The standard is printed every 5 years, so whatever is written stands for that amount of time. This is what the judge at a rabbit show makes his decisions based on. If it is unclear to the judge, then how is the breeder supposed to interpret it? When differences in fur or body type are interpreted differently by each judge, it causes confusion as to what to breed for. Breeders in a particular area will breed for what the judge is picking as Best. This causes a difference in type in different parts of the country.
There are contradictions, of course. When the standard says that an animal should peak at the center of the loin, but the photo in the book shows a rabbit with the peak at its hip, then when you look at a rabbit with the peak at the loin, it will appear chopped to you. We've all seen rabbits that were placed well on the show table, rabbits that were overweight or otherwise lacking in type. I still say it is in the eye of the judge. We need a clear description of each breed that creates no contradictions so there will be no mistaking what to look for and create in your herd. The key word in the Standard is PERFECTION.
