abdomen by touch used to determine if a doe is pregnant and will bear young (or feeling for the developing young to determine successful mating or to determine the presence or absence of embryos).
252. Parturition – The act of giving birth. See Kindling.
253. Pass – Failure to conceive.
254. Patches – Small sections of fur with a colour foreign to the standard of the rabbit.
255. Pathogen – any micro organism that produces disease (bacteria, viruses, yeasts, moulds, and parasites)
256. Paunch – The prominent portion of the abdomen of the rabbit.
257. Pea spots – found on some tan patterned rabbits, which have a different coloured spot at the base of each of the ears.
258. Peanut – A bunny with two dwarf genes, which is a fatal combination. A description of a minute sized kitten that has inherited the lethal double dwarf gene.
259. Pedigree – Written record (chart) of the male and female ancestors, showing the date of birth and the parents, grandparents, and great grandparents of the rabbit. Most rabbit pedigrees trace back at least 3 generations. It is an ancestral record of an individual rabbit’s parentage and documented on a certificate. Also included is the rabbit’s date of birth, breed, colour, leg ring or tattoo (whichever applicable) and the breeder’s stud name and/or details.
260. Pelage – The fur coat or covering.
261. Pelt – rabbit skin and fur.
262. Pepper and Salt – A flat, unattractive appearance of black and white ticking.
263. pH – a measure of acidity on a scale of 1 to 7; 1 is high acid, 7 is neutral
264. Phenotype – The appearance of the individual rabbit. A combination of rabbit genotype and the environment the rabbit was raised.
265. Pirouetting – Describing the action of a rabbit sitting upright on its haunches (as if in a begging pose) to receive viewing from a higher stance.
266. Poor Coat - A term describing fur that is not in good condition through moulting, rust, poor grooming, or ill health of the rabbit.
267. Ppm – parts per million
268. Pre-Junior - An unofficial term for rabbits that are old enough to be weaned but not mature enough to show as a junior.
269. Processing – The process of killing and preparing a rabbit for market.
270. Protein – any group of complex organic compounds that contain amino acids; necessary for the growth and repair of animal tissue.
271. Proven – A doe or buck have successfully proven to produce offspring.
272. Pseudopregnancy – 17 day period during which a doe does not conceive. The doe exhibits symptoms in hormonal balance simulating pregnancy. A doe behaving as if pregnant but is not.
273. Purebred – Any recognized breed kept pure for generations.
274. Pus - a liquid product of inflammation consisting of leukocytes, lymph, bacteria, dead tissue cells, and fluid fromo their decomposition.
275. Putty nose - A white marking or spot on a coloured rabbit, or a lack of fur on the nose.
276. Quality Points - HLRSC members earn two quality points for each Best of Breed and Best In Show and one quality point for each Best Opposite Sex and Best Reserve (also Best 4 Class, when available) won in sanctioned shows.
277. Rabbit – A domesticated lagamorph of the genus Orctolagus Cuniculus. A leporidal family. However, domestic rabbits differ from wild hares in many ways. For instance wild hares who are born with fur, they can see and hear and hop around shortly after they are born. Unlike domestic rabbits are born blind, deaf, naked and in a nest unable to hop around.
278. Rabbit Dietary Fibre – the types of fibre found by Purina to be most beneficial to the digestive system of rabbits.
279. Rabbitry – A rabbit-raising enterprise or place where domestic rabbits are kept. A rabbit stud’s establishment of stock and their housing environment.
280. Racy - A term meaning slim, trim, slender in body and legs, hare-like, alert, and active. A rabbit that is long in the body, fine boned, slim/slender, and sleek or hare-like.
281. Recessive – Covered up by a dominate characteristic, a characteristic which is passed from parent to offspring. (yellow fat, woolly cat etc.)
282. 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.
283. Registration – An official recording of a rabbit’s pedigree, as well as a complete examination by an ARBA registrar of the type and condition of that animal. Registration is a process of bringing a rabbit before a licensed registrar to verify that it meets the qualifications established by the ARBA for that breed and has a three-generation pedigree, supplying pedigree information and paying a registration fee in order to obtain a registration number, tattoo and certificate.
284. Replacement – Animal saved for future breeding.
285. REW – Ruby-eyed White: white bunny with ruby eyes resulting from two REW (cc) genes. Red-Eyed White. Some people wonder if red-eyed white rabbits are like albinos being susceptible to eye or skin cancer problems. Neither has been a problem with red-eyed white rabbits.
286. Ribs – The curved portions of the sides immediately back of the shoulders and above the belly.
287. Roll back - When stroked from the rump to the shoulder the coat returns to normal position at a slower pace than a fly back coat.
288. Roughage – course indigestible parts of food containing cellulose; stimulates the digestive system’s muscular contractions necessary for the movement of food through the intestines. Hay, grass or grass-like substance.
289. Rump – The hind portion of the back and bones (or hip area).
290. Rust – A reddish-brown colouration of fur, usually appearing on the side, flanks, or feet of rabbits, having the appearance of iron rust and being foreign to the standard colour. Rust usually appears in American Blues, Black Havanas, and Lilacs. May be caused by fading through over-exposure to the sunlight, dirty hutches, or dead hair about to molt.
291. Saddle – The rounded, intermediate portion of the back between the shoulder and loin. The area encompassing shoulders, back and hindquarters.
292. Sanctioned - shows that abide by ARBA and HLRSC (and perhaps local association) show rules and pay sanction fees are said to be ARBA sanctioned and/or HLRSC sanctioned (and perhaps sanctioned by other clubs as well). Sweepstakes points are accumulated only from sanctioned shows. Only legs earned at ARBA sanctioned shows can be used to earn a Grand Champion certification.
293. Sandy – The colour of sand, as in sand-gray Flemish Giants. Gray with reddish brown cast interspersed with dark guard hairs.
294. Scanning – An action of sitting still while swaying the head back and forth, mainly performed by red-eyed white rabbits.
295. Scours – A persistent diarrhoea in animals. A disqualifiable condition in shows.
296. Screw Tail - A tail that is twisted. A corkscrew tail has more than one turn and is a disqualification. A tail permanently positioned crooked or twisted out towards the side of the body.
297. Self – a fur colour pattern where the hair colours are the same on each hair shaft all over the bunny. The pattern that may be modified by the c-series gene (such as in sable point). Black is an example of a self colour.
298. Self or Self-Coloured - A fur colour pattern where the hair colours are the same on each hair shaft all over the bunny. The pattern that may be modified by the c-series gene (such as in sable point). Black is an example of a self colour. The condition of having the same-coloured fur over the entire head, legs, body, and tail. Not having ticking, agouti hair pattern, or shadings.
299. Self-Coloured - The same colour over the entire body, solid coloured.
300. Senior – A show class term referring to rabbits that fulfill the weight requirements of the breed and that are: six months of age and older in those breeds having two show classes (Junior and Senior) or eight months of age and older in those breeds having three show classes (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior).
301. Service – The mating act of the buck with the doe.
302. Servicing – Mating a buck to a doe.
303. Sexing – Determine the sex of an animal.
304. Shaded – A colour group of Siamese sable, Siamese smoke (otherwise known as smoke pearl), seal point and sooty fawn.
305. Shadow Bars - Weakness of self-colour in the fur of both fore and hind feet, appearing in the form of white or lighter coloured bars running across the feet. Acts as a severe cut or penalty in scoring. Occurs more often in the agouti breeds than in selfs.
306. Shoulder – The uppermost joint of the foreleg, connecting it with the body.
307. Silvered – A term describing an abundance of silver-white or sliver-tipped guard hairs interspersed through the fur that produces a lustrous silvery appearance.
308. Sire – Male rabbit that produced an offspring. A rabbit’s sire is its father.
309. Six Class Rabbits - Rabbit show category for all breeds having ideal senior weight of 9 pounds and over. There are six show classes for these rabbits: senior bucks, senior does, intermediate bucks, intermediate does, junior bucks and junior does.
310. Slipping Coat - A coat that is shedding or moulting a profusion of hairs.
311. Slobbers – Excessive salivation creating wet or extremely moist and unsightly fur around the mouth and lower jaw and forelegs. Drooling saliva, which creates wet fur around the mouth and may also affect the chin and chest.
312. Smut – A term describing slate grey fur that is foreign to the standard colour for the breed. Example: Creme D’Argent. A darker muzzle and nose marking, found on some rabbits in the shaded colour groups.
313. Snaky – A term describing the slender, narrow body characteristic that is typical of the Himalayan.
314. Snipey – A term describing a narrow and elongated head (and nose), with an appearance of undue leanness.
315. Snuffles – A broadly used term for any condition that involves sneezing, laboured breathing and a creamy discharge from nostrils.
316. Solid-Coloured - The condition of having the same colour uniformity over the entire animal, not mixed with any colour. Having no markings or shadings.
317. Sore hocks - Where the undersides of back feet are bare and the skin is red and sore with scabs and/or calluses. In shows, rabbits with sore hocks are either disqualified outright or penalised, according to the severity of the condition.
318. Spaddled – 1. Forefeet=Bowed outwardly, knocked knee. 2. Blackfeet=turned outward, not set parallel to body. Can be caused from a slippery nest box.
319. Specialty Club - A club specializing in one particular breed.
320. Splayed legs - This condition can vary from mild (hardly noticeable) to severe and there are various reasons as to why it happens. Serious cases are noticeable when bunny is sitting or hopping. The back legs stick out sideways instead of tucking under the abdomen and he may have difficulty in supporting his body.
321. Sport – A rabbit not true to the characteristic markings of its breed. Examples: English Spots, Rhinelanders, or Checkered Giants lacking white colour.
322. Spraddled Legs - A term describing forefeet bowed outward when viewed from the front. Knock-kneed. Hind feet not set parallel with the body. Turned outward from the hock joint.
323. Spraying – the action of deliberately squirting urine to mark out territorial area and/or scent an object.
324. Squealing – A high pitched, loud vocal sound that is made when rabbits are in great pain, are being attacked or feel as if their life is being threatened.
325. Standard – Characteristics for a breed of rabbit as approved and written down by a registration organization such as ARBA.
326. Sterile – Unable to produce offspring.
327. Stocky – A short, compact, stout and cobby body type.
328. Stops – A reference to defined white markings on the hind foot extending upward from toes and ending abruptly about one third of the way to the hocks of the Dutch breed. Ideally these are 3.17 cm (1 ¼ inches) in length. .
329. Strain – A line of descent on family ancestry or a race of stock of rabbits in (within) any standard (or given) breed of the same family blood, having the quality of reproducing marked radical characteristics.
330. Stress – Strain on the health of an animal.
331. Stringy - The quality of having a ropy or sinewy finish, noticeable in the larger breeds of rabbits if not properly fattened for market.
332. Stud Buck – A male rabbit suitable (by having good traits) for breeding.
333. Succulent Feed – Grass, green growing plants, which contain a high percent of moisture.
334. Suckling Period – The time period in which the young nurse from a doe
335. Replacement – Animal saved for future breeding.
336. Sway Back – The condition of having a distinct fall or scoop in that portion of the back between the shoulders and hindquarters, as distinguished from a gradually arching back.
337. Sweep – An unbroken flow of designated markings. There should be no gaps or congested areas.
338. Sweepstakes - Sweepstakes contests are conducted by national rabbit clubs such as the HLRSC and some local clubs as well. For the HLRSC, sweepstakes points are earned as follows: 6 points per rabbit shown for first place, 4 points per rabbit for second place, 3 points per rabbit for third place, 2 points per rabbit for fourth place, and 1 point for rabbit for fifth place. Best of Breed earns two points per rabbit shown in the breed. Best Opposite Sex earns one point per rabbit shown in the breed. For Nationals and Convention, first place through tenth place earn the following points, respectively, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 per rabbit shown.
339. Symmetry – A harmonious proportion of head, ears, legs, and body structure conforming to the standard type of the breed represented.
340. Tail Carriage – The way in which a rabbit carries its tail. A tail being carried to one side or the other has poor tail carriage.
341. Tan pattern – Show classes related to a specific patterned group, for example marten sable, Siamese smoke marten (smoke pearl marten), otter and fox.
342. Tattoo – Placed in the ear of a rabbit for identification purposes, a permanent mark, with a specific code for each individual-marked on the inside of a rabbit’s ear.
343. Texture - The character of fur (coat) as determined by feel or touch, such as “fine” or “coarse” texture.
344. Ticking – A wavy distribution of longer guard hair (which stands out, defined from the main coat colour) throughout the fur. Ticking is usually produced by black-tipped guard hairs and adds to the beauty of the fur. Examples: Chinchillas, Flemish Giants, and Belgian Hares.
345. Tort – Short for tortoiseshell, the most prevalent Holland Lop fur colour; when used alone refers to black tortoiseshell rather than blue, chocolate or lilac tortoiseshell.
346. Toxic – Poison.
347. Trancing- The action of placing a rabbit in a prone position where it remains quite still and immobile.
348. Triangle – A small triangular area behind the base of the ear that is a lighter or different colour from the main colour of the coat.
349. Trio – A buck and two does of the same breed. Two does and a buck, often matched for breeding to begin or expand a rabbitry. ‘Showing’ three rabbits of the same breed.
350. Tucked Up – The trim appearance of a Belgian Hare, with rounded body and breast and belly gathered in closely to form an arch when the rabbit is sitting.
351. Type - A term used to denote body conformation of a rabbit or shape of a particular part of a rabbit, as in “head type”. The general description of the physical makeup of the rabbit.
352. Typical – A term describing an ideal representative of any given breed or variety as applied to type, colour, or fur quality.
353. Under Colour – The base of the fur shaft. Shaft next (closest) to the skin. Not the belly fur of the rabbit. base of the fur hair
354. Undercoat – The softer, shorter fur of a rabbit’s coat, protected by the guard hairs.
355. Uterus – Organ in the doe in which developing kits or foetuses are contained and nourished before birth. Also called the womb.
356. Variety – A subdivision of any recognized standard breed, distinct in colour of fur from other subdivisions. Group of animals within a breed separated by colour. In Hollands, the colour and the pattern of the fur. For example, solid tort or broken sable point. If no pattern is mentioned, then solid is assumed.
357. Vent – A term for female rabbit’s (doe’s) genitals.
358. Vent Disease – Found in both bucks and does. Indications are: reddened, scabby, usually pus producing male and female organs.
359. Vetting – The process of health checking exhibitors’ rabbits before they enter a show pavilion/exhibition area.
360. Vitamins – Complex organic substances found in plant and animal tissue; necessary for control of metabolic process (see metabolize)
361. W.B.C – White Blood Cell count
362. Wall Eyes (Moon Eyes) – The condition of having a milky film over the cornea or where the eye has an extremely pale blue or light iris, giving it a glazed opaque appearance or appearance similar to a moonstone. Coloured eyes having an extremely light iris, giving the eye a glazed appearance.
363. Warrens – outside pens where groups, or colonies, of rabbits are raised.
364. Weaner – newly weaned rabbit
365. Weaning – The process by which young rabbits become independent of the doe for their nourishment. A young rabbit is weaned when it is between 4 and 8 weeks old, depending on the breeding schedule used and the breed of rabbit. The separation of young from the doe. Ending the lactating and nursing period. A time when kittens start the process of eating (switching to) solid foods and drinking less of (denying) mother’s milk.
366. Webbing – a collection of matting and intertwining of a rabbit’s fur/wool.
367. Wolf Teeth – Protruding or elongated teeth in the upper and lower jaw caused by improper alignment of the upper and lower front teeth preventing normal eating action.
368. Womb – see Uterus
369. Wool – A term describing the fur of Angora rabbits. The guard hairs and under-fur being 2-1/2 to 5 inches long and resembling fine wool in texture. The fur of Angora rabbits, which can be removed (by brushing, clipping or plucking) and made into luxurious warm garments.
370. Wool Block – Undigestible mass of wool blocking food from passing through the digestive tract. Always feed some roughage, as it helps to clean out any undigested wool in the digestive tract.
371. Wry Neck – the same condition as ‘Head tilt’.
372. Wry Tail – Abnormally bent, curled, or twisted tail. Permanently held to one side. A disqualification for a rabbit. Cork screw tail.
373. Youth - Exhibitors under age 19.
374. Zoonosis – Any disease which can be transmitted to humans.
Contrary to what a lot of people think, rabbits do not just live in burrows. They live in a warren. A burrow is a hole or tunnel dug in the ground by a small animal, such as a rabbit or mole, for habitation or refuge or is a narrow or snug place while a warren is a series of connected underground tunnels occupied by rabbits.
