RABBIT TERMS

A

ADULT-

Any fully developed, mature rabbit of breeding age. For show classification, see senior.

ALBINO-

A white rabbit with a pink eye.

ARCH (ARC)-

The gentle curvature of the spine, extending from the neck (or shoulders in some breeds) to the rear of the rabbit. Best observed by viewing the animal in side profile.

AWN FLUFF-

The soft, crimped, intermediate wool fibers, ending with a straight tip. A type of wool fiber described in the Giant angora standard.

AWN HAIR-

The strong, straight guard hair protruding above the undercoat or fleece in Giant Angoras.

B

BACK-

The top portion of the rabbit’s shoulders, loin, and hindquarters.

BALANCE-

(1)Type-Shape or conformation. An orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance.

(2)Markings-Equal distribution of corresponding markings, such as color divisions of the Harlequin, or equal amounts of color on the cheeks of the Dutch. Equal distribution of color in the pattern and side markings of the Checkered Giant, English Spot, and Rhinelander.

BANGS-

The longer wool appearing at the front base of the ears and top of the head in some wooled breeds.

BANDING-

(1) A hair shaft having various colors. Normally associated with an agouti coat.

(2)An unbroken vertical circle of marking color extending around the body of the Harlequin.

BARRED-

(1) Elongated spots, which should be round. (As found in the side markings of a Rhinelander or English Spot, or the cheek spots of the Rhinelander, English Spot, or Checkered Giant.)

(2) Light colored streaks or bars on the front legs.

(3) A semicircle of marking color, running vertically on the side of the Harlequin.

BASE COLOR-

The fur color next to the skin, undercolor.

BELL EARS-

Ears that have large, heavy tips with a distinctive fall or lop to them.

BELLY-

The abdomen, from the last rib to the pelvis, containing primarily the organs of digestion.

BELLY COLOR-

the color underneath a rabbit, extending from the forelegs to the crotch area.

BLAZE-

the white marking found on the head of Dutch. It covers the nose, whisker bed, and runs along the jaw line. The shape is that of a wedge, which tapers from the nose to the base of the ears.

BLOOM-

The vitality and finish of a coat in good condition.

BLEMISH-

Any defect or fault which detracts from the appearance.

BOILS or ABSCESS-

A localized area of inflammation caused by an infection under the skin, in a gland, or in a hair follicle. It may produce localized swelling, heat, and redness.

BOOTS-

The colored markings on the feet and legs of Himalayan marked rabbits.

BOWED LEGS-

May be applied to the fore or hind legs. Bent like a bow. Legs curved outwardly or inwardly from the middle.

BREED-

A class of domestic rabbits which reproduces itself with distinctive characteristics, such as fur, markings, shape, and size.

BREEDER-

(1) Anyone who raises a breed or variety of rabbits which complies with the STANDARD OF PERFECTION.

(2) A rabbit used primarily to produce offspring.

BREEDING CERTIFICATE-

A written certificate, issued by the owner of a stud buck, showing its pedigree and the date of breeding to a particular doe. It is issued as proof of the ancestry of the anticipated litter.

BRINDLING-

(1) The longer tipped guard hairs carried up the sides of Tans.

(2) An intermixture of two colors without definite pattern.

BROKEN COAT-

Fur with the guard hairs missing or broken, which exposes the undercoat. Areas where the coat is affected by molt, which exposes the undercoat.

BUCK-

An intact male rabbit.

BUCK TEETH-

See wolf teeth.

BULL DOG HEAD-

A short, broad, bold head, with a definite masculine appearance.

BUTTERFLY-

A nose marking found on some breeds. The wing portions cover the whisker bed from lip to lip, with the body, or nose fork, extending up the center of the face.

BUTTING TEETH-

A form of malocclusion, where the incisors meet evenly, without the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors in proper structure. A Disqualification from Competition.

C

CAKED TEATS or BREASTS-

Engorgement of a doe’s mammary gland and teat with an abundant milk supply. Inflammation usually indicates mastitis.

CAP-

the marking line where lower ear color stops and joins head color. Specified in the Checkered Giant.

CARRIAGE-

(1)The manner in which a rabbit carries itself. The style or characteristic pose of a rabbit.

(2) The style in which a rabbit carries its ears.

CHAIN-

The arrangement of the spots on an English Spot, running from the neck to the abdominal area.

CHARLIE-

An extremely lightly marked animal in marked breeds or Broken Groups. Usually having colored ears, light eye circles, and a Charlie Chaplin mustache like marking. Usually devoid of back and side markings.

CHEST-

The front portion of the body, between the forelegs and the neck.

CHEEKS-

(1)The sides of the face, below the eyes.

(2) The rounded color head marking that forms the blaze and carries down along the jaw line of a Dutch.

CHOPPED-

A condition of body type in which there is an abrupt and sharp vertical fall from the top of the hip to the tail. Not well filled out and rounded.

CLASSIFICATION-

A system of arranging the judging within different breeds.

CLEAN-

(1) A term used on French Angora, Satin Angora, Jersey Wooly, and Fuzzy Lop’s head, ears, feet, and legs, denoting the presence of normal fur (absence of wool) in those places.

(2) A marking term denoting well formed markings without congestion or drags.

COBBY-

A short and stocky body type which is close couple and very compact.

COLD-

An infection localized in the nose. Usually characterized by repeated sneezing and the discharge of fluid from the nose. Sometimes accompanied by matted fur on the inside of the front feet. Note: In judging, the matted fur is only an indication and shall not be considered as conclusive evidence of a cold.

COMPATIBLE-

In eye color, a normal color that complements or matches the body color.

CONDITION-

The overall physical state of a rabbit in relation to health, cleanliness, fur, and grooming.

CONJUNCTIVITIS-

Inflammation of the inner membrane of the eyelid and sometimes the portion of the membrane that covers the white of the eye.

COTTONY-

A very fine, soft textured fur or wool which lacks guard hair.

COW HOCKS-

Hind legs that turn inward at the hock, causing the toe portion to turn outward from the belly.

CRIMP-

The natural waviness of the fiber in a wool undercoat.

CROWN-

A strong basal ridge of cartilage at the top of the head, forming the ear base on some lop eared breeds.

D

DEAD HAIRS-

Fur which lacks life. Caused by molting or dead coat.

DEAD TAIL-

A tail which is hard and brittle due to the loss of circulation.

DENSITY-

The property or quality of thick coat of fur. The number of fur fibers in a given area.

DEFINITION-

The sharpness and clarity of a color break on a hair shaft, as in the ring color in Agouti fur.

DEPTH-

Measurement downward from the top line of the body to the lowest portion of the body.

DEWCLAW-

An extra toe or functionless digit on the inside of the front legs.

DEWLAP-

A pendulous fold of loose skin which hangs from the throat. Common in does. It should be in proportion to the total body size. Not accepted in some breeds.

DISQUALIFICATION or DISQUALIFICATION FROM COMPETITION-

One or more defects, deformities, or blemishes which render a rabbit ineligible for competition or registration.

DOE-

An intact female rabbit.

DRAGS-

Intrusions of color markings into a white marking area.

E

EAR CANKER-

An inflamed, scabby condition, deep inside the ear. It is caused by an infection of the ear canal by an ear mite.

EAR LACING-

A colored line of fur which outlines the sides and tips of the ears.

EXTENSION-

(1) Length of leg and limb.

(2) Depth of color carried down a hair shaft.

EYE COLOR-

The color of the iris. The circle of color which surrounds the pupil of the eye.

EYE STAIN-

Splotches or streaks of color around the eyes in Himalayan marked breeds.

F

FAKING-

Any deliberate change in the appearance of a rabbit which is done with the intent to deceive.

FEATHERING-

(1) Small colored drag off the top of the eye circle. Usually associated with English Spot, Rhinelander, or Checkered Giant.

(2) Any drag in the coloration of a Dwarf Hotot eye band.

FELTING-

Wool fibers that have become interwoven during natural growth.

FINE COAT-

A coat of fur too fine in texture, lacking body. Guard hairs weak and thin in structure. Lacking the proper amount of guard hairs.

FINISH-

The desired degree of perfection in condition. Fully prime in coat, color, and flesh.

FLABBY-

The condition of a rabbit when the skin hangs loosely by its own weight. Not trim, shapely, or firm of flesh.

FLAT COAT-

Fur lying too close to the body. Lacks spring or body as noted by touch. Usually a fine coat coupled with lack of density.

FLAT SHOULDERS-

A trait that occurs when the top line over shoulders is noticeably parallel to the surface of the judging table. A lack of continuous arch from the neck over the shoulders.

FLEECE-

The wool covering the rabbit, including all growing fibers. (Not sorted.)

FLYBACK-

A coat of fur which flies back to its smooth normal position when stroked from the hindquarters to the shoulders.

FOOT-

The portion of the skeleton on which the rabbit walks or stands. On the foreleg, that portion below the pastern or ankle. On the rear leg, that portion below the hock.

FOREIGN COLOR-

Any color of fur, nails, or eyes differing from that called for in the STANDARD OF PERFECTION for the breed or variety.

FOREHEAD-

The front part of the head between the eyes and the base of the ears.

FOREQUARTER-

The portion of the body starting with the neck, back to, and including the last rib.

FRINGES-

The wool appearing on the ears of some wooled breeds. Falls between the tassels and the bangs.

FURNISHINGS-

The tassels, fringes on the ears, bangs, and the head side trimmings on some wooled breeds.

G

GESTATION-

The length of time between conception and birth. (Normally 31 days.) The carrying of young.

GLOSSY-

The reflection, luster, or brightness from a naturally healthy fur. A natural property of fur, sometimes improved by grooming.

GROUP-

A broader classification than variety, usually applied to color pattern groupings.

GUARD HAIR-

The longer, coarser projecting hair of the coat, which offers protection to the undercoat. It furnishes wearing quality and resilience to the coat.

H

HERRINGBONE-

The colored spine or dorsal stripe on the English Spot. A herring bone or serrated edge to the spine marking.

HIND LEG-

Consists of the foot, hock, stifle (knee), and hip joint.

HINDQUARTERS-

The rear portion or section of the body, from the last rib. Composed of the loin, hips, hind legs, and rump.

HIP-

The joint that attaches the hind legs to the trunk of the body.

HOCK-

The pointed portion of the rear leg. The joint distant to the stifle.

HUMPBACK-

A hump or protrusion on the back, caused by a deformity of the spine.

I

INSIDE OF EAR-

The concave portion of the ear.

INTERMEDIATE-

Terminology used in breeds having 6 showroom classes. A rabbit 6 to 8 months of age, or meeting weight requirements of the breed standard for that age group.

IRIS-

The colored portion of the eye, surrounding the pupil.

J

JUNIOR-

A rabbit less than 6 months of age.

K