PET RABBITS, CAVIES, AND MICE. ig 



judges show a great preference for rabbits in condition, 

 and you will often see a really good specimen with only 

 a H.C. card simply because it is not shown in good 

 condition. There is nothing more striking to a judge, 

 when he has several rabbits on the table or basket, some 

 in lovely coat and condition, others the reverse. The 

 first-named are bound to catch his eye, and you will find 

 it is always worth the little extra time and trouble ex- 

 pended on grooming and attention given to them. I 

 know it is very tempting, when you have been lucky 

 enough to get into the prize list several times. You are 

 then anxious to have another try, but you must have 

 a little consideration for the exhibits." Here are the 

 words of another old, experienced, and successful 

 breeder of silver greys: " Exhibiting: When is it best 

 to commence? Well, I should say at about five months 

 old, as soon as the rabbit is clean through its moult. 

 I do think it an abomination to see a silver grey in the 

 show pen with black ears and a big patch of black fur 

 on its forehead. How can this be perfection ? And in 

 the young classes it is easy to tell within 14 days whether 

 a rabbit is 5 or 6 months old! Although this time on 

 would give a great advantage. But if a rabbit is care- 

 fully shown at 5 or 6 months old it will take no harm, 

 but'will live to a good old age. My practice is only one 

 show a week, or if I am showing a buck, I do not use 

 him at stud while the shows are on. Always be sure to 

 show a rabbit in condition, i.e., with its coat well set. 

 If this point is studied, the rabbit will not take much 

 hurt. Very often the cause of trouble is sending rabbits 

 out when in moult and the constitution is low. It is 

 then that a rabbit contracts snuffles, and all sorts of 

 trouble, which, perhaps, are never cured; whereas a 

 little forethought would have prevented all this. If sent 

 out in good condition a rabbit has a much better chance 

 of catching the judge's eye." We do not propose to 

 labour the point of necessity for rabbits being shown in 

 good condition beyond giving these opinions of two 

 breeders of some of the most popular varieties shown at 

 the present day, in the case of the latter of which con- 

 dition either makes or mars a rabbit's chances almost 

 absolutely. Our next point is when to begin showing. 

 Our advice is that steps be taken to ascertain what is 

 needed in the show pen before you commence to exhibit. 



