{{Short description|Competitive exhibition of rabbits}} {{Globalize|date=November 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} [[File:Usk Show Rabbit Competitions - panoramio.jpg|thumb|A rabbit show preparation area in Llantrisant Fawr, Monmouthshire, Wales]]
A '''rabbit show''' is a type of animal show where rabbits are exhibited. Most rabbit exhibitions in America are sanctioned by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hayhow |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gitWAAAAYAAJ |title=Care of the Domestic Rabbit |date=2003 |publisher=Leathers Pub. |isbn=978-1-58597-197-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Rabbit Breeds |date=2022-05-11 |work=Rabbit Production |series=CABI Books |pages=23–28 |url=http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/9781789249811.0003 |access-date=2024-05-14 |edition=10 |place=GB |publisher=CABI |language=en |doi=10.1079/9781789249811.0003 |isbn=978-1-78924-978-1|url-access=subscription }}</ref> which recognizes 53 breeds in its ''Standard of Perfection 2026–2030''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=ARBA Standard of Perfection 2026-2030 |date=November 15, 2025 |publisher=American Rabbit Breeders Association }}</ref> Rabbit show jumping, also known as rabbit hopping or rabbit agility, is a performance sport developed in the 1970s based on horse jumping<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://4hanimalscience.rutgers.edu/2018/05/15/hop-to-it-rabbit-hopping-and-agility/ |title=Hop to It – Rabbit Hopping and Agility |first1=Jeannette |last1=Rea-Keywood |date=May 15, 2018 |publisher=Rutgers 4-H Animal Science Resource Blog}}</ref> and is distinct from traditional rabbit shows.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rspca.org.uk/documents/1494939/7712578/Rabbit+Agility+Factsheet+%28PDF+183+KB%29.pdf/c4fce540-5ca8-c5c4-13d4-4ff872422d71?t=1559139037526 |publisher=RSPCA |title=Rabbit agility |date=May 24, 2011}}</ref> Rabbit shows are mainly oriented towards exhibitors, rather than spectators, and receive little publicity compared to rabbit show jumping. Exhibitors display rabbits at shows for prize money and other awards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Bob |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Showing Rabbits for Beginners |url=https://www.grit.com/animals/showing-rabbits-zkrz12zsie/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Grit |language=en-US}}</ref>
==History== Rabbit shows are associated largely with the ARBA, originally founded in 1910 as the National Pet Stock Association,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arbadistricts.net/about.htm |title=About the ARBA... |website=American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. |access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref> but various breeds have been raised for exhibition throughout the 19th century,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gibson |first=Charles S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzVEAQAAMAAJ |title=Breeding and Care of Rabbits for Exhibition and Market |date=1916 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rhAAAAAAQAAJ |last=Rayson |first=Charles |title=Rabbits for prizes and profit |date=1872 |publisher="The Bazaar" Office}}</ref> starting in England with the formation of the first rabbit club in 1840.{{DomesticRabbitsWhitman|page=1|ref}}
== Criteria == Rabbit shows involve the judging of rabbits based on several criteria, which are set based on a breed standard. Shows sanctioned by the ARBA are judged based on the ''Standard of Perfection''. These criteria are specific to the breed of rabbit being shown, and shown rabbits in a breed are further divided into judging classes by their variety, age, and sex.<ref name=":0" /> In addition to any particular characteristics of a breed, shown rabbits are judged based on the following criteria:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=4-H Rabbit Fitting and Showing |url=https://www.canr.msu.edu/manistee/4-h/4-H%20Rabbit%20Showmanship.pdf |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=Michigan State University Extension}}</ref>
* Rabbit handling * Rabbit posing on the show table * Examination of the rabbit * Condition of rabbit, including that of: ** Fitting ** Flesh ** Fur ** General health
As part of the process, exhibitors themselves may be judged on their appearance and their own rabbit knowledge through a quiz.<ref name=":1" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Animal shows Category:Rabbits as pets