He has nice bunnies that totally dominate in his area. He wins BIS from time to time (more than the average) and generally takes most of the classes and all of the BOBs. When he does lose on the rare occasion, he is a poor loser. At any given time, there may be a couple of other breeders showing that breed, but time and time again, they try for awhile, get discouraged, and give up. In the long run, he hurts himself because it is harder to earn legs with little or no competition.
It is my belief that this breeder is not nurturing his breed in his area.
I know another breeder, who also shows in a different breed, who is dominant in his breed, not just locally, but nationally. He told me that he takes into consideration the competition at a show when he decides what to show. He doesn't want to whomp the competition time and time again because he knows it will cause people to become discouraged. He's highly competitive by his own admission, but he still maintains a concern for the breed in his area.
It is my belief that this breeder is more nurturing of his breed in his region.
I once read about a rabbit with well over 100 legs. When I saw that, I didn't think, "what a wonderful rabbit!" I thought, "I bet the folks in his area are sick to death of that rabbit." I felt that it must have a depressing effect on showing in that breed in that region. How could exhibitors developing promising herds continue to go to shows week after week, knowing that in all likelihood the BOB was already spoken for?
To make matters worse, in my mind at least, that rabbit had already won top honors in its respective breed. What else did that rabbit or that exhibitor have to prove? I can see showing a rabbit extensively for a year to win a year-long contest. But after that, it seems to me a huge sign that reads, "I am afraid to put my trust in my other rabbits."
There are other things that breeders can do to encourage their breed in their region besides showing with consideration for other exhibitors. Here's a short list:
- sell good rabbits to exhibitors near by without showing restrictions
- sell well matched trios to those starting out in the breed - they will get a jump start by working with rabbits that are compatible rather than the patchwork barn that many breeders start with
- share information freely and give good advice
- celebrate success with other breeders when they win or accomplish a goal
- mention exhibiting rabbits to your pet customers - some will decide to get into exhibiting
- sell bred does (I admit, I rarely do that anymore because I get too anxious if they don't get babies, but I'm a sucker for someone just getting started)
- participate in public education projects, such as displays at fairs
I talked with a breeder recently who does extremely well in her breed. But another breeder also does well in their show area. You might expect fierce competition and an "us against them" mentality.
Instead, they have worked back and forth with each other so that her friend's winning rabbit has her stock as ancestors (and vice versa). Her philosophy: "I can't lose. Either my rabbit wins or a rabbit out of my rabbits wins."
I know she has bred her champion bucks to does for several different people just getting started so there is more than one person out there showing stock out of her stock. I'm sure that taking that attitude has helped that breeder nurture her breed, has made her positively invested in the breeders in her area, has improved the quality of her breed in her region, and has given her more ways to enjoy breeding and exhibiting her bunnies.
It all boils down to whether you want to make decisions based on what is best for you alone or what is best for the hobby in general. I predict that those who choose the latter will be happier in the long run. No one can escape this truism: what goes around, comes around.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
