Breeding Show Rabbits the Modern Way

The ARBA Standard of Perfection defines ‘Balance’ as “an orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics, so as to present a harmonious appearance.”

As the late 4 time ARBA Convention Best in Show winner Fibber McGhee often said “having too much depth is like having too much money in the bank.” Depth is a positive trait that separates the extraordinary from the ordinary.

‘Balance’ is achieved by having depth of body equal width of body at all points of the rabbits body - shoulders, midsection and hindquarters. The deepest part of the rabbit should be the widest point of the rabbit. A low head set compact or commercial style rabbit is not balanced without depth. An extremely deep rabbit is very balanced as long as depth equals width throughout its body. ‘Balance’ should never be used to describe flat rabbits.

A style of rabbit that was winning a decade ago often cannot compete with the winners of today. We will discuss markings, fur, head, ears and eyes separately. Today we will focus on the body of a modern show rabbit. There are some consistent themes that differentiate the modern show rabbit from the rabbits of the past:

1. Depth - the modern rabbit is deeper. There is more rise to the topline which creates the depth. More rise will also shorten the overall length of body. Since flat rabbits are not competitive on a national level, depth is essential on the modern show rabbit.

2. More Roundness of Loin - the modern rabbit has more roundness of the loin from front to back. The roundness shortens and deepens the hindquarter. A round loin creates a round top. A longer loin creates a flat top.

3. Correct High Point - the modern rabbit reaches a high point behind the stifle, not any sooner.

4. Depth = Width Ratio - the modern rabbit will have a depth = width ratio throughout the entire body - shoulders, midsection and hindquarters. The deepest point of the body will be the widest point of the body. Both should occur in the hindquarter behind the stifle.

5. Sideline Taper - the modern rabbit will be deeper, hence it will exhibit more sideline taper from the hindquarter to the shoulder. Even on breeds with wide shoulders, the deeper animals will exhibit more sideline taper when following the depth = width ratio.

6. Fullness of Hindquarter - the modern rabbit will remain full into the lower hindquarter. The back legs should be set parallel and should be set as wide as the body, not any narrower. When viewed from behind, the rear view of the rabbit should resemble an inverted “U” where depth equals width.