Spring Creek Gems®
Netherland Dwarf Rabbits
"The Gem of the Fancy"
East Tennessee
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1.1.09
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GLOSSARY
Terms and abbreviations used thoughout this site. These definitions are in regards to Netherland Dwarfs, but may apply to other breeds as well.
BIS, RIS: Best In Show, Best Reserve In Show.
BOB, BOS: Best Of Breed, Best Opposite Sex Of Breed.
BOG, BOSG: Best Of Group, Best Opposite Sex Of Group.
BOV, BOSV: Best Of Variety, Best Opposite Sex Of Variety.
Brood (buck or doe): Refers to rabbit used for breeding. May be unshowable due to weight or color, but considered useful.
BUB: Big Ugly Buck. Affectionate term for bucks too large and long-eared for showing. Also called False Dwarf. Generally considered Pet Quality. See Dwarf Gene; Quality.
BUD: Big Ugly Doe. Affectionate term for does too large and long-eared for showing. Also called False Dwarf or Brood Doe. BUDs are the baby-makers and capable of producing show quality offspring. They usually have larger litters, and kindle more easily and reliably than small True Dwarf does. See Dwarf Gene.
Commercial: Refers to breeds that are raised for meat or fur, usually the large breeds. Also refers to the operation of breeding for meat or fur.
Cull, Culling: The process of eliminating unwanted animals from the herd by selling or giving them away, or in some cases, euthanasia. Culling is done to improve the breed, eliminate genetic flaws or incurable disease. Cull also refers to the animal being culled.
Dam: Mother.
Dense: Deep, undiluted color. Black, Chocolate, Siamese Sable, Chestnut, Chinchilla, Orange. See Color Articles.
Dilute: Gene which produces a lighter version of a color. Blue is the dilute of Black, Lilac is the dilute of Chocolate, Siamese Smoke Pearl is the dilute of Siamese Sable, Fawn is the dilute of Orange, Squirrel is the dilute of Chinchilla. See Color Articles.
DQ: Disqualification. Any deviation from the SOP that will disqualify a rabbit from being shown. See SOP; Color Articles.
Dwarf Gene: The dwarf gene is responsible for the small size, short ears, and round shape of the ND. If a kit gets one (1) copy of the dwarf gene, it will be a True Dwarf with the small round type. This is the Show Bunny. If it doesn't get the dwarf gene (50/50 chance), it will be a False Dwarf. This is the large, racy, long-eared type that is unshowable. Affectionately called Big Ugly (BU). If the kit gets a double dose of the dwarf gene, it's lethal. This double-dwarf kit is called a Peanut, and will die within 3 days of birth. They will be very small with deformed heads and hindquarters, and it's believed with undeveloped digestive systems which is why they don't survive. Two (2) True Dwarfs are more likey to produce Peanuts. A False Dwarf doe (BUD) paired with a True Dwarf buck will produce some True Dwarfs, some False, and litters are generally larger. False Dwarf bucks (BUB) have no real use. However, large, overweight, typey bucks can be considered True Dwarfs if they conform to the general shape desired, having round heads and bodies, and short ears. These large bucks will be too heavy to show, but can add heavier bone. Peanuts are proof that both parents are True Dwarfs. See Abnormal Kits.
Ear Number: Permanant tattoo in left ear. May be numbers, letters, or series of either. Identifies the rabbit for show or breeding. Registered rabbits receive a symbol in the right ear at the time of registering.
Fader: Kit that begins to waste away at weaning, usually around 4-6 weeks of age. Also called Waster. See Dwarf Gene; Abnormal Kits.
False Dwarf: See Dwarf Gene; BUB; BUD; Quality.
Fancy: Refers to breeds that are only raised for show or pet, usually the dwarf breeds. Also another term for hobby.
Fault: Conformation or color fault that may cause a rabbit to be placed lower in its class. Not a DQ. See DQ; SOP.
GC: Grand Champion. Rabbit that has been registered with ARBA, and has earned at least 3 Legs. See Leg; Shows.
Group: See Color Articles.
Hippo: See Abnormal Kits.
Hobby Breeder: Breeder who raises animals for show, pets, or fun, and is dedicated to improving the breed.
Hole: Individual cage, or space in carrier.
Jr: Junior. Rabbit under 6 months of age, usually over 6 weeks old.
Kindling: ~ Birthing; delivery of litter.
Kit: Baby rabbit, usually under 6 weeks old.
Leg: Point earned by being best of its class at a show. See GC; Shows.
Max Factor: See Abnormal Kits.
Molt, Moult: Shedding of old fur and wool to allow the growth of a new coat. Often in response to summer heat. A rabbit that has begun a heavy molt is said to have "blown its coat".
ND: Netherland Dwarf. The smallest breed of rabbit. Adult weight between 1.5 lbs and 3.5 lbs. Showable weight limit 2.5 lbs. See Dwarf Gene, Color Articles; American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club
Non-extension: The "ee" gene. Removes most of the dense color from the coat. Necessary for Sable Point, Tort, Orange, and Fawn. It takes 2 and can hide for many generations. When 2 rabbits come together that carry "ee", they will produce non-extension varieties. Also responsible for Fox (tort otter), and Ermine (brown-eyed white) which are unrecognized. See Color Articles.
Palpate: Examination of bred doe for evidence of pregnancy. This takes practice and involves feeling for the kits in the doe's womb.
Peanut: See Dwarf Gene.; Abnormal Kits
Points: Refers to shaded and Himalayan varieties. Darker color on ears, nose, feet, and tail. See Color Articles.
Quality (Show, Brood, Pet): Show Quality is a rabbit that conforms to the SOP. Brood Quality may not be showable, but useful for breeding. Pet Quality doesn't fall into either catagory.See Dwarf Gene; SOP; BUB; BUD.
Show Bunny, Showable: Rabbit that conforms to the SOP, and has no DQs. See DQ; Quality; SOP.
Sire: Father.
Sr: Senior. Rabbit over 6 months of age. Considered adult.
SOP: Standard Of Perfection. Description of breed as recognized by American Rabbit Breeders Association.
True Dwarf: See Dwarf Gene.
Type, Typey: General conformation. Typey refers to a rabbit that closely conforms to the SOP. See SOP.
Unrecognized: Variety or breed. Unaccepted by the SOP. See Color Articles; DQ; SOP.
Variety: Color and/or pattern. See Color Articles.
Weanling: Kit that is eating solid food. Usually 4-8 weeks of age. Also refers to kits that have been taken away from their dam.
Related Info: American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club (ANDRC); American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA)
* DISCLAIMER * This article was written from personal experience and opinion, and some input from other breeders. It is intended as a guide only. Other breeders may disagree or have other methods.
This article or any part of this site may not be reproduced without permission.
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