srbuying

How to buy a show quality rabbit and choosing a breed

There are 45 different breeds of rabbits recognized by the ARBA. Before choosing a breed, I recommend going to an open rabbit show and looking around and talking to breeders of different breeds.
An open show is the best place to buy a show rabbit, or to at least meet a breeder to buy from. 99% of the time a rabbit from a pet store or feed store is not show quality. Breeders take their rabbits that are not showable to the pet stores and feed stores. It’s best not to buy rabbits from these places unless you know what you’re looking at (I once bought a Tan at a feed store which a few months later won a 1st Reserve in Show). At the show, look at all the different breeds. Ask breeders if you can hold their’s to see how the temperament of the breed is. Watch the breed up on the show table to see how much competion the breed has and to learn more about them. Talk to quite a few different breeders, and see which breeder they recommend the most for buying from. Find out what they like and don’t like about the breed.
Prices of rabbits range, depending on how good the rabbit is, how rare the breed is, or how big the breeder you’re getting it from is. I know for me, I sell all my rabbits who aren't show quality for $10, then my show ones start at $15 and up. For a really good rabbit, you'll probably be paying $30-$50 though. Don’t buy just weaned 6 week old babies unless you know what you’re looking at. Just because they’re cute doesn’t mean that they’ll show good on the show table when they get older. Some breeds go through what is called the “uglies”. This is when they reach about 8 weeks old they are like the ugly duckling. But as these rabbits mature, and are about 4-6 months old is when they come out of it into the swan age. But then there are other breeds that do their best while they’re young, between 3-6 month of age. For some breeds there’s slow developing lines, and fast developing lines. It’s best to ask the breeder who you’re buying from at what age do their rabbits do their best. Before buying the rabbit, it’s best to get a second opinion on it. Ask another breeder of the breed or a judge whose not busy with judging what they think of the rabbit.
At open shows, there are usually cage vendors there where you can buy everything you'll need for your rabbit, for a lot cheaper price. At a pet store or feed store, a cage can run for around $60. At open shows they cost around $20-$30, mattering on the size. I also highly recommend picking up the Standard of Perfection (SOP) from them. These are usually about $15. The SOP is the Bible to rabbit breeders. If the cage vender has information on joining the ARBA, pick it up and join the club. With your membership you will recieve a subscription of the Domestic Rabbits Magazine, the ARBA’s Official Guide Book to Raising Better Rabbits and Cavies, a yearbook listing all the members of the ARBA, ect. Also with your membership you will be able to register your rabbits with the ARBA, and receive Grand Champion certificates once your rabbit qualifies.
When choosing a rabbit, something you have to take into consideration is that the smaller the rabbit is, the more popular it is on the show table. But that also means your rabbit is more likly to win a leg if it does win. It takes three legs for a rabbit to qualify to be a Grand Champion.
Here in Washington, some of the more popular breeds are the Holland Lop, Dutch, Mini Rex, and the Netherland Dwarf.
Below I have a link to a page that has pictures of the different breeds and a little
something about the breed (weight, varieties or groups, ect.).

Breed Profiles
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