Breeding For Improvements

​I have been and probably always will be a person with a strong belief in breeding animals (of any kind) to a standard set forth by the National Breed Club. Many people before us, took the time and effort of creatuing this breed standard. This breed standard is also what is used when showing and competing against others.
No breeding should be done just because. Each one needs to have a purpose of goal.


With that said, how do you breed for improvements? Well first and foremost you need to know the in's and out's of your breed standard. You should also be attending shows. Watch your breed, even if you do not have any animals on the table being judged. Watch how the judge sets up an animal and look at how he/she points out the faults and positives of each animal. I would advise watching several shows, and even showing your own. Make notes when showing your own, as far as what each judge says. Compare these notes for consistancy, and go over your rabbits yourself and see if you can find any of these consistant faults.


Once you have studied your breed standard, and have learned some of the faults in your own rabbits, its time to match up your pairs for breedings. Sometimes I find it helpful to put the two side by side. Never be afraid to ask another breeder, one with more experience than yourself for advice!!!


Not every litter you produce in the future is going to have something worth keeping. And sometimes there are times, when, if you want to carry on that particular line, you have too. If you end up with one, that you HAVE to keep, but its less then the quality you were hoping to achieve, breed it to the best animal you have. This task is usually easier to do with does. Once you get a litter from her, move her on, either by selling her as a pet or culling her.


As a rule of thumb in my barn, my bucks need to be spectacular. I do not like having bucks that are mediocore. Keep in mind however, that Mini Lops are not fully mature until 2 years of age. But severe faults are not going to change, such as long in shoulders or midsection, pinched hips, etc.


If you have those super bucks in your barn, one of the best ways to improve is line breeding. Take that doe that is less than great quality right back to her daddy who is super. Keep a doe from that litter, should you get one, and move the mother on. Your next breeding with that keeper jr doe, should not be a total outcross, but not so closely related.


I have found that staying within certian bloodlines and not consistantly breeding completely unrelated rabbits together will stregthen your lines, and all the good qualities within. It may take several generations to see the grand improvements, but it will happen with patience and knowledge of your standard.