What ya think of my new lionhead?

I agree with Peg. He is cute though

I have got some pretty nice Mini Rex around here for $10. You just have to know what to look for. Some breeders just have connections, wish I did. LOL.

But he's only 8 weeks old.. Can he grow out of it??

:faint::headsmack

Aside from what everyone else has said, he appears to be a "teddy" Lionhead to me. I don't believe these are showable. But I don't know much about Lionheads, maybe his back fluff will molt out in time.

I know the breeder was showing I believe hes brother.. But he could might change once hes older.. Hes young still.

Definitely NOT a teddy as you can see a nice saddle on him that has shed out.

I'm not sure how you think he'll change - his type won't change - a rabbit that is long in body at this age will continue to be long in body - same with ears.

What did his brother look like? Shorter in body?

Just curious...

He's brother was a sable point. He was much bigger then Alex..
I was hoping he can change.. Hmm, (what to do, what to do).
Can I still show him once hes older?

But... Also he's pedigree haves some good breeders (popular) in Michigan..

mistyjr wrote:

But... Also he's pedigree haves some good breeders (popular) in Michigan..

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I know that problly doesnt change a thing or people doesnt care about that.

TinysMom wrote:

Definitely NOT a teddy as you can see a nice saddle on him that has shed out.

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This is from the Lionhead working standard:

[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]COAT- Points 15: The fur should be soft, dense, of medium length, and prime. It should show lots of life and glossiness. Ideally the saddle, flanks, and rump of the animal should be clean of wool. Transition wool is allowed on the lower rear sides and rump of juniors and seniors.
Transition wool is defined as a significantly shorter wool on the face, flanks, and rump. Transition wool is not to exceed 2 inches.

[/font][font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Faults - Fur that is long, thin, or poor in texture; excessive wool on the flanks of a junior animal.[/font]

To me, the fur doesn't show "lots of life and glossiness", it appears as a shorter or maybe intermediate (as in, in the process of molting out) wool, rather than fur. Like I said, that may molt out in time because I've seen that happen too. Or it may just be the picture making it look more fuzzy than it really is. But either way, my point was just that the coat didn't look ideal from the pictures.

Teddy may have been the incorrect term to use- I was under the impression it just meant an excessively fuzzy Lionhead.

I don't think anyone is saying you can't show him more that he might not do well in a show because his type isn't great. Unfortunately it doesn't matter what rabbits are in his pedigree because that wont change his type. Are you still planning on breeding him?

OakRidgeRabbits wrote:

TinysMom wrote:

Definitely NOT a teddy as you can see a nice saddle on him that has shed out.

Click to expand...

This is from the Lionhead working standard:

[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]COAT- Points 15: The fur should be soft, dense, of medium length, and prime. It should show lots of life and glossiness. Ideally the saddle, flanks, and rump of the animal should be clean of wool. Transition wool is allowed on the lower rear sides and rump of juniors and seniors.
Transition wool is defined as a significantly shorter wool on the face, flanks, and rump. Transition wool is not to exceed 2 inches.

[/font][font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Faults - Fur that is long, thin, or poor in texture; excessive wool on the flanks of a junior animal.[/font]

To me, the fur doesn't show "lots of life and glossiness", it appears as a shorter or maybe intermediate (as in, in the process of molting out) wool, rather than fur. Like I said, that may molt out in time because I've seen that happen too. Or it may just be the picture making it look more fuzzy than it really is. But either way, my point was just that the coat didn't look ideal from the pictures.

Teddy may have been the incorrect term to use- I was under the impression it just meant an excessively fuzzy Lionhead.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info... I had to get him due to our last Tort Buck died. My hubby caries him in hes pocket. Our last lionhead buck didnt have a saddle until says after before he died... I will just show him once hes older and see what the judges will say.. It wont hurt to ask or know..

countrybuns wrote:

I don't think anyone is saying you can't show him more that he might not do well in a show because his type isn't great. Unfortunately it doesn't matter what rabbits are in his pedigree because that wont change his type. Are you still planning on breeding him?

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Just like I said. I just got him last weekend.. I was planing on breeding him. Im going to take him to the July show and see what the judges think.. It wont hurt to ask or know... If he does poorly. I can still use him for my brood buck..

mistyjr wrote:

countrybuns wrote:

I don't think anyone is saying you can't show him more that he might not do well in a show because his type isn't great. Unfortunately it doesn't matter what rabbits are in his pedigree because that wont change his type. Are you still planning on breeding him?

Click to expand...

Just like I said. I just got him last weekend.. I was planing on breeding him. Im going to take him to the July show and see what the judges think.. It wont hurt to ask or know... If he does poorly. I can still use him for my brood buck..

Click to expand...

Honestly - if he does poorly you do NOT want to use him for your brood buck. You want your buck to be the absolutely nicest you can get. You'd be better off to sell him and maybe any other "not the greatest quality" you might have and put your money from those sales together to buy a nicer buck.

Just for grins - for anyone who wants to see the "older style" lionheads - look here:

http://lionheadrabbit.net/gen gallery oldies.htm

Penelope is hilarious - most breeders would never use her in a breeding program now....

Of the ones on that page - Tuborg and Dalton are probably the two that are closest to the current lionhead working standard.

OakRidgeRabbits wrote:

TinysMom wrote:

Definitely NOT a teddy as you can see a nice saddle on him that has shed out.

Click to expand...

This is from the Lionhead working standard:

[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]COAT- Points 15: The fur should be soft, dense, of medium length, and prime. It should show lots of life and glossiness. Ideally the saddle, flanks, and rump of the animal should be clean of wool. Transition wool is allowed on the lower rear sides and rump of juniors and seniors.
Transition wool is defined as a significantly shorter wool on the face, flanks, and rump. Transition wool is not to exceed 2 inches.

[/font][font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Faults - Fur that is long, thin, or poor in texture; excessive wool on the flanks of a junior animal.[/font]

To me, the fur doesn't show "lots of life and glossiness", it appears as a shorter or maybe intermediate (as in, in the process of molting out) wool, rather than fur. Like I said, that may molt out in time because I've seen that happen too. Or it may just be the picture making it look more fuzzy than it really is. But either way, my point was just that the coat didn't look ideal from the pictures.

You are right - the coat doesn't look ideal from the photos. To be very blunt - this rabbit is a pet quality rabbit and not show or brood quality. It is just too long in body - the ears are too long - and for a buck - most breeders that have been breeding lionheads would not have this rabbit as part of their show or breeding stock.

By the way - with experience - you can learn to tell at a fairly young age which of the lionheads will be closer in type (when you get a litter and can compare them).

However - in the second and third picture(s) if I remember right - you can see where the saddle is breaking - where it is starting to lose all that mane. That is how I know it isn't a teddy - as a teddy (from my experience of being "blessed" with far too many of them) - won't show a saddle at all. As soon as I start to see that saddle start to break - I know the rabbit isn't a teddy.

Teddy may have been the incorrect term to use- I was under the impression it just meant an excessively fuzzy Lionhead.

Well - you're right - it is excessively fuzzy - but if a rabbit starts to have the saddle show - then it isn't a teddy and odds are good the rest of the mane will get better (less fluffy) after some time.

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TinysMom wrote:

Just for grins - for anyone who wants to see the "older style" lionheads - look here:

http://lionheadrabbit.net/gen%20gallery%20oldies.htm

Penelope is hilarious - most breeders would never use her in a breeding program now....

Of the ones on that page - Tuborg and Dalton are probably the two that are closest to the current lionhead working standard.

Click to expand...

Wow, that really is impressive. It reminds me of one of my animal science classes when we compared swine pictures from maybe 40 years ago to the animals we see today. Incredible what a difference breeding and management can make in such a short amount of time.

I have noticed that he haves a 2XM mane??

but, I will just see what the judges will say. And if he does poorly, He will just be our pet. I got him for my hubby and the kids. The kids adore him to much.

Since Lionheads are still in development and can be found in many shapes, sizes, colors, etc., I would suggest researching a little more into the breed before you choose show stock.

You will want to find out who some of the top breeders are in the breed as of now, and may even want to go straight to the COD holder for help and information. These breeders will most likely have the most consistent lines (since that's what they're breeding towards- consistency) and should be knowledgeable enough to help you choose a starter pair or trio which matches well against the working standard and would do well for you not only as show animals, but also as brood.

There are a LOT of people with Lionheads at this time. Many people are excited at the possibility of them getting accepted and have started projects in order to be involved. But as in any breed, not everyone is knowledgeable enough to be breeding rabbits according to the working standard, which is why even someone with "so-and-so's" lines may not be producing show quality rabbits.

I'm sure your new little guy will be a fantastic pet for your family, either way. But since it sounds like you're all loving the breed, it might be a lot of fun to look into where and how to get quality show stock that will do well for you at shows as well!