TinysMom
Well-Known Member
For those who don't know - lionheads are not yet an established breed with ARBA. Arden Wetzel tried to get them passed - they failed last year for the final time (for his attempt). Now it has gone on to Gail Gibbons who presented earlier this week.
Gail presented in four of the five colors on her COD (Certificate of Development). I don't remember all of the colors - I believe it was REW (ruby eyed white), tort and siamese sable - not sure if sable point was the fourth one or not. I know she did not present in chestnut because the junior doe did not make minimum weight as she'd gone off her feed.
For those who don't know what the process is like - its tough. You go before the standards committee and have to have a junior doe, junior buck, senior doe and senior buck that pass the standard. The committee is pretty darn tough too. One year they examined Arden's black rabbits (I think it was black) and had to blow into the fur near the rear - to find something like six stray white hairs? I forget what all it was about it - but it took them over an hour to disqualify the blacks with all of the committee members going over each rabbit.
If one rabbit in the group does not pass - then that color does not pass presentation for that year.
In order to be considered a "breed" by ARBA - the rabbits must pass three presentations in a five year period. They are allowed two strikes...but if they don't pass the third year in a row - then that color is not allowed to be presented again.
Let me give an example of what I mean.
In 2008 - REW, Siamese Sable, and tort were presented. Siamese sable passed.
In 2009 if these three colors are presented and the only one that passes again is Siamese sable - then in 2010 - tort and REW MUST pass or they are done with presentation.
Let's say that in 2009- Siamese sable doesn't pass...then it must pass again two more times before lionheads are recognized as a breed.
The nice thing about it - is that shows will now have to allow lionheads to show again in the siamese sable color. The standard will be printed in the next issue of Domestic Rabbit by ARBA and it will be used for judging. Many shows have been allowing lionheads anyway - even though Arden Wetzel failed last year. Others have not allowed lionheads.
If I remember right - there are currently 17 colors on CODs with ARBA for lionheads....and a total of...maybe 6 or 7 COD holders? I know that Theresa Mueller is next if Gail can not get the breed passed.
Anyway - just some trivia for everyone!
Gail presented in four of the five colors on her COD (Certificate of Development). I don't remember all of the colors - I believe it was REW (ruby eyed white), tort and siamese sable - not sure if sable point was the fourth one or not. I know she did not present in chestnut because the junior doe did not make minimum weight as she'd gone off her feed.
For those who don't know what the process is like - its tough. You go before the standards committee and have to have a junior doe, junior buck, senior doe and senior buck that pass the standard. The committee is pretty darn tough too. One year they examined Arden's black rabbits (I think it was black) and had to blow into the fur near the rear - to find something like six stray white hairs? I forget what all it was about it - but it took them over an hour to disqualify the blacks with all of the committee members going over each rabbit.
If one rabbit in the group does not pass - then that color does not pass presentation for that year.
In order to be considered a "breed" by ARBA - the rabbits must pass three presentations in a five year period. They are allowed two strikes...but if they don't pass the third year in a row - then that color is not allowed to be presented again.
Let me give an example of what I mean.
In 2008 - REW, Siamese Sable, and tort were presented. Siamese sable passed.
In 2009 if these three colors are presented and the only one that passes again is Siamese sable - then in 2010 - tort and REW MUST pass or they are done with presentation.
Let's say that in 2009- Siamese sable doesn't pass...then it must pass again two more times before lionheads are recognized as a breed.
The nice thing about it - is that shows will now have to allow lionheads to show again in the siamese sable color. The standard will be printed in the next issue of Domestic Rabbit by ARBA and it will be used for judging. Many shows have been allowing lionheads anyway - even though Arden Wetzel failed last year. Others have not allowed lionheads.
If I remember right - there are currently 17 colors on CODs with ARBA for lionheads....and a total of...maybe 6 or 7 COD holders? I know that Theresa Mueller is next if Gail can not get the breed passed.
Anyway - just some trivia for everyone!