If you are serious or even just thinking about showing or breeding rabbits of any breed your number one tool should be The Standard of Perfection (SOP). This book is written, maintained and published by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). You can purchase an SOP at most rabbit shows or you can get it online from ARBA directly by clicking here. It is revised about every 4 years to include updates to specific breed changes or to add any newly recognized breeds. Currently there are 48 recognized breeds of rabbits, but some may not be listed in the SOP until the new edition is released. The SOP illustrates the qualities and characteristics of each breed of rabbit and cavy (another name for guinea pigs). The Standard of Perfection is a wonderful source to refer to when you are evaluating your own herd or looking for new stock.
Bonnie Seeley of High Bridge, New Jersey introduced the Jersey Wooly at the 1984 ARBA Convention in Orlando, Florida. She started with a French Angora and crossed it with a Netherland Dwarf. She selected only the best natured animals for her breeding. She wanted to create a small wool breed that would have a good temperment as a pet, but also not have to be groomed as much as the angora breeds required. The breed was recognized by the ARBA in 1988.
Jersey Woolies are shown in several classes based on their color. There are 6 groups of color varieties.
The following description is taken from The Standard of Perfection for Jersey Woolies:
Body- Points 30: The body is to be short and compact,with depth to aproximately equal width. The shoulders are to be of nearly the same width as the hindquarters. The midsection is to be well filled. Hindquarters are to be full and well-rounded. The top line is to rise in a gradual curve from just behind the earbase to a high point over the loin, then fall in a smooth curve to the base of the tail.
NOTE: The body should be assessed by feeling and not by sight alone as the wool may alter the visual concept of body type.
Posing: Jersey Woolies should be posed in their natural position to display a high head mount, thus accentuating the compact type and bold head. Jersey Woolies should not be stretched out or over tucked, as these practices will distort the desired conformation.
Faults: Long or narrow body/midsection;narrow shoulders or hips;flatness over shoulder or hindquaters; pinched or undercut lower hindquarters;roughness over hips.
Disqualification from Competition: Animals exhibiting exceptionally long,narrow,rangy body type.
HEAD-Points 16: The head shall be set high and close to the shoulders. The head shall be wide and short,beginning at the base of the ears,and carrying between the eyes to a well filled muzzle. The head shall be in balance with the body. When viewed from the side,the head shall apear short and bold; rounding from the ears and brow to a plane between the eyes and nose,then rounding at the muzzle and jowl. The head is to have "side trimmings" consisting of longer fur fibers along the jawline, which blend smoothly into the body wool. It is to have a "wool cap" of short ,dense wool from the ear base forward.
Faults-Long or narrow head; pinched muzzle. Cut severly for lack of "wool cap" or "side trimmings".
EARS-Points 10: Ears are to be short, well furred, and of good substance. They are to be carried erect,but not necessarily touching. Tips of the ears are to be slightly rounded. Ears are to be in balance with the head. Ideal length of ears is 2 1/2 inches. (to measure ear length, place a ruler against skull, bewtween the ears.)
Faults- Thin or poorly furred ears; poor ear carriage; scissoring.
Disqualification from Competition- Ears over 3 inches long; tassels on ears.
EYES-Points 2: Eyes are to be bold and bright. Eyes are to be the color described in the individual variety.
Disqualification from Competition- Any eye color other than called for in the list of recognized varieties.
FEET & LEGS-Points 0: Legs are to be sturdy and straight. Front feet are to have normal fur below the ankle. Hind legs may carry wool below the hock.
Faults- Extremely fine bone.
Disqualification from Competition-Wool below the ankle joint; toenail disqualification as per ARBA discription.
Bonnie Seeley of High Bridge, New Jersey introduced the Jersey Wooly at the 1984 ARBA Convention in Orlando, Florida. She started with a French Angora and crossed it with a Netherland Dwarf. She selected only the best natured animals for her breeding. She wanted to create a small wool breed that would have a good temperment as a pet, but also not have to be groomed as much as the angora breeds required. The breed was recognized by the ARBA in 1988.
Jersey Woolies are shown in several classes based on their color. There are 6 groups of color varieties.
The following description is taken from The Standard of Perfection for Jersey Woolies:
Body- Points 30: The body is to be short and compact,with depth to aproximately equal width. The shoulders are to be of nearly the same width as the hindquarters. The midsection is to be well filled. Hindquarters are to be full and well-rounded. The top line is to rise in a gradual curve from just behind the earbase to a high point over the loin, then fall in a smooth curve to the base of the tail.
NOTE: The body should be assessed by feeling and not by sight alone as the wool may alter the visual concept of body type.
Posing: Jersey Woolies should be posed in their natural position to display a high head mount, thus accentuating the compact type and bold head. Jersey Woolies should not be stretched out or over tucked, as these practices will distort the desired conformation.
Faults: Long or narrow body/midsection;narrow shoulders or hips;flatness over shoulder or hindquaters; pinched or undercut lower hindquarters;roughness over hips.
Disqualification from Competition: Animals exhibiting exceptionally long,narrow,rangy body type.
HEAD-Points 16: The head shall be set high and close to the shoulders. The head shall be wide and short,beginning at the base of the ears,and carrying between the eyes to a well filled muzzle. The head shall be in balance with the body. When viewed from the side,the head shall apear short and bold; rounding from the ears and brow to a plane between the eyes and nose,then rounding at the muzzle and jowl. The head is to have "side trimmings" consisting of longer fur fibers along the jawline, which blend smoothly into the body wool. It is to have a "wool cap" of short ,dense wool from the ear base forward.
Faults-Long or narrow head; pinched muzzle. Cut severly for lack of "wool cap" or "side trimmings".
EARS-Points 10: Ears are to be short, well furred, and of good substance. They are to be carried erect,but not necessarily touching. Tips of the ears are to be slightly rounded. Ears are to be in balance with the head. Ideal length of ears is 2 1/2 inches. (to measure ear length, place a ruler against skull, bewtween the ears.)
Faults- Thin or poorly furred ears; poor ear carriage; scissoring.
Disqualification from Competition- Ears over 3 inches long; tassels on ears.
EYES-Points 2: Eyes are to be bold and bright. Eyes are to be the color described in the individual variety.
Disqualification from Competition- Any eye color other than called for in the list of recognized varieties.
FEET & LEGS-Points 0: Legs are to be sturdy and straight. Front feet are to have normal fur below the ankle. Hind legs may carry wool below the hock.
Faults- Extremely fine bone.
Disqualification from Competition-Wool below the ankle joint; toenail disqualification as per ARBA discription.
Their maximum weight limit is 3 1/2 pounds. They have a very loving personality and are the easiest of all the wool breeds to groom with only a weekly or bi-weekly brushing requirement. They are the smallest of the wool breeds and make great companions.
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