Typical Rabbit Show And FAQs

Basic Questions About Rabbit Shows

Where Are Shows Held?-  Local, all-breed rabbit shows are usually held in large metal multi-purpose buildings with cement flooring - such as buildings that commonly house local fairs and other community events.  Usually, the building has a kitchen area and restroom facilities. These buildings are not normally heated or temp-controlled for rabbit shows-so you'll need to dress appropriately for the expected weather conditions.

When Are Shows Held?-  Most rabbit shows are held on one or two weekend days - local clubs usually hold their annual rabbit show at approximately the same date/weekend each year.  In the Midwest, shows are plentiful during spring and fall, but are limited during the heat of summer and the cold in mid-winter.

How Long Does a Show Last?-  Count on all day!  Most one-day rabbit shows start between 8 and 9 a.m. and can last until 5 or 6 p.m., even longer.  Most two day rabbit shows will take your entire weekend.

Who Comes?-  Exhibitors travel from all over to attend rabbit shows - some even come from neighboring states.  You can attend any local rabbit show you want - you don't need to stay in your own state or area!

Do I Have To Be a Club Member?-  No - you do not need to be a member of ARBA or any rabbit club to enter a regular all-breed rabbit show.

Do My Rabbits Need Pedigrees or Registrations?-  No - you will not even be asked to show or prove your rabbit has a pedigree or is registered.  Although you do not have to prove your rabbit is a purebred, it is expected that you are showing a purebred rabbit.  Keep in mind, your rabbit cannot be registered or be awarded grand champion status unless it is a purebred.

What does it cost?  For regular shows, entry fees per rabbit are usually between $2.50 and $4.00.  If you attend national breed shows or convention shows, the cost per rabbit will be higher, even up to $10 per rabbit.  Other than entry fees and your initial expenses for carriers, you will only have expenses for gas and lodging (if needed).  Now you might spend more money at the raffle, food stand or rabbit supply vendor, but these are optional.

Can I Stay Overnight?-  Since many exhibitors will travel several hours or more to get to the show, most show catalogs (brochure about the show) will list overnight lodging options or hotels for travelers - some even have affordable camping right on the show grounds (camping can be great fun!). 

Usually rabbits just remain in their carriers in the showroom if an overnight stay is needed, but some clubs offer cooping (solid bottom cages similar to fair coops) for those who want their rabbits in a larger cage overnight or for longer weekend shows.

A Typical Rabbit Show - Day-of-entry show

The first show you go to is quite thrilling - when you first walk into the building and see hundreds of people and rabbits-it catches your breathe!  Wow - you didn't realize so many people are in our hobby!

Plan on getting to the show early in the morning, 7:30 or 8 a.m. is usually a good time.  You must enter the show by the time listed in your show catalog - usually by 8 or 9 am if a day-of-entry show, (if a pre-entry show, you've entered the show already).

Look around the large showroom, you will see the judging tables which look like long carpeted tables each with small boxes or cages along one side.  Usually the judging tables are all in one area of the building - either in the center area, or around the perimeter of the room. 

There will usually be an area for the club's raffle, plus areas for the food stand, show entries/ribbons, and an area for a rabbit supply vendor to sell supplies. 

Judging usually begins early, around 9 a.m.  'Starting Breeds" are posted in the show catalog- these are the breeds that will be judged first.  As each judge finishes judging their starting breed, the show committee assigns him or her another breed to judge, and this continues throughout the day, until all the entries have been judged.  There is usually no certain order breeds are judged by - they are assigned sort of randomly as judges become available throughout the day.

Sometimes your breed is called early in the day and other times you end up waiting all day for your rabbits to be judged!  While waiting, you can browse the rabbit supply vendor's goods, enter the club's raffle, visit the food stand and wander around talking to breeders.  This waiting around is what has helped develop so many lifelong rabbit breeder friendships!

When it is time for your rabbit to be judged, you'll place him or her in one of the boxes/cages at the table.  The judge will inspect all the rabbits in the class, then begin placing them.  If your rabbit doesn't win its class, it will be handed back to you-put it back in its carrier.  After all your rabbits have been shown, you are free to leave the show.

NOW, if your rabbit won its class, he or she will complete against all the others in that breed.  If you have the good fortune of winning Best of Breed, you can stay until end of the show for competition against all the other breeds for the top honors of Best in Show!

When the show is over for you - pick up your remark cards and any ribbons, pack up, clean up your area and head for home. 

Your 'show report' (how you did at the show) will be made by the show secretary within the next month and will be available at the next local show for you to pick up, or it will eventually be mailed to you. 

The first few shows are usually confusing to the new exhibitor - I can guarantee that the 'lost' feeling will gradually subside as you become familiar with the routine, and soon you'll find yourself looking forward to the next rabbit show and the new friends you are making!

Rabbit shows in other areas of the country may be run a little differently - it is important to contact your show secretary and get a 'show catalog' prior to the rabbit show.  The show catalog will list all the important information you need - where and when the show is, if it is a day-of-entry show or a pre-entry show, contact information and lots more!

This is how a typical rabbit show runs in the Midwest - for more detailed information, be sure to visit our rabbit showing article library - links to each article are located in the sidebar to your upper left.  Visit often, I'll be adding new articles as my time permits!