Frequently Asked questions with answers!
1. What does it mean when a breed is "Sanctioned"?
When a Breed is Sanctioned for a show, this means if you are a member of the National Breed Club for that breed, you are eligible to receive points based on your placements. Points are used within the National Breed Clubs for Sweepstakes. The National Breed Clubs give year awards for those with the highest points per year, and often have different divisions in which points are collected for such as Overall, District, etc.
2. I am not a member of ARBA, can I still show?
YES! You do not need to be a member of ARBA to enter in a local show. You DO however need to be an ARBA member to show your animals in the yearly ARBA Convention held in fall.
3. What is a Breed Specialty Show?
A breed specialty show is a show just for that particular breed. Specialty shows are just like your breed class in the open shows, but just for the one breed. In a specialty show, the Best Of Breed winner, would be awarded Best In Show Specialty. The same amount of legs are offered for a specialty show as in a open class.
4. What are Legs?
Legs are certificates earned in a show when your rabbit or cavy earns a First in class, Best of Variety, Best Opposite Of Variety, Best of Group, Best Opposite of Group, Best of Breed or Best Opposite of Breed. Only one Leg is awarded per show, per animal. So if your rabbit wins first place in class, best of Variety, then Best of Breed, you will only earn one leg in that show. The Leg will show ALL placements for that show. Legs can only be earned if there are a total of 5 rabbits entered, by 3 different exhibitors. Once you have collected a total of 3 legs, by at least 2 different judges, and at least 1 Senior Leg, you can send all three legs to ARBA to receive a Certificate of Grand Championship.
5. What is a Registrar?
A registrar is someone certified through ARBA to Register Your rabbits or cavies.
6. What does it mean when your rabbit or cavy is registered?
When a rabbit or cavy is registered, this means that an ARBA Registrar has carefully examined the animal and it has shown no disqualifications at that time, and that all requirements for registration have been met. This also means that your animal will then have a registration number, and it's pedigree and information is held at the ARBA Data Base.
7. How do I register my rabbit or cavy?
First to register your rabbit or cavy, you must be a member of ARBA. Then your animal must be at least 6 months old, have a full and complete 4 generation pedigree. (Complete meaning, no missing information such as Names, ear # color, & weights) Finally, your animal must be within the recommended weight for its breed, and feature no other disqualifications from show. Once your registration is complete, paid for and signed by both you and the registrar, you will receive a Registration Document in the mail from ARBA. This can take anywhere from 30-90 days.
8. What do I need to bring to the show?
Bring your animals in SOLID bottom carriers lined with puppy pads, shavings, etc. Bring additional pan liner/filler should your travel or stay be longer than a day. Always bring water. One or two gallons of water from home is wonderful to have on hand. Water is different from one location to the next. If your animals are drinking well water, and the show is on city water with additives, your rabbits may not enjoy it. Having water from home will also help them stay more comfortable. Cash. If you are paying for entries at the show, plan on bringing exact cash. There may not be change available if you bring larger bills. Cash is also good to have on hand for raffles, auctions, drink and snacks that may also be available at the show. Pedigrees for any animals you have for sale. Most people will not complete a purchase if the pedigree cannot be handed over at the same time as the cash. This is due to the failed promises of having pedigrees mailed to them, and never receiving them. Bring your grooming items, toe nail clippers, a brush, and wipes. You never know when you may need to pull out a mat, or a toe nail split. Rabbits and cavies do weird things when your not looking, and can often times get jumbled around in the vehicle during transport. A bit of sprucing up before the show begins is always nice! Last but not least....your ARBA membership card, should you have one. You need this if you plan on registering any animals!! Make sure to put it in your wallet or someplace safe!
When a Breed is Sanctioned for a show, this means if you are a member of the National Breed Club for that breed, you are eligible to receive points based on your placements. Points are used within the National Breed Clubs for Sweepstakes. The National Breed Clubs give year awards for those with the highest points per year, and often have different divisions in which points are collected for such as Overall, District, etc.
2. I am not a member of ARBA, can I still show?
YES! You do not need to be a member of ARBA to enter in a local show. You DO however need to be an ARBA member to show your animals in the yearly ARBA Convention held in fall.
3. What is a Breed Specialty Show?
A breed specialty show is a show just for that particular breed. Specialty shows are just like your breed class in the open shows, but just for the one breed. In a specialty show, the Best Of Breed winner, would be awarded Best In Show Specialty. The same amount of legs are offered for a specialty show as in a open class.
4. What are Legs?
Legs are certificates earned in a show when your rabbit or cavy earns a First in class, Best of Variety, Best Opposite Of Variety, Best of Group, Best Opposite of Group, Best of Breed or Best Opposite of Breed. Only one Leg is awarded per show, per animal. So if your rabbit wins first place in class, best of Variety, then Best of Breed, you will only earn one leg in that show. The Leg will show ALL placements for that show. Legs can only be earned if there are a total of 5 rabbits entered, by 3 different exhibitors. Once you have collected a total of 3 legs, by at least 2 different judges, and at least 1 Senior Leg, you can send all three legs to ARBA to receive a Certificate of Grand Championship.
5. What is a Registrar?
A registrar is someone certified through ARBA to Register Your rabbits or cavies.
6. What does it mean when your rabbit or cavy is registered?
When a rabbit or cavy is registered, this means that an ARBA Registrar has carefully examined the animal and it has shown no disqualifications at that time, and that all requirements for registration have been met. This also means that your animal will then have a registration number, and it's pedigree and information is held at the ARBA Data Base.
7. How do I register my rabbit or cavy?
First to register your rabbit or cavy, you must be a member of ARBA. Then your animal must be at least 6 months old, have a full and complete 4 generation pedigree. (Complete meaning, no missing information such as Names, ear # color, & weights) Finally, your animal must be within the recommended weight for its breed, and feature no other disqualifications from show. Once your registration is complete, paid for and signed by both you and the registrar, you will receive a Registration Document in the mail from ARBA. This can take anywhere from 30-90 days.
8. What do I need to bring to the show?
Bring your animals in SOLID bottom carriers lined with puppy pads, shavings, etc. Bring additional pan liner/filler should your travel or stay be longer than a day. Always bring water. One or two gallons of water from home is wonderful to have on hand. Water is different from one location to the next. If your animals are drinking well water, and the show is on city water with additives, your rabbits may not enjoy it. Having water from home will also help them stay more comfortable. Cash. If you are paying for entries at the show, plan on bringing exact cash. There may not be change available if you bring larger bills. Cash is also good to have on hand for raffles, auctions, drink and snacks that may also be available at the show. Pedigrees for any animals you have for sale. Most people will not complete a purchase if the pedigree cannot be handed over at the same time as the cash. This is due to the failed promises of having pedigrees mailed to them, and never receiving them. Bring your grooming items, toe nail clippers, a brush, and wipes. You never know when you may need to pull out a mat, or a toe nail split. Rabbits and cavies do weird things when your not looking, and can often times get jumbled around in the vehicle during transport. A bit of sprucing up before the show begins is always nice! Last but not least....your ARBA membership card, should you have one. You need this if you plan on registering any animals!! Make sure to put it in your wallet or someplace safe!