Thursday, May 03, 2007
Condition
Our standard refers to the ARBA definition of condition. Have you ever read it? I hope so! But if not, here it is:
So, if a judge marks down a rabbit in poor condition more than five points, he or she has plenty of room in the body and fur categories to borrow some.
But reality is that we often see judges who evaluate rabbits according to their own values and belief systems and not according to ARBA standards. "On my table, a winning rabbit must be in good condition," I've heard judges say. According to the standard, though, a great rabbit in poor condition should win over a poor rabbit in great condition.
We also have other types of judges who don't understand the intricacies of our breed so they fall back on generalities. Condition is something they understand and can comment on, so that's what the place the Hollands on (plus ear carriage - a defining quality in their minds, it seems). I suppose that is to be expected. There are precious few judges in this country that are equally at home with any breed.
Sometimes the table is judged almost solely on condition and whether the Hollands ears are down. As a breeder recently said to me, "It's just a $3 opinion; just take it and go on." I'm going to have to remember that when I don't feel that the Hollands are being placed according to the standard. It's just a $3 opinion.
I've also talked with judges who hold the opposite opinion. "With just five points on condition, I'd never keep a good Holland home." In theory, I agree with that. But in practice, it doesn't always work the way it should. Judges, being human, often have a hard time looking past condition issues. I was very impressed with a judge who once placed a sable point in horrible fur condition as Best of Breed. He checked the points and announced that he felt that the rabbit was the best even after deducting for condition. That's the way it should be.
There are other reasons, of course, to keep rabbits home that are in poor condition. The number one reason would be that rabbits already in poor condition do not need the extra stress of traveling while they are trying to put on flesh or grow a new coat. You'd hate to stall out their recovery and delay the time when they can hit the table fit and in good fur.
There are also situations that fall a bit in between. Perhaps you have a rabbit whose coat is just starting to break. Should you show it? Well, if it's the last show before a summer or Christmas break, why not? If you are trying to get a doe granded and into your breeding program, go for it. You may not want to delay her first litter while she molts or puts on extra weight for the show table.
Here's wishing you great condition on all of your rabbits or, if not, judges who know how to apply the points correctly!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:25 AM
- "Condition - All animals . . . are to have a definite appearance of health and vigor. They are to be bold and bright of eye. All animals are to have a good coat, firmly set in the pelt. They are to be firm in flesh covering, neither too fat, with soft, flabby flesh, nor too thin in flesh, creating a bony effect when examined. Flesh is to be deep and even over the entire body."
(If you don't have a copy of the Standard of Perfection, you can order one at http://www.arba.net.)
The standard for Holland Lops allocates just five points to condition. That's not really a lot and it shouldn't make a huge difference to judges, right? Well, yes and no. Some of the same qualities that define condition also creep into the basic description of the body - especially where we see "well-filled" or "full." There is also some overlap with the fur points of 7. "Even in length" can be disrupted by either the rabbit's natural coat type or by fur condition, which is part of the overall condition standard.So, if a judge marks down a rabbit in poor condition more than five points, he or she has plenty of room in the body and fur categories to borrow some.
But reality is that we often see judges who evaluate rabbits according to their own values and belief systems and not according to ARBA standards. "On my table, a winning rabbit must be in good condition," I've heard judges say. According to the standard, though, a great rabbit in poor condition should win over a poor rabbit in great condition.
We also have other types of judges who don't understand the intricacies of our breed so they fall back on generalities. Condition is something they understand and can comment on, so that's what the place the Hollands on (plus ear carriage - a defining quality in their minds, it seems). I suppose that is to be expected. There are precious few judges in this country that are equally at home with any breed.
Sometimes the table is judged almost solely on condition and whether the Hollands ears are down. As a breeder recently said to me, "It's just a $3 opinion; just take it and go on." I'm going to have to remember that when I don't feel that the Hollands are being placed according to the standard. It's just a $3 opinion.
I've also talked with judges who hold the opposite opinion. "With just five points on condition, I'd never keep a good Holland home." In theory, I agree with that. But in practice, it doesn't always work the way it should. Judges, being human, often have a hard time looking past condition issues. I was very impressed with a judge who once placed a sable point in horrible fur condition as Best of Breed. He checked the points and announced that he felt that the rabbit was the best even after deducting for condition. That's the way it should be.
There are other reasons, of course, to keep rabbits home that are in poor condition. The number one reason would be that rabbits already in poor condition do not need the extra stress of traveling while they are trying to put on flesh or grow a new coat. You'd hate to stall out their recovery and delay the time when they can hit the table fit and in good fur.
There are also situations that fall a bit in between. Perhaps you have a rabbit whose coat is just starting to break. Should you show it? Well, if it's the last show before a summer or Christmas break, why not? If you are trying to get a doe granded and into your breeding program, go for it. You may not want to delay her first litter while she molts or puts on extra weight for the show table.
Here's wishing you great condition on all of your rabbits or, if not, judges who know how to apply the points correctly!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:25 AM
