M-n-M Rabbits - Showroom Words

Do you need some help understanding the "showroom words" we use on our web site? Hopefully you can find what you're looking for here!

Awards won at county or state fair shows and some ARBA shows may differ slightly. Grouping of breeds may be used when picking BEST IN SHOW, in that case, Best 4- and 6-class don't apply, instead winning rabbits are given "Best of Group" awards. Some shows even classify a Best Reserve in Show, or an honorary Best Overall Rabbit (overall youth and open entries).

Words may differ depending on who you talk to. Sometimes BIS is referred to as BOS (Best Of Show), and BOS is referred to as BOSB (Best Opposite Sex of Breed). We prefer to keep it simple and do it the less confusing way.

These are just a few showroom words. To learn more of the "rabbit language", read our Rabbit Dictionary! It has a ton of cool rabbit words!

For a more complete rabbit dictionary, consider purchasing the American Rabbit Breeders Association's Standard of Perfection at www.arba.net!

Showroom words are listed on the left, next to the second column listing abbr. or related words.

Showroom Word	Also Known As	Definition
4-class		The smaller show-and-pet, or fancy, breeds. These breeds have 4 classes, SR Bucks and Does, and JR Bucks and Does. Mini Rex and Holland Lops are 4-class breeds.
6-class		Breeds with a minimum ideal senior weight of 9 pounds that are usually judged for their commercial value. They have two more classes than 4-class breeds, 6/8 Bucks and Does. New Zealands are 6-class breeds.
6/8	Intermediate	See "Intermediate".
ARBA Convention	Nationals	The largest rabbit show in America, held for a few days every fall in a sponsoring city. There have been over 80 ARBA National Conventions, the first being in Kansas City, Missouri. Modern shows have catered to 20,000 plus rabbits! Every single breed recognized by the ARBA is represented at the show. Some rabbits travel from as far away as Canada and Japan!
Best 4-class, Best 6-class		The best fancy and commercial rabbits in a show. These two rabbits compete for the title of BEST IN SHOW. This is the usual grouping method. Large shows may divide rabbits into more groups.
BEST IN SHOW	BIS	The best rabbit in a show.
Best Of Breed	BOB	The best rabbit in a breed.
Best Of Group	BOG	The best rabbit in a group.
Best Opposite Sex	BOS	The best rabbit in a breed wins Best Of Breed, the best rabbit of the opposite sex wins Best Opposite Sex.
Best Opposite Sex of Group	BOSG	This best rabbit of the winner's opposite sex in a group.
Best Opposite Sex of Variety	BOSV	This best rabbit of the winner's opposite sex in a variety, or showroom color.
Best Of Variety	BOV	The best rabbit in a variety, or showroom color.
Classes		See "Showroom Classes".
Disqualification	D.Q.	One or more defects, deformaties, or blemishes substantial enough to prevent a rabbit from competing or being registered.
Ear Number	Tattoo	See "Tattoo".
Fault		An imperfection of the rabbit. This is an undesirable characteristic or condition that will result in a lower placing but not total disqualification from competition.
Grand Champion	G.C.	A title a registered rabbit can receive after winning at least 3 legs. See "Leg" for more information about legs. For a rabbit to achieve Grand Champion status, at least one of those 3 (or more) legs must have been won while in an older age class (6/8 or SR) and at least two must be from different judges. There is a fee of $4 for the official certificate and Grand Champion number.
Intermediate	6/8	A 6-class rabbit between 6 and 8 months old, or who meets the breed weight requirements for this age group if the breed standard allows showing in a higher class. This classification only applies to New Zealands in our barn.
Judge		Someone who has undergone extensive testing by the ARBA and is licensed to judge rabbits at ARBA shows.
Junior	JR	Any rabbit younger than 6 months old.
Leg	G.C. Leg	A step to Grand Champion status. At least 3 legs are needed for a registered rabbit to become a Grand Champion. Legs are gained by winning a class or Best at an ARBA sanctioned show provided the rabbit competed against at least 5 other rabbits to win the leg and those other rabbits were owned by at least 3 other exhibitors.
Market Rabbit	Single Fryer	A judging class where young commercial rabbits are judged individually for their commercial quality. The rabbits must be under 10 weeks of age and weigh between 3 and 5 pounds. In 4-H shows, this is a market rabbit class. In ARBA shows, this class is termed Single Fryer. Often single fryers are shown right after the meat pens with some of the same meat pen rabbits. ARBA points and judging are separate for single fryers. They do not compete for BEST IN SHOW.
Meat Pen	Market Pen	A class of three 6-class rabbits no more than 10 weeks old. The rabbits are judged mostly on their commercial quality, uniformity, and weight. All three must be very much alike and all weigh about the same, between 3 and 5 pounds. ARBA points and judging are separate for meat pens. They do not compete for BEST IN SHOW.
Nationals	ARBA Convention	See "ARBA Convention".
Open		A word used to describe a division of rabbit showing. "Open" breeders compete in shows separately from "Youth" breeders. However, youth breeders can show in the Open division if they choose to.
Pre-Junior	PJ	Any rabbit younger than 3 months old.
Registered		A rabbit has undergone inspection and been admitted into the official registry of the ARBA. A fee of $4 has been paid, an exclusive tattoo has been added to the rabbit's right ear, and a certificate of registration should accompany the rabbit's pedigree. Because registered rabbits have to be individually inspected by a licensed registrar, ARBA Registered rabbits are definitely a special class of animal.
Roaster		A judging class where commercial rabbits are judged individually for their commercial quality. The rabbits must be under 6 months of age and weigh between 5 1/2 and 8 pounds. ARBA points and judging are separate for roasters, just like with meat pens and single fryers. They do not compete for BEST IN SHOW.
Sanctioned Show (ARBA)		The show has been recognized by the ARBA and rabbits exibited can earn G.C. Legs. No other rabbit show within 300 miles of this show can be sanctioned for the same time, which helps exhibitor turnout. The secretary of the show is contracted to complete all paperwork related to the show within 30 days or the sponsoring club will be fined.
Sanctioned Show (Specialty)		A fee has been paid to a specialty club either by the club hosting the show or an individual to sanction the show. This means that points can be earned by members of the specialty club to go toward their sweepstakes.
Self	Self-Colored	A rabbit with the same-colored fur over the entire body, head, ears, feet, legs, and tail. The rabbit has no ticking, agouti pattern, or shadings.
Senior	SR	In 4-class breeds, this is a rabbit over 6 months old. A senior is considered any rabbit over 8 months old in a 6-class breed. A rabbit can also be classified a senior if it has reached minimum senior weight and the breed standard allows showing in a higher class. This is true with Mini Rex and New Zealands.
Show Catalog		A flyer or booklet mailed out before a show containing all the information exhibitors will need to know about the show.
Showroom Classes	Classes	Divisions of rabbits by age and weight in a show.
Single Fryer	Market Rabbit	See "Market Rabbit".
Specialty Show		A show with only one breed of rabbit. Specialty shows are usually more competitive than normal shows, because all of the exhibitors raise the same breed of rabbit.
Standard of Perfection		THE BOOK. A book published every 5 years by the ARBA that contains the standard of perfection (a description of the theoretically perfect animal) for every recognized breed. This is the book that rabbit breeders strive to match.
Sweepstakes		Specialty clubs keep a running tally of points earned at sanctioned shows by their members in the open and youth divisions. At the end of their show year, the specialty club gives out awards to the highest placings in several designated categories.
Tattoo	Ear Number	A permanent method of identification in the rabbit's left ear. This is required for a rabbit to compete in an ARBA sanctioned show. Usually a rabbitry chooses a single method of numbering and lettering for all their rabbits.
Variety		A division of a breed determined by color.
Youth		A word used to describe a division of rabbit showing. "Youth" breeders, who are less than 18 years old, can compete in shows separately from "Open" breeders.

Please email mail@mnm-family.com or fill our our feedback form with additions or corrections to this page. We would like to make this dictionary as complete and accurate as possible!

This page was written by Ryan Missey using the ARBA's Standard of Perfection as a reference. All original portions of this page are Copyright © 2004-07 Ryan Missey. Permission to print for educational use is granted. See our Terms of Usage page for more information.