This is something I have seen a lot of. A rabbit placing 1st in show A and dead last in show B.

This can confuse people especially new breeders looking to better their herd. So where do you start when you're not placing consistently among the same animals? Different judges have different styles or "expectations" of a breed.

Here is what I recommend doing if you're not sure how or why you rabbit placed as it did one show and differently the next. Take a look at your comment cards. I'm going to use a made up rabbit as an example.

Show 1, on his card it says he has an excellent head/ear. Good shoulders/midsection. Rough over the hindquarters. excellent density and texture of fur, good colour. 1/5

Show 2, on his card it says : Good head/ear. Fair shoulders. Good midsection. Rough over the hindquarters. fair density and texture. Excellent colour. 4/5

Show 3 : Excellent head/ear. Fair shoulders. Good midsection. Fair hindquarters. Good density and texture. Excellent colour. 2/5


Taking those comment cards you can do one thing. Claim the judge didn't know your breed, or take it as a learning experience. Compare comments from different judges, first of all find all points in common, for instance this rabbit has a good head/ear/midsection/ and nice colouring. What it also tells you is the rabbit is lacking in the hindquarters, and could possibly use better shoulders. As for the fur well it appears two out of three judges liked it, but why not the 3rd? Well you have to seriously consider is the rabbit moulting? Past Prime and about to moult, or just getting over a moult, that can effect comments as well. You have to compare similar comments from different judges and eventually you'll see what needs to be worked on in your herd and what is just fine.

So next time you don't place as well as you were hoping don't blame the judge, don't blame your rabbit. Use it as a learning experience.