General Fault of Cavy

General Fault All Breed Cavy

Fault are shortcoming of imperfections that detract from the general appearance of the animal. Narrow shoulder or mid-section; Mandolin-shape; Sway-back; Bony or protruding hips; Squared or flattened hip or rump; Pinched hindquarters; Cow hocks; Specimen shedding or otherwise out if condition (but not diseased); Urine stains; Broken toenails; Poor ear carriage; Poor eye color; Flabby or overly fat; Thin and extremely poor flesh; Stray colored hairs in all varieties; Skin tags, slit or torn ears.

Note: Where, in the judge's opinion, the ears are torn or ripped due to insertion of an ear tags, it is recommended that the cavy not be penalized.

Classes and Registration Weight of Cavy

Showroom Classes and Registration Weight of Cavy

Senior Boars & Sows - Over 6 months of age, or weight over 32 ounces.

Intermediate Boars & Sows - Up to 6 month of age, or weight over 22 ounces, maximum weight 32 ounces.

Junior Boars & Sows - Up to 4 month of age, minimum weight 12 ounces, maximum weight 22 ounces.

Condition - All cavies 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 clean and full coat, free of mats. They are to be firm in flesh, neither too fat, with soft flabby flesh; nor too thin in flesh, creating a bony effect when examined.

Breeds Cavy From The Standard

Dropping Breeds Cavy From The Standard

There must be at least twenty-five (25) cavies in particular breed shown at ARBA National Convention show (open and youth combined) during the five (5) year period immediately proceeding January 1 of the final year of the existing Standard of Perfection. At ARBA Conventions it will be  the duty of the judge to state what variety each animal entered in a grouped classification is being judged as. 

This is recorded by the ACBA for a variety count to be submitted to the ARBA to enable future grouping revisions. Count to exclude animals Disqualified from Competition or Unworthy of An Award.

Rabbit Glossary II

Rabbit Glossary Session II

This is a glossary of word and terms specific to rabbit and rabbit showing. these are not necessarily the dictionary definition. And following which the 2nd session of Rabbit Glossary.

Bell Ears - Ears that have large, heavy tips with a distinctive fall or lop.

Belly - The abdomen, from the last rib to the pelvis, containing primarily the organs of digestion.

Belly Color - The color on the underside of the rabbit extending from the forelegs to the crotch area.

Blaze - The white marking found on the face of a Dutch. it should be medium wide and wedge shaped, covering the nose, whisker bed, and tapering up to the ears, where it joins the hair line. the blaze is to continue to the cheeks and should be well rounded and follow the jaw line after passing the whisker bed.

Blemish - Any defect or fault which detracts from the appearance.

Bloom - The vitality and finish of a coat in good condition.

Bob Tail - A tail noticeably shorter than normal. A disqualification from competition.

Boil or Abscess - A localized are of inflammation caused by an infection under the skin, in a gland, or in hair follicle. It may produce localized swelling, heat, and redness. It is sometimes characterized by swollen, inflamed tissue, where pus gather. A disqualification from competition.

Bone - The term used to describe the skeletal structure of a rabbit.

Boots - The colored markings on the feet and legs of Pointed Pattern rabbit.

Bowed Legs - May be applied to the fore or hind legs. Bent like a bow; Legs that are curved outwardly or inwardly from the middle. A disqualification from competition.

Breed - A class of domestic rabbit that reproduce itself with distinctive characteristics, such as fur, markings, shape, and size.

Breeder - 

1. Anyone who raises a breed of variety rabbit which complies with the Standard of Perfection.

2. A rabbit used primarily to produce offspring.

Breeding Certificate - A written certificate, issued by the owner of a stud buck, showing its pedigree and the date of breeding to a particular doe. It is issued proof of the ancestry of the anticipated litter.

Brindle - An intermixture of two colors without definite pattern

Brindling - The longer tan tipped guard hair carried up he flanks and hindquarters of Tan Pattern rabbit.

Broken Coat - Fur with guard hairs missing or broken, exposing the undercoat. A coat is the affected by molt, exposing the undercoat.

Buck - An intact male rabbit

Buck Teeth - See wolf teeth. A disqualification from competition.

Bull dog Head - A short, broad, bold head, with a definite masculine appearance.

Butterfly - A nose marking found on some marked breeds and Broken varieties. The wings portion cover the whisker bed and upper lip, with the body or nose fork extending up the center of the face.

Butting Teeth - A form of malocclusion, where the incisors meet evenly, without the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors in proper structure. A disqualification from competition.

Caked Teat or Breast - The swollen, hard, milk-filled mammary gland caused by excess production of milk.

Cap - The marking where lower ear color stop ad joins head color. Specified in the Checkered Giant.

Carriage - 

1. The manner in which a rabbit carries itself. The style or characteristic pose of a rabbit.

2. The style in which a rabbit carries its ears.

Cataract - An opaque or white lens in either or both eyes. A disqualification from competition.

Chain - The arrangement of the spot on an English Spot, running from the neck to the midsection.

Charlie - An extremely lightly marked animal in marked breed or Broken Group. A Charlie usually has colored ears, light eyes circles, and a " Charlie Chaplin" mustache-like marking. it is usually devoid of back and side markings.

Working Standards

Working Standards

The working standard of a proposed breed or variety is the property of the breeder/sponsor until such time as the new breed or variety is officially accepted by the 
American Rabbit Breeder Association, Inc. into the Standard of Perfection. At that time, it becomes the property of the American Rabbit Breeder Association, Inc. It must be approved by the breeder/sponsor, the ARBA Standard Committee, and the ARBA Board of Directors before final acceptance is consummated. The working standard my be clarified,or changed, upon agreement between the breeder/sponsor and the ARBA Standard Committee.

The changes in the working standard will become official upon publication in the DOMESTIC RABBIT magazine. publication of the working standard allows the new breed or variety to be shown at ARBA show, but they may only compete against themselves.

In the case of a new variety, they are to be judged at the conclusion of the breed and may not compete for any breed specials, such as Best of Breed or Best Opposite Sex of Breed. Working Standard that have been published in the DOMESTIC RABBITS magazine do not need to be furnished by the exhibitor. Working standard for breeds or varieties that have not been published in the DOMESTIC RABBITS magazine need to be furnished by the exhibitor at the time of judging.

All standard for new breeds and varieties accepted by the ARBA Standard Committee become property of the ARBA and will be copyrighted.

Full Arch Type Posing

Rabbit Full Arch Type Posing

Full Arch Type: Animals are to have arch starting at the nape of the neck and continuing in a smooth, unbroken line over the shoulder, loin, hips, and finishing by rounding to the base of the tail. Most breeds will show more depth than width of body. The side profile will taper from the hindquarters trough to the shoulder.

All breeds should be allowed to move naturally to evaluate type, except the Britannia Petite, which is to be posed.

Cylindrical Type Posing

Rabbit Cylindrical Type Posing

Cylindrical Type: Animals are to show a straight top line with no arch or rise. Side profile is to show no taper. The front feet are to be even with the eyes and the body stretched out with forelegs and hocks flat on the table. See Himalayan breed Standrd

Commercial Type Posing

Rabbit Commercial Type Posing

Commercial Type: Animals are of medium length, with depth of body equaling width of body throughout. The high point of the top line should be over the hips. The side profile will taper from hindquarters through to the shoulder. Fullness of body and the firmness of flesh are important qualities,

Animal are to be posed with front feet directly under the eyes and the toes of the rear feet aligned with the front of the hips. Posing in a tucked up or stretched out position in inappropriate.

Compact Type Posing

Rabbit Compact Type Posing

Compact Type: Animals are lighter in weight and shorter in body length than animal of commercial type. Some breeds will have only a slight rise in the top line due to the depth of shoulder being slightly lower than the depth over the hips. The side profile may be tapered or of equal width from the hips to shoulders, as specified in the individual breed standard.

Animal are the be posed with the front feet directly under the eyes and the toes of the rear feet aligned with the front of the hips. Posing in an excessively "tucked" position or allowing animal to more about the table is undesirable and strongly discouraged.

Semi Arch Type Posing

Semi Arch Type Posing

Semi- Arch Type: Animals are longer in body and have a well defined rise starting at or near the back of the shoulder, and continuing to round over the back and hips to the base of the tail. High point of the rise should occur at the top of the hips. The side profile is to be tapered from the hindquarters through to the shoulder.

Animals are to be posed with the front feet directly under the eyes and the toes of the rear feet aligned with the front of the hips. Some breed may be allowed to move naturally after initial pose, to better evaluate specific type features.

Cavy Glossary

Cavy Glossary

This glossary i a definition of word or terms as applied to cavies and is not necessarily the dictionary definition. All of the following are applicable to cavies.

Agouti - A group of varieties which have a distinct Ticking Color Pattern over the entire animal, except the belly. The belly hair matches the tip color and should be clean colored and devoid of ticking.

Angel Wings - Ridge of hair standing out sideways along the back or side of a cavy. A Disqualification from competition in the American, American satin, Coronet, Silkie, Silkie Satin, Teddy, Teddy Satin, Texel, or White Crested breed.

Back Ridge - The erect ridge of hair running down the back of an Abyssinian or Abyssinian Satin, from shoulder to rump, including the mane.

Balance - 

1. Type: Shape of Conformation. An orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance.

2. Marking: Equal distribution of corresponding markings, such of color divisions in the TS/W variety and also the distribution of patches in B/C and other marked varieties.

Banded - A term referring to the color pattern on a cavy, where one color may entirely circle the body, thus forming a "band of color"

Bare Spot - A section of the cavy entirely denuded of hair.

Base Color - The color found at the base of the hair shaft -> next to the skin on agouti and solid ticked varieties.

Belly Band - Narrow belly band of the agouti cavy -> the area of the belly which has a red, orange, cream, or white surface color -> without ticking.

Also refers to the wide belly band of the Tan Cavies -> the area of the belly which has a red or orange surface color -> without ticking.

Blaze - The head marking on a Dutch cavy. The white portion of the head, covering the nose, whisker beds, and running along the jaw line. The shape is that of a wedge, tapering to the ears, between the check markings.

Bleeding - A light band of color extending under the chin. Found on Agouti and Dutch marked cavies.

Blue - Color is to be a deep gray with an even slate cast, carried to the skin; ears and foot pads to match. Eyes: Dark with Ruby cast. This refers to the Tan pattern varieties only.

Boar - A male cavy.

Bonnet Strings - Streaks of tipping color running along the jaw line in the area between the chin and ear.

Brassy - Term applied to Creams when the color is too dark and too harsh rather than the pale, delicate shade called for in the color description.

Breed - A class of domestic cavy which reproduces distinctive characteristic of markings, texture, type, size, coat pattern, etc.

Broken Coat - Guard hair that is broken or missing in spot, exposing the undercoat. Areas where the coat is affected by molt, exposing the undercoat.

Rabbit Glossary

Rabbit Glossary

This is a glossary of word and terms specific to rabbit and rabbit showing. These are not necessarily the dictionary definition.

Abscess or Boil - A localized area of inflammation caused by an infection under the skin, in a gland, or in a hair follicle. It may produce localized swelling, heat, and redness. It is sometimes characterized by swollen, inflame tissue, where pus gather. A disqualification from competition.

Adult - A mature rabbit of breeding age. For show classification, see senior.

Agouti Pattern - A hair shaft that has three or more bands of color, whit a definite break between each color. It usually has dark slate at the base, whit two or more alternating light or dark bands of color, which is further interspersed with contrasting guard hair.  The head, feet, and ears usually have ticking. Eye circle, belly, under jaws, underside of tail, and triangle are much lighter (may be white in some cases) and do not carry ticking.

Albino - A white rabbit with pink eyes caused by a recessive gene.

Arch - The gentle curvature of the spine, extending from the neck (or shoulder in some breeds) to the rear of the rabbit. This is best observed by viewing the animal in side profile.

Awn Fluff - The soft, crimped, intermediate wool fibers ending with a straight tip. A type of wool fiber describe in the Giant Angora standard.

Awn Hair - The strong, straight, guard hair protruding above the undercoat in the Giant Angora.

Back - The top portion of the shoulders, loin, and hindquarters.

Balance - 

1.Type -- Shape or conformation. An orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical of characteristics, so as to present of harmonious appearance.

2. Marking -- Equal distribution of corresponding marking, such as color divisions of the Harlequin, or equal amounts of color on the cheeks of the Dutch. Equal distribution  of color in the pattern and side marking  of the Checkered Giant, English Spot, and Rhinelander.

Band - An unbroken vertical circle of marking color around the body of the Harlequin.

Banding -  A hair shaft having various colors. Normally associated with an agouti coat.

Bangs - The longer wool appearing at the front base of the ears and top of the head in some wool breeds.

Bar - A semicircle of marking color, running vertically on the sides or body of the Harlequin.

Barred - 

1. Elongated spots which should be round. (As founds in the side markings of the Rhinelander or English Spot, or the cheek spots of the Rhinelander, English Spot, or Checkered Giant.)

2. Light colored streaks or bars on the front or rear feet.

Base Color or Undercolor - The fur color at the base of the fur shaft next to the skin.