Rabbit Show Terminology
General Rabbit Terms:
Pedigreed – A rabbit who has a written record of at least three generations of ancestors. This information should include name and/or ear number, weight and color, plus any other information available, such as winnings, registration numbers, and Grand Champion numbers. A pedigree form is made out by the breeder of the rabbit. A pedigreed rabbit is usually a purebred, but not necessarily. A pedigreed rabbit usually has a tattoo in its left ear, which corresponds to the ear number on its pedigree.
ARBA Show Terminology:
BOB: (Best of Breed) Judged the best rabbit of that breed.
BOS or BOSB: (Best Opposite Sex of Breed) Judged the best of the opposite sex of the BOB rabbit. For example, if a doe wins BOB, then the judge will choose the best buck for BOS.
Best 6-Class – Judged the best rabbit of all the breeds that have six showroom classes. The six classes being: senior buck, senior doe, intermediate (6/8) buck, intermediate (6/8) doe, junior buck, and junior doe. Some breeds also have a pre-junior class, which is not counted. This is an optional award.
BIS (Best In Show) Judged as the best rabbit in the rabbit show. BIS may be chosen by comparing all the BOB winners. All ARBA shows are required to choose a BIS.
RIS (Reserve In Show) Judged the second best rabbit in the show. This is an optional award.
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Registered – A rabbit who is purebred, fully pedigreed, and has passed the inspection of an ARBA Registrar can be registered. There is usually a registrar in attendance at ARBA sanctioned shows. You can have your rabbit registered for a small fee. A registered rabbit has been inspected by a registrar to verify that it fits the breed standard. A registered rabbit has a registration number or circled “R” tattooed in its right ear and will be given a registration certificate with a registration number.
Leg – An official certificate issued by a Show Secretary, designating show win. A leg will only be issued if there are at least 5 rabbits in the class, from at least 3 different breeders. A “Leg” may be awarded for first place in a class, BOB, BOS, or BIS. A rabbit can only get one leg per show.
Grand Champion – A registered rabbit who has won at least three “legs” can obtain a Grand Champion Certificate. After filing the paperwork to ARBA, the rabbit will be sent a certificate and issued a Grand Champion number. (For the legs to qualify, they must be earned under 2 or more ARBA judges and one win must be as an intermediate or senior)
4-H or Non-ARBA Show Terminology:
Champion – Judged the best rabbit in a group of rabbits, as designated by the show committee. Rabbits may be grouped by breed, or some other criteria, such as “fancy” and “commercial”, “grade”, “meat pen”, “single fryer”, etc.
Reserve Champion – Judged the best of the opposite sex of the Champion rabbit. For instance, if a doe wins Champion, then the judge will choose the best buck for the Reserve Champion. Except, in meat pen or single fryer, Reserve Champion is the second place pen or rabbit, regardless of sex.
Grand Champion – Judged as the best rabbit in the show. This award is chosen by comparing all of the Champion rabbits. Meat pens and single fryers are usually divided from “breeding” classes, so two or more Grand Champions may be awarded in a show.
Reserve Grand Champion – Judged as the best of the opposite sex of the Grand Champion rabbit. Except, in meat pen or single fryer, Reserve Grand Champion is the second place pen or rabbit, regardless of sex.
The above terms are commonly used in the US. But be aware that in 4-H and non-ARBA sanctioned shows, the show sponsor is free to make rules, and award placements as they see fit, so there could be variations.
Pedigreed – A rabbit who has a written record of at least three generations of ancestors. This information should include name and/or ear number, weight and color, plus any other information available, such as winnings, registration numbers, and Grand Champion numbers. A pedigree form is made out by the breeder of the rabbit. A pedigreed rabbit is usually a purebred, but not necessarily. A pedigreed rabbit usually has a tattoo in its left ear, which corresponds to the ear number on its pedigree.
ARBA Show Terminology:
BOB: (Best of Breed) Judged the best rabbit of that breed.
BOS or BOSB: (Best Opposite Sex of Breed) Judged the best of the opposite sex of the BOB rabbit. For example, if a doe wins BOB, then the judge will choose the best buck for BOS.
Best 6-Class – Judged the best rabbit of all the breeds that have six showroom classes. The six classes being: senior buck, senior doe, intermediate (6/8) buck, intermediate (6/8) doe, junior buck, and junior doe. Some breeds also have a pre-junior class, which is not counted. This is an optional award.
BIS (Best In Show) Judged as the best rabbit in the rabbit show. BIS may be chosen by comparing all the BOB winners. All ARBA shows are required to choose a BIS.
RIS (Reserve In Show) Judged the second best rabbit in the show. This is an optional award.
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Registered – A rabbit who is purebred, fully pedigreed, and has passed the inspection of an ARBA Registrar can be registered. There is usually a registrar in attendance at ARBA sanctioned shows. You can have your rabbit registered for a small fee. A registered rabbit has been inspected by a registrar to verify that it fits the breed standard. A registered rabbit has a registration number or circled “R” tattooed in its right ear and will be given a registration certificate with a registration number.
Leg – An official certificate issued by a Show Secretary, designating show win. A leg will only be issued if there are at least 5 rabbits in the class, from at least 3 different breeders. A “Leg” may be awarded for first place in a class, BOB, BOS, or BIS. A rabbit can only get one leg per show.
Grand Champion – A registered rabbit who has won at least three “legs” can obtain a Grand Champion Certificate. After filing the paperwork to ARBA, the rabbit will be sent a certificate and issued a Grand Champion number. (For the legs to qualify, they must be earned under 2 or more ARBA judges and one win must be as an intermediate or senior)
4-H or Non-ARBA Show Terminology:
Champion – Judged the best rabbit in a group of rabbits, as designated by the show committee. Rabbits may be grouped by breed, or some other criteria, such as “fancy” and “commercial”, “grade”, “meat pen”, “single fryer”, etc.
Reserve Champion – Judged the best of the opposite sex of the Champion rabbit. For instance, if a doe wins Champion, then the judge will choose the best buck for the Reserve Champion. Except, in meat pen or single fryer, Reserve Champion is the second place pen or rabbit, regardless of sex.
Grand Champion – Judged as the best rabbit in the show. This award is chosen by comparing all of the Champion rabbits. Meat pens and single fryers are usually divided from “breeding” classes, so two or more Grand Champions may be awarded in a show.
Reserve Grand Champion – Judged as the best of the opposite sex of the Grand Champion rabbit. Except, in meat pen or single fryer, Reserve Grand Champion is the second place pen or rabbit, regardless of sex.
The above terms are commonly used in the US. But be aware that in 4-H and non-ARBA sanctioned shows, the show sponsor is free to make rules, and award placements as they see fit, so there could be variations.
Brick House Acres Rabbitry - Frankfort, NY 13340 - (315) 338-4638