Terminology
Show Language
BIS - Best In Show
- Judged as the best rabbit in the rabbit show. BIS may be
chosen by comparing all the BOB winners, or a Best 4-Class
and a Best 6-Class may be chosen first, and the BIS chosen
from these two winners. Another method, is to designate
several groups, with several breeds in each group, choose a
Best of each Group, then choose BIS from the group winners.
Usually, only very large shows use this method. All shows are
required to choose a BIS.
RIS (BRIS)- Reserve In Show -
Judged the second best rabbit in the show. This is an
optional award. If a Best 4-Class and a Best 6-Class are
chosen first, the RIS is the one not chosen for BIS.
Best 4-Class -
Judged the best rabbit of all the breeds that have four
showroom classes. The four classes being: Senior buck, senior
doe, junior buck, and junior doe.
Best 6-Class -
Judged the best rabbit of all the breeds that have six
showroom classes. The six classes being: Senior buck, senior
doe, intermediate (6-8) buck, intermediate (6-8) doe, junior buck, and junior doe. Some of these
breeds also have a pre-junior class, which is not counted.
BOB - Best of Breed
- Judged the best rabbit of that breed.
BOS - Best Opposite
Sex - Judged the best of the opposite sex of the BOB
rabbit. (Example, if a doe wins BOB, then the judge will
choose the best buck for the BOS.)
BOV - Best Of Variety -
The rabbit judged best of its variety. "Variety" is
the same as "color" in most breeds. Some breeds
only come in one color, and BOV does not apply.
"Variety" can mean something else in some breeds.
The Lop breeds have a similar situation, but their varieties
are designated as being either Solid or Broken.
BOSV - Best Opposite
Sex of Variety - Judged the best rabbit of the
opposite sex of the BOV rabbit.
BOG - Best Of Group -
In some breeds, varieties are lumped together, and shown in
groups or first shown in
individual varieties, then the best of each group is chosen.
BOSG - Best Opposite
Sex of Group - Judged the best rabbit of the
opposite sex of the BOG rabbit.
4-H Shows:
Champion -
Judged the best rabbit in a certain "group" of
rabbits, as designated by the show committee. Rabbits may be
grouped by breed, or some other criteria, such as
"fancy" and "commercial", "all other
breeds", "grade", "meat pen",
"single fryer", etc.
Reserve Champion
- Judged the best of the opposite sex of the Champion rabbit.
(Example: if a Buck wins Champion, then the judge will
choose the best doe for the Reserve Champion. Meat pens are completely different: single fryer,etc. Reserve Champion is the second
place pen or rabbit, regardless of sex.
Grand Champion
- Judged as the best rabbit in the show, or a certain part of
the show. This award is chosen by comparing all of the
Champion rabbits. Meat pens and single fryers are usually
divided from "breeding" classes, so two or more
Grand Champions may be awarded in a show.
Reserve Grand Champion
- Judged as the best of the opposite sex of the Grand
Champion rabbit. Again, in meat pen or single fryer, Reserve
Grand Champion is the second place pen or rabbit, regardless
of sex.
ARBA Terms:
Grand Champion -
A rabbit who has won at least three "Leg" papers
(under at least 2 different ARBA judges, and with at least
one win as an intermediate or senior), is registered, and has
obtained a Grand Champion Certificate, with a Grand Champion
number, from ARBA.
Pedigreed - A
rabbit who has a written record of at least three generations
of ancestors. This information should include name and/or ear
number, weight and color, plus any other information
available, such as winnings, registration numbers, and Grand
Champion numbers. A pedigree form is made out by the breeder
of the rabbit. A pedigreed rabbit is usually a purebred, but
not necessarily. A pedigeed rabbit usually has a tattoo in
its left ear, which corresponds to the ear number on its
pedigree paper.
Registered -
A rabbit who is purebred, fully pedigreed, has passed the
inspection of an ARBA Registrar, and has received a
Registration Certificate and number from ARBA. A registered
rabbit should have a number or circled "R" tattooed
in its right ear.
Leg - An
official certificate issued by a Show Secretary, designating
a certain win. In all cases, a leg will only be issued if
there are at least 5 rabbits competing for that particular
win, with at least 3 breeders of those rabbits. A
"Leg" may be awarded for First Place in a class,
BOB, BOS, BOV, BOSV, BOG, BOSG, or BIS. A rabbit can only get
one Leg per show.
If you ever have any trouble or are unsure of what to do, ask someone. They are many people willing to give you a helping hand.