Registrations. In My Opinion

It's been said that the Registration System denotes an animal of quality.  ARBA's process stands above the rest as each animal has to be inspected for quality, and only those that are quality are approved for registration.

Not really.

Now, before I get into anything else, I would have to say, that I do appreciate this method to a certain extent verses the AKC method.  However AKC does allow registration of animals that are only non showable due to color, and ARBA does not.

When you register your rabbit you bring the animal, a full 3 generation pedigree (all info must be filled out, including the weights of all animals), and your ARBA Membership card and present these to the Regsitrar.  First, the Registrar goes over the pedigree and ensures that all the information is included and points out any information that is missing.  Then, providing the pedigree is complete, the rabbit itself is inspected.  The rabbit must be within the required weight limit and must not bear any disqaulifications from show at the time of registration.

But, your pedigree is only as good as the peice of paper it is written on.  Do you know your breeder well? Do you trust them?  Anyone, ANYONE can fill out a 3 generation pedigree providing Names, Ear Numbers, Colors and weights for a rabbit to make it look valid.  Anyone.  Not to mention the fact that I know of MANY MANY of the top breeders in this hobby that DO NOT register any of their animals.  None.  I also know of many who do not even keep records, so when you ask for a pedigree...who knows what you are truely getting!  At least AKC does DNA testing for studs.  Can you imagine the rabbit world if we did that? 

So then why do I register?  Well because I am adding to the database.  Once you submit your registration application, that rabbit's pedigree cannot be changed or altered.  EVER.  (okay well you can change the owner info and I think you can have them update the weight....but that is ever changing and not worth updating once a month)  The more rabbits registered behind a rabbit I purchase, means I can trust that pedigree to be authentic and true more so than I can one that is not.  But even then, should a person want to they could create a pedigree from Bucky bred to Doelina and write a pedigrees for the litter that never happened.  At least with AKC the owner of the parents must sign the litter registration verifying the breeding did infact take place.

I also register my animals because I do take the time and funds to send in for their Grand Championship Certificate.  It is a shame that ARBA does not allow other step ups in the showing process after Grand Champion.  But it is what it is.  The certificate goes in the rabbits file.  The more filled out my pedigrees are, the better I can show my animals are of QUALITY.

 However, in my opnion, quality is better determined by a judge not a registrar.  Sure your rabbit might be registered.  But does it win.  Does it have legs?  Can it be a grand champion?  If your rabbit is constantly loosing, chances are it is not a quality animal.  But that's okay.  Listen to the judges, find the one or two things that animal is lacking and breed up! 

I do feel that the registration process should include "sport" colors that are required to produce showable colors, such as Tri and Blue Eyed Whites.  Breeds like Rhinelanders and Spots, Checkered, Hotot and Papion all use the Sport or Solid to make the showable, desired color and markings.  The only reason the sport is not showable is due to color, and color alone.  All other aspects should fit the same standard.

Another reason to register, espeacially if you raise a breed that is listed on the Livestock Conservatory List, is because each rabbit registered is counted.  Those with low counts are considered endangered or threatened.  This is how the Livestock Conservatory receives this information.  Do not count on others to keep the counts up, you need to take part in this too.  And this is also another reason why the Sports should be allowed to be registered as a BROOD ONLY animal.

So register your stock.  Protect what you have worked for.  Ensure that future generations will have accurate information and that your breed numbers are properly being recorded.