The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Standard

GC KAYMAR'S CADDYSHACK (CADDY)

• What are the standards for a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit? 
  
  Judges of Netherland Dwarf Rabbits look for a body that is short and compact.  The shoulders should be deep and broad and the same width as the hindquarders.  The topline should show that the depth of the shoulders is carried through to a deep, well-rounded, and well-filled hindquarter.  The legs should be short in length and medium to heavy boned.  The head should 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 directions and should be set as close on the body as possible.  Ears should be short and well set on the top of the head with good substance and fur.  Ears should be rounded at the tips with and ideal length of 2 inches.  Eyes shoud be round, bold and bright and the eye color should be as described in the individual variety.  Fur shoud be rollback fur in good condition, not too long, thin or in poor texture.  A flyback type fur is undesirable.  The fur and eye color is to be as described under each variety. 
  
  According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), there are 36 showable varieties of Netherland Dwarfs.   Dwarfs are organized into 5 Groups:
  
  Group 1 Self
  * REW Ruby-Eyed White
  * BEW Blue-Eyed White
  * Black
  * Blue
  * Chocolate
  * Lilac
  
  Group 2 Shaded
  * Siamese Sable
  * Siamese Smoke Pearl
  * Sable Point
  * Tortoise Shell
  
  Group 3 Agouti
  * Chestnut
  * Opal
  * Chinchilla
  * Squirrel
  * Lynx
  
  Group 4 Tan Pattern
  *Otter
  * Silver Marten
  * Smoke Pearl Marten
  * Sable Maren
  * Tan
  
  Group 5 AOV (Any Other Variety)
  * Broken
  * Fawn
  * Himalayan
  * Orange
  * Steel
  
  In showing Netherlad Dwarf Rabbits, senior bucks and does 6 months of age and over are not to weigh over 2 1/2 pounds.  Junior bucks an does, under 6 months of age must be a minimum of 1 pound, but not over 2 pounds.  Juniors that exceed maximum weight limits may be shown in higher age classifications.  Nor animal may be shown in a lower age classification than its true age.
  
  Schedule of Points
  35 for body conformation or type
  15 for head
  15 for ears
  5 for eyes
  10 for fur
  10 for condition
  15 for color
  5 for condition
  
  For specific Netherland Dwarf disqualifications and variety standards, you should obtain a copy of the ARBA Standard of Perfection.  Another wonderful resource with color photos of the varieties is the Netherland Dwarf Official Guidebook from the American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club (ANDRC).  Both of these organizations can be found under the NENDRC Links page.   

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