PEDIGREES
When my wife and I first started we found it difficult to read and understand Pedigrees. We were presented with a document from the 1950's that taught you how to smoke Lucky Strikes, AND read pedigrees (lol). After much research on the web, blogging, and contacting registrars, friends, and show mates, we have learned a thing or two about these documents. You can reference the outdated and vague information that is listed on a document from that looks like it's from 1952 or talk to some folks, and get some inside information.......sounds easy right.......WRONG!
To make a long story short, we were also frustrated at the lack of information. What about genetics? What if you get a pedigree and the weights are missing? What if the does listed on the document are overweight, does that mean you cannot register the rabbit with the ARBA? What parts of a pedigree can be missing so that you can still register a rabbit?
After being bamboozled many times at rabbit shows with folks giving me cards with false info promising me Pedigrees (or even giving me someone else's card for that matter) I have decided to share some good advice with you.
RABBIT SHOWS:
Rabbit shows provide an awesome and unique opportunity to obtain premium stock and new breeding lines (good or bad, only time will tell). Unfortunately, many folks at rabbit shows will sell you a rabbit and promise to email or mail a pedigree and do not deliver. Most reputable breeders will have all pedigrees available at shows (just like buying a car, you get the title too). Sounds good right, done deal............well maybe. If so much as one weight entry is missing from a pedigree, you CANNOT register a rabbit with the ARBA. Make sure you thoroughly inspect the pedigree for errors when you buy. It IS o.k. if the breeder does not have all the information, and TELLS YOU SO. If they do not have all the info, BE POLITE, don't assume they are cheating you. Talk to them and give them an opportunity to correct errors within a reasonable time frame. While you should use increased vigilance at rabbit shows, the shows are an awesome opportunity to expand your stock and lines. Take a chance, you probably spend $150 a month on food, medication, supplies, etc. and may end up with crap rabbits. Breeding quality animals takes years! Spend the extra money, MORE than you can afford. It WILL pay off. If you are considering being a serious breeder, you need to invest in quality, NOT quantity. Most reputable, quality breeders spend 10 years or more on perfecting their rabbits. That equates to over $500 of food and supplies per rabbit! If you spend $200 for a good show quality rabbit, that is a bargain!
Quantity will end up in the freezer.
Quality will end up on the show table.
PROPER PEDIGREE ETIQUETTE
MORE TO COME, UNDER CONSTRUCTION
To make a long story short, we were also frustrated at the lack of information. What about genetics? What if you get a pedigree and the weights are missing? What if the does listed on the document are overweight, does that mean you cannot register the rabbit with the ARBA? What parts of a pedigree can be missing so that you can still register a rabbit?
After being bamboozled many times at rabbit shows with folks giving me cards with false info promising me Pedigrees (or even giving me someone else's card for that matter) I have decided to share some good advice with you.
RABBIT SHOWS:
Rabbit shows provide an awesome and unique opportunity to obtain premium stock and new breeding lines (good or bad, only time will tell). Unfortunately, many folks at rabbit shows will sell you a rabbit and promise to email or mail a pedigree and do not deliver. Most reputable breeders will have all pedigrees available at shows (just like buying a car, you get the title too). Sounds good right, done deal............well maybe. If so much as one weight entry is missing from a pedigree, you CANNOT register a rabbit with the ARBA. Make sure you thoroughly inspect the pedigree for errors when you buy. It IS o.k. if the breeder does not have all the information, and TELLS YOU SO. If they do not have all the info, BE POLITE, don't assume they are cheating you. Talk to them and give them an opportunity to correct errors within a reasonable time frame. While you should use increased vigilance at rabbit shows, the shows are an awesome opportunity to expand your stock and lines. Take a chance, you probably spend $150 a month on food, medication, supplies, etc. and may end up with crap rabbits. Breeding quality animals takes years! Spend the extra money, MORE than you can afford. It WILL pay off. If you are considering being a serious breeder, you need to invest in quality, NOT quantity. Most reputable, quality breeders spend 10 years or more on perfecting their rabbits. That equates to over $500 of food and supplies per rabbit! If you spend $200 for a good show quality rabbit, that is a bargain!
Quantity will end up in the freezer.
Quality will end up on the show table.
PROPER PEDIGREE ETIQUETTE
MORE TO COME, UNDER CONSTRUCTION