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.
The Netherland Dwarf started out as a mutation of the Dutch breed in the 1880's, that were called the Polish breed. This mutated breed was exhibited in 1884 in England and later exported to Germany. They were only available in Blue Eyed White (BEW) or Red Eyed White (REW). Throughout the 1930's they were crossed with small wild rabbits to try and get some different colors. In 1940 the standard was originally introduced. After WWII, the Netherland Dwarf made its way to England. In 1947, it was exhibited in Amsterdam and in 1949 the Netherland Dwarf Club in England was founded. It wasn't until around 1965, the Netherland Dwarf was exported to the U.S. The English standard was the basis for the U.S. standard and it was presented and accepted at the 1969 ARBA national convention. The American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club began in 1970 and is said to be the largest ARBA specialty club to date.
Netherland Dwarfs are shown in several classes based on their color. There are 36 showable varieties of Netherland Dwarfs, which are organized into 5 Groups:
The following description is taken from The Standard of Perfection for Netherland Dwarfs:
NOTE: Juniors which exceed maximum weight limits may be shown in higher age classifications. No animal may be shown in a lower age classification than its true age. Showroom classes within a variety shall include the above classes. Black, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilacs are classed together in Himalayan, Otter, Silver Marten, and Tan varieties.
BODY∙∙Points 35: The body is to be short and compact. The shoulders are to be deep and broad, with the shoulders being the same width as the hindquarters. The depth and width of the body shall balance. The top line is to show that the depth of the shoulders is carried through to a deep, well rounded, and well filled hindquarter. The legs are to be short in length and of medium to medium‐heavy bone. Faults‐‐Narrow shoulders lacking depth or width equal to hindquarters is a severe fault. Fault animals with a long, rangy body type. Hindquarters that are pinched, undercut, or have protruding hips should be faulted. Animals lacking balance are undesirable. Fault animals with long limbs or fine bone. Disqualification from Competition∙∙Dewlap. Judges should refrain from pushing the head down on Netherland Dwarfs. They should not be stretched out, nor should they be pushed together. Dwarfs should not be encouraged to pose erect on their forefeet or show daylight between the front and rear feet when viewed from the side. They must show good balance and conformation, which is very essential for good Dwarf type.
HEAD∙∙Points 15: The head is to be large and of a size to balance with the body. It will be bigger in bucks than in does. The shape should be round when viewed from any direction. In profile, the arc from the base of the ear around the nose should not show a break. The head should be set high, and as close on the body as possible. Faults∙∙Heads with a pointed, Roman, or flat nose are to be faulted. It is a fault for the head to be too big or too small, so as not to balance with the body and ears. Lack of roundness is a fault.Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits Online Additional Information ‐ Standard of Perfection Page 2 of 6
EARS∙∙Points 15: Ears are to be short, well set on top of the head, erect (not necessarily touching), well furred, and of good substance with a strong ear base. They are to be rounded at the tips, with an ideal length of 2 inches. Ears should balance with the head and body. Faults∙∙Fault ears that are thin, bent, bowed, or lacking furring. It is a fault for ears to lie flat, be carried in a wide "V", or be scissored. Disqualification from Competition∙∙Disqualify animals with ears over 2 ½ inches in length.
EYES∙∙Points 5: Eyes are to be round, bold, and bright. The eye color is to be as described in the individual variety. Chocolates, Lilacs, Shaded varieties, and Martens may show a ruby red reflection from the pupil in proper light. However, no judge shall be required to find this. Animals shall not be faulted nor disqualified for having or not having this ruby red reflection from the pupil.
TAIL∙∙Points 0: The tail shall be well carried, straight, and well furred.
FUR∙∙Points 10: (Rollback) The fur is to be soft, dense, and prime, with lots of life and glossiness. Faults∙∙Fur that is long, thin, or poor in texture. A flyback type fur is undesirable. Fault fur that is molting, or in a broken condition.
COLOR∙∙Points 15: The fur and eye color is to be as described under each variety. Disqualifications from Competition∙∙Disqualify colored varieties having white spot(s) or conspicuous excessive white hairs. White or Himalayan varieties are to be disqualified when they have foreign colored spot(s). Apply general toenail disqualifications. Animals are to be disqualified for having the wrong surface color, the wrong intermediate color, the wrong under color, or the wrong eye color
The Netherland Dwarf started out as a mutation of the Dutch breed in the 1880's, that were called the Polish breed. This mutated breed was exhibited in 1884 in England and later exported to Germany. They were only available in Blue Eyed White (BEW) or Red Eyed White (REW). Throughout the 1930's they were crossed with small wild rabbits to try and get some different colors. In 1940 the standard was originally introduced. After WWII, the Netherland Dwarf made its way to England. In 1947, it was exhibited in Amsterdam and in 1949 the Netherland Dwarf Club in England was founded. It wasn't until around 1965, the Netherland Dwarf was exported to the U.S. The English standard was the basis for the U.S. standard and it was presented and accepted at the 1969 ARBA national convention. The American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club began in 1970 and is said to be the largest ARBA specialty club to date.
Netherland Dwarfs are shown in several classes based on their color. There are 36 showable varieties of Netherland Dwarfs, which are organized into 5 Groups:
The following description is taken from The Standard of Perfection for Netherland Dwarfs:
NOTE: Juniors which exceed maximum weight limits may be shown in higher age classifications. No animal may be shown in a lower age classification than its true age. Showroom classes within a variety shall include the above classes. Black, Blue, Chocolate, and Lilacs are classed together in Himalayan, Otter, Silver Marten, and Tan varieties.
BODY∙∙Points 35: The body is to be short and compact. The shoulders are to be deep and broad, with the shoulders being the same width as the hindquarters. The depth and width of the body shall balance. The top line is to show that the depth of the shoulders is carried through to a deep, well rounded, and well filled hindquarter. The legs are to be short in length and of medium to medium‐heavy bone. Faults‐‐Narrow shoulders lacking depth or width equal to hindquarters is a severe fault. Fault animals with a long, rangy body type. Hindquarters that are pinched, undercut, or have protruding hips should be faulted. Animals lacking balance are undesirable. Fault animals with long limbs or fine bone. Disqualification from Competition∙∙Dewlap. Judges should refrain from pushing the head down on Netherland Dwarfs. They should not be stretched out, nor should they be pushed together. Dwarfs should not be encouraged to pose erect on their forefeet or show daylight between the front and rear feet when viewed from the side. They must show good balance and conformation, which is very essential for good Dwarf type.
HEAD∙∙Points 15: The head is to be large and of a size to balance with the body. It will be bigger in bucks than in does. The shape should be round when viewed from any direction. In profile, the arc from the base of the ear around the nose should not show a break. The head should be set high, and as close on the body as possible. Faults∙∙Heads with a pointed, Roman, or flat nose are to be faulted. It is a fault for the head to be too big or too small, so as not to balance with the body and ears. Lack of roundness is a fault.Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits Online Additional Information ‐ Standard of Perfection Page 2 of 6
EARS∙∙Points 15: Ears are to be short, well set on top of the head, erect (not necessarily touching), well furred, and of good substance with a strong ear base. They are to be rounded at the tips, with an ideal length of 2 inches. Ears should balance with the head and body. Faults∙∙Fault ears that are thin, bent, bowed, or lacking furring. It is a fault for ears to lie flat, be carried in a wide "V", or be scissored. Disqualification from Competition∙∙Disqualify animals with ears over 2 ½ inches in length.
EYES∙∙Points 5: Eyes are to be round, bold, and bright. The eye color is to be as described in the individual variety. Chocolates, Lilacs, Shaded varieties, and Martens may show a ruby red reflection from the pupil in proper light. However, no judge shall be required to find this. Animals shall not be faulted nor disqualified for having or not having this ruby red reflection from the pupil.
TAIL∙∙Points 0: The tail shall be well carried, straight, and well furred.
FUR∙∙Points 10: (Rollback) The fur is to be soft, dense, and prime, with lots of life and glossiness. Faults∙∙Fur that is long, thin, or poor in texture. A flyback type fur is undesirable. Fault fur that is molting, or in a broken condition.
COLOR∙∙Points 15: The fur and eye color is to be as described under each variety. Disqualifications from Competition∙∙Disqualify colored varieties having white spot(s) or conspicuous excessive white hairs. White or Himalayan varieties are to be disqualified when they have foreign colored spot(s). Apply general toenail disqualifications. Animals are to be disqualified for having the wrong surface color, the wrong intermediate color, the wrong under color, or the wrong eye color
The dwarf maximum weight limit is 2 1/2 pounds. They are the smallest rabbit breed.
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