Conformationally correct is a term used to describe the structure of the animal.  All breeds have a standard in which breeders use as a guideline in producing offspring.  The goal is to get as close to the standard as possible.  No animal will be 100% perfectly Conformationally correct, and in order to be able to breed towards this, its important to have your animals evaluated by a variety of judges on a regular basis. 

The placements, wins or losses, should also be considered when pairing up two animals for a litter.  The judges comments are not something concrete, but something to always keep in the back of your mind.  Each  judge will see something different in the same animal.  On occasion each judge will see the same thing, and in that case you should keep that at the top of your list to breed out, or not breed that animal all together.  Things such as a narrow head, light bone, well breed to a larger boned animal.  All breedings should be made for improvements.

If a breeder is not showing their animals then there is no way to really learn the breed standards as they are subjective.  It is easy for a person to not notice a particular fault and focus on certain things such as shoulders.  It is easy to become "barn/Kennel Blind", which is why having your animals evaluated is important.  Watching all the animals being judged that day is also a huge learning experience for the owner/breeder as you can see how the winning animal exhibits and what you could be missing in your breeding program.  Showing is an extension of the knowledge of the breed.​

Do you know how frustrating and heartbreaking it is to watch a young kid come to their first rabbit show, toting with them their most prized possession...the rabbit they bought from you.  The one you told them was show quality and would no doubt do well in the shows.  Only to watch that kid hold back the tears as their best buddy, beloved freind was disqualified off the show table, being told the rabbit they purchased from you was not a show quality animal, or it was not quality at all?

Sadly, this happens all too often.  It hurts.  It really does.

First lets clarify Show Quality.  When someone states that an animal is show quality, it simply means that at that time, the animals meets all the requirements for being able to be shown, and does not exhibit any disqalifications according to the Standard set forth for that breed.  Also, two rabbits bred together that ARE show quality will not always produce show quality offspring.  To know an animal is show quality, you have to be very familiar with the standard for that breed.  If you are not familiar, then you should at least have the standard so that while examining your litters you can compare them to the written standard.  

The standard was created to give breeders a blueprint to breed towards. Without it, you can end up with animals not able to perform the duties in which they were bred for.  Yes, even rabbits have a purpose.  When you start breeding subpar animals, you are destroying what generations of hard work has created.  You will end up with animals that are unhealthy, poor coloration, poor meat/flesh condition, Poor temperments,  Twisted spines, cronic illness, low immune systems, poor fur....the list goes on.

In addition to disqualifications, there are faults.  Now faults do not mean that an animal cannot be shown, but depending on the fault, it does mean it could be less likely to win.  Knowing what these faults are, are very important when it comes to breeding.  You do not want to breed two rabbits with pinched hindquarters together, because, well...what do you think they are going to produce?  That's right.  Pinched Hindquarters.  How well do you think a rabbit with pinched Hindquarters will place against one without?  Not very well.  

Now I know its not to hard to read a breed standard and figure out what the disqalifications are.  But, can you tell easily the difference between Long, Low or Narrow shoulders?  What does it mean when an animal is hollow in the loin?  Is the crown slipped?  How wide should the eye set be? Are the teeth budding?

If your not showing, you cant know all this.  This is not something you can learn from a book.  This is not something you learn from attending one show.  This is something you learn over years of showing and even years of breeding.  Dedicated breeders who show know to breed that narrow shouldered doe to a wide shouldered buck.  Good breeders know how to breed for improvements, evaluate, cull and breed again.

And again, breeding to a standard is not just for creating a show animal.  It is to create an animal that is correct in movement, sound in temperment and in good health!

If you are looking to purchase a rabbit that you would like to show at any time in the furture, ask your breeder:

Are you an ARBA Member?
Are you a member of the National Breed Club?
Are you a member of any local Clubs?
Do you have registered stock?
Do you actively show?

Ask your breeder to show you POSED photos of the animals for purchase.  Or, if you are face to face, ask the breeder to pose the animal for you.  Ask the breeder to highlight the animals good points and bad points,

But if you are serious about wanting a show rabbit...then go to a show.  Meet the breeders, look at the breeds.  Learn, watch and buy.  Do not be fooled by these so called breeders who are only breeding for money.  Chances are, you will find a better bred animal....for cheaper, from a breeder who breeds for a purpose, other than money.

​I am just going to put this out there. I don't care how many top big wins at convention or best in shows you have won. If your animals are disqualified off the table for showing signs of sickness, and are further scratched from remaining shows that day you DO NOT:
1. Continue to touch those sick animals and then healthy animals without disinfecting/washing your hands.
2. Walk through the showroom with said sick animals, past other exhibitors healthy animals, and up to the show table with your other entries! IF you cannot safely place your animals outside of the showroom, then place them away from other animals and cover them!
3. MOST IMPORTANT HERE....YOU DO NOT, and I repeat, FUCKING DO NOT unscratch them from the next show and place them again on the table after checking and wiping away the snot!
If this is how you make a big name for yourself in this hobby. I don't want it.

​ I should have written this out a while ago, but such is life.  This particular little buck's story still warms my heart every time I think of it, so although late, I will post it anyway!

​Charlie was born April, 2019.  After weeks of watching him and his siblings grow and mature, he was the one held back.  He was always my favorite compared to the rest of his litter.  Had the best head, best top line, best Hindquarters, etc.  But....Charlie was a buck.  I really didn't need anymore bucks.  Especially not a broken Chestnut!
I mean, his color wouldn't destroy a tri color program, but it was not what I needed to move forward in my breeding project.  But I held on to him anyway.  I liked him.  After all, his parents where some of my best in my barn!
I put Charlie in a bottom cage, and thought, I would just leave him there...let him grow, and look at him down the line.  But I pulled him out every week.  Checking to see if maybe, just maybe the penis fairy came and well....took his penis away.  I didn't need another buck!
All through the summer this young buck hung out in the lower level of the barn.  He was adeptly named BHMB Look That Kill.  His name was very suiting, as this was a good looking buck.  I knew he was going to show well, he was going to be a good contender.  I had shown him a few times as a junior.  Of course, during one of his growth spurts, when he was in his gangly stage.  Even then he never took bottom, but he didn't take first either, always in the middle.
I debated keeping him, all the while I had him on the sale list.  This buck was killing me, without performing the act himself.  Thus where his call name came from, Charlie Manson.  I hemmed and hawed over this buck for months!

I had held back several junior bucks this past breeding season.  Even though I knew I was not going to keep all of them.  I grew them out to see which was the best, and to see what I truly needed to move my program further for next year.
In comparison to all the bucks I held back, Charlie was the best.  But, he was a broken Chestnut.  And a buck.  The penis fairy never came and took it away.  He remained a buck, no matter how much I pleaded for the penis fairy to come.  Had Charlie been a doe, he would have remained here!  Not a doubt in my mind about that!
When all was said and done, and all my litters had come, the best out of each was held back regardless of color or sex.   Fall was now upon us, and winter will be here before I know it.  I needed to cut back on the herd and the hard choices had to be made.  In the end, it came down to getting my tri & chocolate breeding program into the next generation.  What did my does need moving forward?   I went from seven to four junior bucks, Charlie being one of them, based on body type alone.  ​

​The final decision came down to these two boys pictured above.  Litter mates, but both would work in both the tri color and the chocolate program.  Both boys were very nice, the Tri color placed extremely well, and when shown with Charlie as a broken Junior buck, always placed above him.  Twister & Doc were exactly what I needed.  It was then confirmed that Charlie had to go.
Charlie hitched a ride with us at every fall show we had attended.  Hoping to find him a new barn to call his own and claim his rightful place as the King!  He traveled all the way to Monroe, Washington, but no one was interested in Mini Lops there at all.  He had two shows left to find a home before it was the end of the line.
I could not keep him, I had to stick with my plan and be firm.  He needed to find a home, or to freezer camp he went.  I hadn't looked him over in weeks after my final decision was made.  I did not want to be tempted into keeping him.  The last show I attended was in Helena, Montana.  Charlie was there, and again, no one wanted him.  I tried hard to send him home with my friend and Mini/English Lop breeding partner of Off Grid Farms.  She too had limited cage space.  She could not take him.  But Charlie had one last shot.  My other friend and Harlequin Breeding partner Nickie would be attending a show in Moscow, Idaho the following weekend.  I was already planning on sending with her a couple to sell, and a few to show.  Those that were not going to show, but just going to find homes would not be returning to their birthplace if they were unable to find a new barn.
Nickie kept me posted throughout the show, letting me know how my animals placed on the table.  She had also informed me that a lady with her son was set up close by to where she was set up and wanted to look at the Mini Lops I sent with her.  The young man wanted Charlie.  He was in love with him.  Nickie told me this and it just warmed my heart!  I was glad that Charlie was going to a good home.  Better yet, a youth interested in showing!  Charlie deserved that chance to strut his stuff.
The next day, Nickie called me after getting some rest from the show, and all the traveling, to fill me in on all the details.  She told me comments from what judges had said about the few Mini Lops I sent with her, and again was telling me how this young man was so thrilled to be able to purchase Charlie.  She had told me she overheard a conversation when the young man was showing his purchase to another person.  This person had asked the young man. "How much did you pay for this rabbit?"  In which the young man replied "$25".  The person was amazed by his response.  
The club hosting the show was accepting day of show entries, and allowed this young man to enter Charlie in the second show of the day.  Out of 50 Mini Lops entered, Charlie went on to win Best of Breed or Best Opposite of Breed (I can't exactly recall now, but it was one of the two!)   This just warms my heart, even to this day!  Not only did Charlie decide at the last minute, his last chance, to find his person, but he finally decided to strut his stuff!   This amazing little buck did it!
This photo taken by Nickie below is Charlie and his young man.  Unfortunately Nickie was able to remember this young man's name.  I would love to know how Charlie is doing, and have any updates on him!  Charlie is now a senior, I would love to see what these two can do together!
It is situations like that that make all the blood, sweat and tears worth it.  To see the next generation of rabbit breeders have the opportunity to own amazing animals.  The smile on this young mans face is all I need!

Entering into the rabbit hobby is exciting, but can be overwhelming at times. Once you get the hang of it all, the rabbit hobby can be very rewarding!! As of late I have seen those who are fairly new to the industry ask all sorts of questions via social media. These are folks who obviously did not do their homework, and I have seen them ripped appart by more experienced breeders. This is sad. We are all supposed to help eachother. After all we are all breeding to better the breed right? With that said, I thought I would write a few tips of advice to these newcomers into the rabbit hobby, and perhaps maybe avoid some of these issues! :)


We all had to start somewhere right? For me, my grandfather bought me and my brother mixed breed pet bunnies for easter when I was 12. A year later, I had Mini Lops with pedigrees. I was in 4H. I was buying up rabbit books and wanting to join ARBA and start showing ARBA shows. My first Mini Lop was a birthday present from a school friend, and then it started from there! We all have came into this hobby in one form or another. How we managed to do so is not important. What is important is why we choose to stay!


One of the biggest things I cannot emphasis enough...RESEARCH! Before you buy your first rabbit, before you choose your first breed, research it! The American Rabbit Breeders Association has a great page of all recgonized breeds available for you to use! Check this page out, check out the links to the National breed clubs. Read about the breeds you are interested in! The next step would be to find a local breeder or two of these breeds in your area. Contact them and ask if they can take some time to visit with you about their breed, show you a few examples, and allow you to ask questions. Be sure to let them know that you are looking to get started, and are just researching breeds at this time. A good breeder, with a true passion for their breed & hobby will make the time to do this. And no matter how cute these darling bunnies are that you are shown, now is not the time to buy! Do not make impluse purchases! It will get you know where other than frustrated!


Your next step after talking with a few breeders, on your breed choices is to find a local show to attend. When you go to this show remember: DO NOT go behind the judges table, DO NOT interupt the judging, DO NOT stand in front of exhibitors watching the judging, DO NOT ask exhibitors to point out their animals. But DO watch how the judging works, DO listen to the judge place and comment on the animals (especailly the breed(s) you are considering getting into) When Judging is over, you may then talk to other breeders/exhibitors about their breed. Again this is not a time to buy, you are still researching!


In the meantime, between meeting breeders & attending shows, collect a few books on rabbit raising, Join ARBA, purcahse the current Standard of Perfection, and jion a few groups on Facebook dedicated to raising and show rabbits. These groups are excellent resources for newbies and a great place to meet more breeders, see more breeds, and ask questions!


When you feel like you have done enough research, and read all there is to know about rabbits. Now it's time to choose your breed. I highly suggest you start with one breed, and only one breed. A common mistake I see amoung newbies is getting so excited about all the varieties, pretty colors, body styles and just plain adorable rabbits! What ends up happening is that they cannot focus on all, they dont win at shows, improvements are being made when breeding, and in the long run they end up frustrated and give up!


Some of the biggest mistakes I see being made are newbies not doing their homework. Asking questions in groups in which, had you as a newbie done your research and learned about the basic principles of rabbit breeding and showing you would know these things. I understand that everyone was a newbie at somepoint, and everyone has to start somewhere. But, the point is do you really want to be that one person that posts a question in a group that says "I just bred my doe. When is she due?" Come on, if you did your research, you would know this! You are more than likely to get answers from several people. Several will be nice, most not so nice.


Showing and raising quality rabbits is not difficult and with today's world of technology all the information you need to know is right at your fingertips! So before you get started, do some research! Find the simple basics of breeding such as gestation, best age to breed (this varies from breed to breed and different breeders have different opinions) It's okay to ask questions to learn...but don't ask questions after the deed has been done. ​

​Recently I have heard of several wonderful breeders leaving Mini Lops due to the drama surrounding them between breeder and breeder. Sadly this is an issue not only with Mini Lops, but every breed in every species. People seem to forget that for the most part, many of us are breeding for the love of the breed, to improve and better the breed. How does it better the breed if breeders cannot work together on this, rather they waste their time and energy fighting eachother?


At times there are those who feel "forced out" due to this drama and consistantly being beat on the table. Those who have been told over and over again by other breeders that their animals are nothing but pets. The problem being is that we as more experienced, long term breeders need to remember is that we all started out somewhere. Some of us started with the best stock possible, some of us did not. But ALL of us have made mistakes along the way and ALL of us have had that litter turn out less then desirable.


Rather than beating one breeder down over and over again, why not lift them up? Help them out? Offer a breeding. ENCOURAGE! Another thing to remember is no matter how wonderful and amazing your animals are, there is someone out there that has more amazing and wonerful rabbit than you!


To the newbies in this breed, dont get discouraged. Dont sell out because one or two people have said nasty things. Your only giving them what they want. Dont listen to drama and rumors. Most rumors are started out of jealousy. I have learned this first hand.


Sadly the integrity of our breeders in all breeds and species seems to have been lost. This is so very heartbreaking. Let's support eachother for the love of the breed! Let's squash this rumor that Mini Lops are drama infested. Let's take a moment and learn from one another

​Recently in a House Rabbit Society Facebook Group, I was accused of breeding my rabbits for the sake of making a profit. In an effort to come to the defense of each and every one of us seasoned breeders who breed to improve upon an individual breed standard for the sake of showing the animal at local or national ARBA shows, and to explain to those who are new coming into this hobby, I thought I would clarify the difference between a hobby and a business and what it will take to make a profit from raising rabbits.


Of course, just like in any animal hobby, there are "backyard breeders". These are people who do not take into account a standard of quality. These breeders do NOT know their breed standard, and if they do, they really dont care about it. Most BYB often do not show their animals, or count their fair wins as top quality. In the rabbit industry, the American Rabbit Breeders Association is the ONLY rabbit club in the US that recgonizes rabbit wins, championships, etc. A rabbit is not a true Champion unless awarded by ARBA.


I can only speak for myself, in regards to my own breeding and sales policies. This may be different for each rabbit breeder.


I breed my does once a year, usually between shows. Here in Montana we have a couple of months in which there are no shows, between June and September. There are occasions where I will have a couple does bred twice during this time. Usually to repeat a litter, or because I plan on moving that doe on, and want just one more kit from her. Also as a policy in my barn, when I breed, each litter has been planned out way before the breeding takes place. I compare judges comments, and each individual animal to be able to correct faults, and improve. Sometimes I will plan for months ahead before any breeding takes place. Additionally, each breeding is done with the soul intent of keeping at least one (sometimes two) from each litter. No breeding is done here without purpose.


To get into the nitty gritty of it all in regards to costs, expenses vs income....I feed my rabbits Purina Show Feed. Each bag costs me $22.99. Having a large barn, and many occupants, on average I go through two 50# bags of feed a week. This number increases during the summer months when we have litters. So in general my cost of feed is:


35 weeks of buying 2 bags of feed a week: Total Cost - $1069.30
17 weeks of buying 3 bags of feed a week: Total Cost - $1172.49


Now Purina offers, if you are a member, by saving the UPC Proof of Purchase points on each bag, you can send in for a coupon for one free bag after you earn 84 points. This can be done after purchasing twelve 50# bags.


An average number of bags I purchase each year : 121 bags of feed.
This would give me an average of 10 free bags of food a year.


So, with that said, my average feed bill per year is a whooping $2011.49!!! (This cost does not include the purchase of ingredients I get to create my own special blend of conditioning mix for the show year. If you wanted to be technical, you can add $80.00 to the above feed costs for the conditioning mix.)


In order for me to break even with feed costs, going on a recent tirade posted in the House Rabbit Society claiming that I am selling my rabbits for profit in regards to an ad I placed for a pet rabbit costing $15 each, I would have to sell 134 pet rabbits, just to make even on feed cost alone.


On average, year round I keep a total of 36 head. Currently 19 Mini Lops, 3 Harlequins, 5 Mini Rex and 9 Polish. Out of these 36 animals, 25 are does. For my does, if each doe, bred only once, produces an average litter of 6, I would have 150 kits to sell for pets at $15 each. That is only 16 over the number I would need to break even, and this is only breeding each doe once.


To be fair, since from each litter produced we keep one. So, that would bring it down to 125 potential kits for sale. And to further be fair, on occasion some kits are sold to other breeders with the kits pedigree papers on an average price of $75 per kit. So to give it a fair estimate, should I sell each kit prodcued, keeping one from each litter. I have come to the figure of, potentially $3,375.00 in sales should I sell 25 rabbits at $75 each to other breeders, keep 25 rabbits for myself, and sell 100 rabbits as pets. So that will give me a large profit margin should this actually occur. Finally, because I do keep one out of each litter (potentially), I do have to move on some seniors to make room. So let say I am to move on 25 seniors for an average cost of $50 each.


Bottom line: In the event I am able to sell 25 seniors at $50 to make room for upcoming juniors, 100 Juniors at pet price of $15, and 25 juniors with pedigree at show quality price of $75 each my total profit from the sales of rabbits would be: $4625.00!


Now we add in my show costs:


For most years we try to attend each show in our state, Montana. There are potentially 7-8 shows a year. Two of these shows, one in spring, and one in fall are close to home. The rest of the shows I have to drive an average of 200 miles one way to get there. So lets say I potentially attend 7 shows. My fuel costs to the two close to home shows would be about $50 collectively. The other five shows far from home would be about $100. Totalling, about $550 in fuel to attend shows.


Now my show entries for myself and my three girls usually run about $150 per show. Then additionally we need to include about $20 each child for raffle to support these clubs. So that is $60 spent. Now we need to look at food for ourselves. This usually includes two meals, sometimes three if we stay the night. So there goes another $75. For most shows I am lucky enough to have friends in the area so I dont have to worry about motel costs.


What is my total show expenses? Well one show is an average of $285. Now multiply that by 7 and we have $1995. Dont forget to add the fuel cost of $550....and now my total showing expenses for one year is: $2545


Oh, but dont think we are done with expenses! Feed and showing, those are the major ones. We gotta add in a bit for cage repairs, new equiptment (from Water Bottles, J clips, feeders, carriers, cages, etc) So lets just say I spend and average of $200 a year on repairs & replacements. And we cannot forget medications to have on hand so lets add another $75. Additionally, we like to keep a 100% registered herd. So we need to add the costs of registration for those 25 kits we kept, $150. What about new stock? This year I purchased a trio of Mini Lops from Wisconsin, total cost with Transport $515 (this does not include my costs of fuel to pick up the rabbits from the transporter. What about our club membership year dues? We are members of ARBA, MLRCA, AMLRC, NMRRC, AHRC, NPRC, WMRCF, & GFRB. These dues for all four of us usally run about $200 collectively for one year.


So lets look at the break down of expenses once again:


Feed: $2011.49 (W/O Show Conditioning Mix)
Shows: $2545.00
Repairs & Replacements: $200
Medications: $75
Registrations: $150
New Stock: $515
Club memberships: $200
Total Average Yearly Expenses: $5696.49!


Now in a perfect world, each and every bunny and older senior has been sold! That would give me the income, as stated above of: $4625.00


With these figures, my rabbit "business" isnt really a business. It is a hobby. A true business generates a profit. With the expenses described above, and 100% sales in every bunny made available will still put me $1071 in the HOLE. Each and every seasoned rabbit breeder can and will tell you there is NO PROFIT in raising rabbits, if you are doing them correctly. Of course, as I stated earlier, there are those BYB who will breed anything and they somehow manage to sell each and everyone of their offspring at a price equal to a good show quality animal. They dont show, and they dont have club memberships, or care about any upkeep. Their basic expenses is only feed. So they are able to make a profit. Therefore, they are a business.


I guess one way you can look at it....if you see a person at a show, and they are taking the time to get there, spending the money on entries....they are not a business, they are a hobbist. There is a big difference. So before looking at a breeder and running off at the mouth saying they are in it for the money....perhaps take into consideration what all they have put in, and what little money they can make back towards their investment, and their HOBBY!

​It is simply one of my biggest pet peeves to see people behaving in such a manner at shows that exhibit a poor example to our Youth! Showing should be a fun experience, as well as a learning expereince for the exhibitors. At a show in Helena, Kassie experienced a poor example of show ediquette from another exhibitor in her breed. Unfortunatly this was the same exhibitor she was hoping to get a bunny from in the future to help with her program. But now, after experiencing what she did, she wonders if she should even consider buying from this person. Here is what happened: Kassie, normally doesnt have any competition other than herself in her variety. Well, at the last show in Helena....she did. Someone else entered Himi Mini Rex, the same way she does, 5 of that variety entered, and using at least three people as the exhibitors. (Kassie will enter her best Himi's in her name, leaving myself or her sisters as the other exhibitors with her lesser quality Himis) Needless to say Kassie was excited to compete against someone else besides herself to see how the quality of her Himis stands up to other Himi breeders. She found out, that she has some more work ahead of her as she didnt earn a single leg last show, not even the variety legs which she normally gets for showing her Himis. Although there were only 10 Himis entered, there wasnt enough for class legs. But more than plenty for Variety legs. In the first show, her rabbits placed under the other exhibitor. Which I should point out at this time, this other exhibitor was an adult with many years of experience of breeding and showing under her belt. Kassie on the other hand, does have many years of showing under her belt, but this being her first year working her own breeding program, and working with the Himi Variety. And lets not forget, Kassie is a YOUTH member! So when the second show comes up, and Kassie runs her rabbits up to the table she is excited to HEAR what the judge has to say about her Himi's compared to the other exhibitor's. She listens carefully so she knows what to look for, and how she can improve. Because after all her goal will be to beat this person on the table next time! For the Junior Doe class, there were only two entered. One belonging to Kassie and the other to this adult exhibitor. To Kassie's surprise, her Junior doe took first and the other doe belonging to the adult exhibitor takes second. This adult exhibitor was standing there watching....perhaps not close enough to hear the comments, comes over to take her rabbit off the table. She asks the table writer "Did the judge even look at this rabbit?" The table writer also showing signs of shock that she would ask such a question replied, "yes he did." The expression on my daughter's face was priceless as her jaw dropped to the floor. I must say, that you, the exhibitor, if you read this, you know who you are. Although you may not agree with the judge's decision, there is no need to be verbal about it. And especially in front of a Youth exhibitor. Sadly, my daughter, many years less experienced then you, showed more ediquette at the show then you. She did not act like a spoiled sport when her rabbits lost. Yes, clearly your animals are of better quality than hers at this time. But remember, she is just starting out. Also keep in mind that you paid for a judge's opinion on your animals. On that day, with that judge, his opinion was for what ever reason, Kassie's Jr. Doe was better than yours. Why? I couldnt tell you. Maybe it was quality of fur or color distribution. Something small waivered the judge's opinion in my daughter's favor. Why are you complaining when no legs where won for class. Lets not mention the fact that you won ALL the legs available for Variety! Your comment was not only rude, but disrespectful to the judge as well. How dare you inquire that the judge did not take his time to evaluate fairly your animal! You were standing there as he was judging. He took your animal out of the coop and looked it over, as he did my daughters. Perhaps if you were standing closer you could have heard the comments stated. We as adults, and more experienced breeders/exhibitors are the role models for our youth, afterall.....our youth members are our next generation of exhibitors.