04/23/2025
LONG BUT IMPORTANT POST ALERT: This time of year, every year,4H/FFA parents are scrabbling to find the perfect show rabbit for their child. And every year the backyard breeders are gearing up to take advantage of the unknowledgable unsuspecting parents. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE parents, do your homework. You are going to encounter breeders trying to sell you crossbreds ,unrecognized colors, neutered, etc. all unshowable in most county fairs. Take your time and check them out. If a breeder is referring to themselves as a business they are only after your money. If a breeder is marketing multiple bunnies of multiple breeds, I wouldn't have to ask why. That someone just wanting to sell as many as possible. There is a big difference between showable and show quality. Don't let them tell you differently. If possible look at the breeding/living conditions. Look at the overall health of the entire herd not just 1 bunny. You want to see clean, individual cages free of manure/hair. You don't want a rabbit that's living in filth, on the ground, in a carrier, or with a strong urine smell. Air quality is more important than you think. You want to see clean, bright eyed, dry nosed rabbits. Quality breeders know how to house quality animals. Be prepared to pay a fair price. If you choose the 5 dollar rabbit over a 50 dollar one, that may be just what you get. But expensive doesn't always equal quality either. Most fairs are now using ARBA standards for rabbit judging. Trust me, the judges aren't looking for the pretty or the most unusual rabbit as some will try to lead you to believe. Breeders that are in this for the profits WILL LIE to make that sale. Research the breed and the breeders too! Alot will talk a really good game. They will tell you how much they show, how much they win. Check them out. Reputable breeders will have the proof of success in one form or another. Ask for it!
Most importantly, ask and take the advice from others. Now I don't mean someone that showed last year in 4H or someone that is just starting out and think they know all there is to know. I see that sooo much on all these rabbit pages and in 4H/FFA leaders themselves. All who offer advice are not knowledgable themselves. They may feel like they are helping but wrong advice is worse than none. It's the blind leading blind. Ask veteran breeder/exhibitors, most will help no matter what you need. Go to an open show and watch how experienced exhibitors groom and handle their animals.
I have done this 40+ years and I'm still learning. But if you come to me or another reputable breeder for help and we don't have the answer or breed you want, we will direct you to the best possible source that we can find. As most will tell you when we don't know the answer instead of making something up to sound good, we'll pull out the Standard book and show you what to look for.
I travel around to the different counties, where I have sold rabbits to kids, and watch the fair shows. I WANT to see those kids win, whether its a single class, breed or the whole show. Not everybody can win but you don't want to purchase a guaranteed loser before the competition ever starts. There is nothing more heartbreaking than to see a child that has worked above and beyond to prepare his animal for fair only to be disqualified because you didn't do your homework day 1.
I can't stress this enough, Find a veteran breeder/exhibitor and ask for help. Now lastly, share this with anyone that needs to see it but please credit Rusty Acres Rabbitry
