Abstract

Dwarf rabbit breeds have become increasingly popular in recent decades. They are not only popular pets, but we can also meet them more and more often when judging at exhibitions. The aim of this study was to obtain an overview of the most common advantages and disadvantages of commonly exhibited dwarf rabbit breeds, taking into account individual colour and drawing traits. A total of 1562 dwarf rabbits of 3 breeds were evaluated - Dwarf Lop in 24 colour varieties, Hermelin in 2 colour varieties and Netherland Dwarf in 19 colour varieties. The awards were collected at 8 exhibitions during 2023 and 2024 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Individual rabbits were judged by trained judges in 7 positions - weight, shape, type, coat, breeding criteria and care and health. In Position 1(weight), the most common fault across all selected breeds was excessive body weight. In Position 2 (shape), the most frequent faults were protruding hips with slanting rump and loose skin on the chest. Position 3 (type) primarily included conformation faults of the ears and a narrow chest. Position 4 (coat) addressed issues with reduced coat elasticity and density. Positions 5 and 6 (breed standards) are specific to individual colour varieties and concern faults in markings, coat colour, undercoat, and intermediate colour. By evaluating the exterior defects and advantages of dwarf rabbits, we can contribute to improving their breeding by selecting suitable individuals and increase awareness of specific areas that stand in the way of achieving the desired ideal of beauty.

Keywords

dwarf lop, hermelin, exhibitions, exterior, deficiencies, positions