Californian Rabbit Breed Standard

        
Classes and Weights:

Senior Bucks – 8 months of age and over, weight 8 – 10 pounds. Ideal 9 pounds.

Intermediate Bucks – Under 8 months of age, not over 9 pounds.

Junior Bucks – Under 6 months of age, not over 8 pounds. Minimum weight 5.5 pounds.

Senior Does – 8 months of age and over, weight 8.5 – 10.5 pounds. Ideal 9.5 pounds.

Intermediate Does – Under 8 months of age, not over 9.5 pounds.

Junior Does – Under 6 months of age, not over 8.5 pounds. Minimum weight 5.5 pounds.

Pre-Junior Bucks and Does – Under 3 months of age, not over 5.5 pounds.

Juniors and Intermediates, 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.



Judging points Allocation

Body – 58 points: The body shall be of medium length, with depth of body to approximately equal width. It shall have good depth of hindquarters and well developed shoulders, with the shoulders being slightly lower and narrower than the hips, forming a slight taper. The back is to rise gradually from the nape of the neck to the high point over the hips. To be plump and firm of flesh.

Faults -- Racy, mandolin, or any type away from a plump, firm meaty body. Cut severely for shoulders wider than hips; long, narrow head; extra long neck, flatness over back, especially over hips; rough, bony, protruding hips.

Hindquarters – 22 points : Hindquarters are to be broad, deep, smooth, and well rounded, with well filled, firm flesh. Lower and back sides are to be well filled. Hindquarters are to be slightly wider and deeper than shoulders, with enough depth and width to indicate roundness when viewed from any direction. The loin is to be broad and deep, with enough width to blend the hindquarters and midsection.

Faults – Narrow; flat; pinched; undercut; chopped, bony rump; weak loin; protruding hip bones; rough over spine.

Midsection – 19 points : Rib section to gradually rise from front to hips. It is to be broad and deep enough to balance with shoulders and hips. Midsection is to be well rounded, with as much firm flesh as possible down the sides.

Faults – Narrow; flat; rough, not well filled.

Shoulders – 17 points : Shoulders are to be well developed, with firm flesh. They are to be slightly lower and narrower than the hips. They are to rise from the front of the neck with a smooth taper towards the high point.

Faults – Too narrow or too wide to balance with the hindquarters. Excessive fat or loose, flabby flesh over shoulders.

Head – 3 points: The head is to be well shaped and medium full. It is to be carried erect on a short neck and set close to the body. Buck heads are to be a little fuller than does.

Faults – Long, slim head, pinched nose.

Ears – 2 points : Length is to be in proportion to the size of the body. They are to be well set on the head, strong at base, and carried in a straight, upright position.

Faults – Heavy; open; spoon shaped; weak ear base.

Eyes – 0 points: Eyes are to be bright and bold. Color Pink.

Feet & Legs – 2 points : Bone is to be medium in size, and with rather short legs preferred. Toenails should be as dark as possible. Light colored nails, showing pigmentation, must match on that foot and the corresponding foot.

Faults – Long or heavy bone.

Disqualifications from Competition – One or more white toenails, or those that carry no color other than the pink cast shed by the blood vessels.

Tail – 0 points: The tail is to be straight and carried erect. Length and size is to be in proportion to the body.

Fur – 20 points : (Flyback) Per ARBA Commercial Normal Fur Standard.

Texture – the coat should be coarse enough in guard hair to offer resistance when stroked toward the head. The coat should fly back to its normal position and lie smooth over the entire body. There should be a fine undercoat, which is soft, interspersed thickly with decidedly heavier or thicker guard hairs. Texture is more important than density.

Density – The underfur should be fine, soft and dense, interspersed thickly with decidedly heavier or thicker guard hairs. These guard hairs should be visible down to the skin and extend above the underfur to form a protective surface for the underfur and give body and density to the coat. The same quality fur should give body and density to the coat. The same quality fur should carry down the sides and under the stomach, making a large, more usable pelt. The stomach fur will be shorter, but should be dense, avoiding a soft wooly type fur on the stomach and crotch.

Balance & Condition – The coat should be well balanced and of fairly good length, with a differential between the tip of the guard hair and the underfur not to exceed one eighth of an inch. A dense short coat is preferable to a long thin coat. Texture and density are important factors, but they should be coupled with a uniform length. The hair should be set tight in the skin, without breaks due to molt, broken spots, broken guard hairs, mats, or stains. The guard hair should be glossy and alive, not brittle of dry. The coat should be clean, bright and free of stain.

Faults – Short, stubby fur or thin, shallow fur; fur too soft, especially on the stomach and crotch; any stains.

Disqualifications from Competition – Fur resembling wool, Satin or Rex.

Color & Markings – 5 points : Californians are to have a colored nose, ears, feet and tail. Color is to be as near black as possible. Eye stains or colored spots confined to the dewlap are permissible. Body color is to be pure white. Eyes – pink.

Faults – Any other color.

Disqualifications from Competition – Any color or smut on the usable portion of the pelt. Color above the elbow joint of the front leg. Color on the rear legs is not to extend more than 2 inches above the hock joint, with the fur in its normal position. Complete absence of color on the nose, ears, feet or tail. Definite clean white spot(s) in colored markings. Any Tan Pattern marking appearing in a Californian marking.

Condition – 10 points : Per ARBA definition: A definite appearance of health and vigor. Bold and bright of eye. Good coat, firmly set in the pelt. Firm in flesh covering, neither too fat, with soft flabby flesh, nor too thin in flesh, creating a bony effect when examined. Flesh is to be deep and even over the entire body."

The previous Breed Standard of Perfection description is quoted from the:
2001 thru 2005 ARBA Standard of Perfection for Standard Bred Rabbits and Cavies: