I've been raising rabbits since 2006, and have re-started my herd about 4 times. Yes, that's right, 4 times! Why you may ask, because I improved in my understanding of what the Standard of Perfection was calling for! I started with Polish and Hollands, I sold out of the Hollands because I didn't like what I had. Got American Fuzzy Lops with the Polish, sold out of the Polish because I couldn't find the quality I wanted in my area. I got Holland Lops again, and got a Jersey Wooly to play with because I missed the up ears in my barn. I sold out of the American Fuzzy Lops because I had to put down my herd buck, and couldn't do it anymore. I bought a quad of Woolies to replace the fuzzes. Where did the Hollands go you might ask, they are being sold at this time to make room to go all Wooly.
Wow! It looks worse when I type it out like that. Do I love the Polish, yes, would I ever get back into them, yes, anytime soon, no. The Hollands are my dirty pleasure, I love a really nice Holland, so why sell out. I cannot do them, we just aren't meant to be; I won't breed them again for a while, I won't say never though. American Fuzzy Lops, nothing beats the big chunk factor and add wool and I am in heaven! But, the consistency isn't there, and I don't have the room to get them to where I want. Finally, the Woolers, ah those cute little ears, the smokin' hot bods, and those chunky faces! I think I may have found my heart breed here.
Dude, why not just stick with a breed and work on it? Well, it's MY hobby, so I do it MY way, and if I don't see myself with the breed 10 years down the road, I don't keep them. For me a "heart" breed is the breed that you can see yourself with forever, and could never not have. It's a breed I can see myself working with and possibly pulling a COD out on a color, winning at the national level, or attempting to attain that status.
It's all about starting with the best quality you can afford and find. Keeping with only a few compatible lines from only a few sources. Not picking pieces here and there and hoping they will cross. I keep emphasizing this, but I need to get this across for the newer first starting out breeders! Don't just think the big time breeders are blowing hot air, it's true! I think that may be why I went through all those breeds before settling on the Woolies, I actually did what they tell you to do! Related lines from only a few source, 2 breeders, from 3 lines; and you can see the quality.
I'm reminiscing because PaSRBA Conevention, one of the largest shows on the east coast (to my knowledge), is coming up! It's the "start" of my showing career, I did not show in it, but took in the awe my first year with rabbits. I consider it my beginning and bench mark. I would love to get to the point that I can constantly place well at this show, and the past years haven't let me down yet. I am very excited for this show, but am more excited for the January 23 in Mocksville, NC. I'm picking up my new Jersey Woolies that are coming from California. I love road trips, and showing in the south is just like coming home, they welcome you with open arms and embrace you into their show world. Yes, I am south of the Mason-Dixon line, I'm not a Yankee, but you go past Richmond, VA and something amazing happens, Southern Hospitality kicks in.
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