Rabbit Glossary

Abcess

A hard swelling or isolated collection of pus or purulent matter occurring in the rabbit's skin. Accompanied by localized fever and heat.

Adult

Any fully developed, mature rabbit of breeding age. For show purposes, a rabbit 6 months of age or older in breeds having four showroom classes and 8 months or older in breeds having six showroom classes. See Senior.

Agouti color pattern

A hair shaft that has three or more bands of color with a definite break between each color. Usually dark slate at the base, with two or more alternating light and dark bands or rings interspersed with black guard hairs. The head, ears, and feet usually have ticking; the belly color is much lighter and does not carry ticking. Examples: steel or gray Flemish, Chinchilla, and Belgian Hares.

Albino

A pink-eyed, white furred/wooled rabbit.

ARBA

The initials of the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc., which promotes rabbits in the United States and foreign countries, provides for licensing of judges and registrars, and publishes a book of standards (The Standard of Perfection) which describes the desired characteristics for each recognized breed.

Arch (Arc)

A gentle curvature of the spine, which extends from the neck (or shoulders in some breeds) to the rear of the rabbit. It is best observed by viewing the animal in profile.

Awn Fluff

The soft, crimped, intermediate wool fibers ending with a straight tip. A type of wool fiber described in the Giant Angora standard.

Awn Hair

The strong, straight guard hair protruding above the undercoat (Awn Fluff) on the Giant Angora.

Balance

1. Type: Shape or conformation. An orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance.
2. Markings: Equal distribution of corresponding markings, such as color division of the Harlequin, equal amounts of color on the cheeks of the Dutch. Equal distribution of color in the pattern and side markings of the Checkered Giant, English Spot and Rhinelander.

Bangs

The longer wool appearing at the front base of the ears and top of the head in some wooled breeds.

Banding

1. A hair shaft having various colors. Normally associated with an agouti coat.
2. An unbroken vertical circle of marking color, extending around the body of the Harlequin.

Bare Spot

A portion of the rabbit's pelt that lacks fur due to molt or any other cause.

Barred

1. Elongated spots which should be round (as in the side markings of the English Spot or Rhinelander, or the cheek spots of the Checkered Giant, English Spot or Rhinelander).
2. Light colored streaks or bars on the front or rear feet.
3. A semi-circle of marking color, running vertically on the side of the Harlequin.

Base Color

The color of the fur next to the skin.

Back

The entire top portion of the rabbit, extending from neck to tail.

Bell Ears

Ears that have large tips with a distinct fall or lop.

Belly

The lower part of the body containing the intestines, the abdomen. For purposes of defining color area, it is the underbody of the rabbit from the forelegs to the crotch area.

Belly Color

The color on the underside of the rabbit, extending from the forelegs to the crotch area.

Belt

The line where the colored portion of the body meets the white portion just behind the shoulders. Example: Dutch breed.

BEW

Blue-eyed white; white bunny with blue eyes resulting from two Vienna genes.

BIS

Best in Show. A rabbit show award. Denotes the best rabbit at the show that day

Blaze

The white markings found on the head of the Dutch rabbit. It covers the nose, whisker bed and runs along the jawline. The shape is that of a wedge, which tapers from the nose area to the base of the ears.

Bloodline

A term incorrectly used to denote a strain of rabbits.

Bloom

The vitality and finish of a coat in good condition.

Boots

The colored markings on the rear feet and legs of Himalayan marked rabbits.

BOB

Best of Breed. A rabbit show award. Denotes the best of a particular breed that day.

BOS

Best of Opposite Sex. A rabbit show award.Denotes the best rabbit (opposite sex of BOB)

BOSV

Best of Opposite Sex of Variety. A rabbit show award.

BOV

Best of Variety. A rabbit show award.

Boils

A localized area of inflammation caused by an infection under the skin, in a gland, or in a hair shaft. It produces a localized swelling, heat and redness. A Disqualification from Competition.

Bowed Legs

May be applied to the fore or hind legs. Bent like a bow. Legs curved out-wardly or inwardly from the middle. A Disqualification from Competition.

Breed

A class of domestic rabbit which reproduces itself with distinctive characteristics, such as fur, markings, shape, and size. A breed may be divided into varieties which are generally identified by color. A breed may be subdivided into varieties. Example: Black, Blue, and Tortoise varieties of the Dutch breed.

Breeder

1. Anyone who raises a special variety or varieties of rabbits or cavies which comply with their accepted Standard of Perfection.
2. A rabbit used primarily to produce offspring.

Breeding Certificate

A written certificate issued by the owner of a stud buck, showing It's pedigree in full, and the date of breeding to a particular doe. It is issued as proof of the ancestry of the anticipated litter.

Brindling

1. The longer tipped guard hairs carried up the sides of Tans.
2. An inter mixture of two colors without definite pattern.

BRIS

Best Reserve in Show ~ the rabbit of any breed judged to be second best at a show. This BRIS does not have to be the opposite sex of the BIS.

Broken Coat

A coat with guard hairs missing or broken in spots, which exposes the undercoat. Areas where the coat is affected by molt which exposes the undercoat.

Broken Color

Any recognized rabbit breed color in conjunction with white, and carrying the breed pattern.

Broken Ear

A distinct break in the cartilage of the ear which prevents erect ear carriage A Disqualification from Competition.

Broken Tail

A tail that is, or has been broken and is out of line. A Disqualification from Competition.

Buck

An unaltered or intact male rabbit.

Buck Teeth

A form of malocclusion where the incisors meet together evenly instead of the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors (also called "pegged" teeth). A Disqualification from Competition. See Wolf Teeth.

Buff

A rich golden orange color with a creamy cast.

Bull Dog

A short, broad, bold head with a definite masculine appearance..

Butterfly

A nose marking found on many breeds and Broken varieties. The wing portions cover the whisker bed and upper lip, with the body or nose fork extending up the center of the face..

Caked Teats or Udders

Engorgement of a does mammary glands and teats with an abundant milk supply (inflammation usually indicates mastitis).

Cannibalism

The practice of a doe eating her own young.

Cap

The marking line where lower ear color stops and joins head color. Specified in the Checkered Giant.

Carcass Weight

The weight of the rabbit after it has been processed.

Carriage

The manner in which a rabbit carries itself.
1. The style or characteristic pose of a rabbit.
2. The style in which a rabbit carries its ears.

Chain

The arrangement of spots on an English Spot, starting at the ear/neck with spots about the size of a pea, and taking a downward course toward the stomach/abdomen.

Charlie

An extremely lightly marked animal in marked breeds or Broken Groups. Usually having colored ears, light eye circles and a Charlie Chaplin mustache like marking for a butterfly and are also usually devoid of back and side markings. The trait is usually genetically recessive.

Cheek

1. The sides of the face below the eyes.
2. The rounded color head marking that forms the blaze and carries down along the jaw line of a Dutch.

Chest

The front portion of the body between the forelegs and neck.

Choppy (or Chopped Off)

A condition in which a rabbit is not well filled out and rounded in the loin and rump area.

Classification

A system of arranging the judging within different breeds. Typically a group of rabbits that fall into the same gender, pattern and age group.

Clean

1. A term used on French Angora, Satin Angora, Jersey Wooly and FUZZY Lops head, ears, feet and legs denoting the presence of normal fur (absence of wool) in those places.
2. A marking term denoting well formed markings without congestion or drags.

Cobby

A term meaning stout and stocky: short legged.

Cold

An infection localized in the nose. Usually characterized by repeated sneezing and the discharge of fluid from the nose. Sometimes accompanied by matted fur on the inside of the front feet. A Disqualification from Competition. (Note: In judging, the matted fur is only an indication and shall not be considered as conclusive evidence of a cold).

Compatible

In eye color, normal color that complements or matches the body color.

Condition

The overall physical state of a rabbit in relation to its health, cleanliness, fur and grooming.

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the inner membrane of the eyelid and sometimes the portion of the membrane that covers the white of the eye. A Disqualification from Competition.

Convention

The national rabbit show held by ARBA and sponsored by a local rabbit club for all breeds usually held in the fall. Many states hold conventions as well.

Coprophagy (Cecotrophy)

The normal practice of the rabbit consuming some of the droppings (soft night feces) directly from the anus.

Cow Hocks

Hind legs that turn inward at the hock causing the foot portion to turn outward from the body. A Disqualification from Competition.

Creamy

A term meaning light colored. The color of cream.

Crossbreeding

Mating individuals of different breeds. Thus making a non showable rabbit.

Crown

A strong basal ridge of cartilage at the top of the head between the ear base on some lop-eared breeds.

Culling

The process of selecting only the best rabbits from a litter for future breeding and show stock by selling or slaughtering the least desirable specimens from a litter.

Dam

The mother of a rabbit.

Density

The property or quality of a thick coat of fur. The number of fur fibers in a give area.

Definition

1. The sharpness and clarity of a color break on a hair shaft, as the ring color in Agouti fur.
2. Sometimes used to describe color contrasts.

Depth

1. Measurement downward from the top line of the body to the lowest portion of the body.
2. Sometimes used to describe the extension of color down the hair shaft.

Deviated Sternum

A condition in which the connecting tissue of the ribs and/or breast - bone fuse together forming an irregular sternum. Typically found at the lower end of the rib cage and is characterized as a lump or cone shaped bony protrusion, which may also extend up into the internal cavity of the animal. A Disqualification from Competition.

Dew Claw

An extra toe or functionless digit on the inside of the front leg.

Dewlap

A pendulous fold of loose skin which hangs from the throat. Common in does. Should be in proportion to the total body size. Not accepted in some breeds.

Disqualification or DQ

One or more permanent defects, deformities, or blemishes that make a rabbit unfit to win an award in competition or to take part in an exhibition. (Disqualified rabbits are not eligible for registration by the ARBA)

Doe

An unaltered or intact female rabbit.

Drags

Intrusions of color markings into a white marking area or visa versa.

Dressing

See Processing.

Ear Canker

An inflamed scabby condition deep inside the ear. It is caused by an infestation of the ear canal by rabbit ear mites. A Disqualification from Competition.

Ear Lacing

A colored line of fur which outlines the sides and tips of the ears. Extension
1. Length of leg and limb.
2. Depth of color carried down a hair shaft.

Elimination

One or more defects presumed to be temporary and curable. Cause for elimination in a show or from registration until cured or corrected.

Embryo

A kit in the early stages of development inside the doe.

Enteritis

Inflammation of the intestinal tract which can often be a fatal illness of the digestive system characterized by diarrhea and brought on by stress, excessive carbohydrate consumption and/or weaning.

Entry

entries are rabbits that will participate in a particular show.

Eye Bands

The color around the eye on Dwarf Hotot or Hotot.

Eye Circle

Even marking of color around both eyes. Example: Checkered Giant.

Eye Color

The color of the iris. The circle of color which surrounds the pupil of the eye.

Eye Stain

Splotches or streaks of color around the eyes in Himalayan and pointed white varieties.

Faking

Any dying, plucking, trimming or clipping so as to alter appearance. (Includes coloring toenails, powdering and indiscriminate use of grooming preparations designed to alter the natural condition or appearance.)

Faults

Imperfections. Conditions or characteristics that are unacceptable and will result in lower show placing but not disqualification. Examples: broken toenails, cheek spots to large, and poor tail carriage.

Fine Coat

A coat of fur too fine in texture, lacking body. Guard hairs are weak and thin in structure. Lacking the proper amount of guard hairs.

Finish

The desired degree of perfection in condition. Fully prime coat, color and flesh.

Flabby

The condition of a rabbit when the flesh or fur hangs loosely. Not trim and shapely.

Flank

The sides of the rabbit between the ribs and hips and above the belly.

Flat Coat

Fur lying too closely to the body. Lacks spring or body as noted by touch. Usually a fine coat coupled with a lack of density.

Flat Shoulders

A trait that occurs when the top line over the shoulders is noticeably parallel to the surface of the judging table. A lack of continuous arch from the neck over the shoulders.

Fly Back

The property of fur that causes it to return quickly to its normal position when stroked toward the head of the rabbit.

Flying Coat

The condition of a coat that is loose and fluffy, caused by undue length and thinness of under wool and weak guard hairs.

Foot

The part of the leg on which the rabbit stands. On the foreleg, that portion below the ankle or pattern. On the rear leg, that portion below the hock joint.

Forehead

The front part of the head between the eyes and the base of the ears.

Foreign Color

Any color of fur, nails, or eyes differing from that called for in the ARBA Standard of Perfection for the breed or variety.

Four Class Rabbits

Rabbit show category for all breeds having ideal adult weight under 9 pounds. There are four show classes for these rabbits: senior bucks, senior does, junior bucks, and junior does.

Forequarters

The portion of the body starting with the neck, back to and including the last rib.

Fostering

The use of a doe other than the dam to nurse and raise young kits.

Fringes

The wool appearing on the ears of some woolen breeds. Falls between the tassels and the bangs.

Fryer

A young meat animal, which for show purposes, cannot be over 10 weeks of age or weigh over 5 lbs

Furnishings

The tassels and fringes on the ears, the bangs and head side trimmings on some wooled breeds.

Genotype

The genetically inherited characteristics and potential of the rabbit stock.

Gestation

The period of time that a doe carries young in its uterus. Pregnancy. Normal length is 28-32 days.

Glossy

The reflection of luster or brightness from naturally healthy fur in rabbits. Improved by grooming.

Grand Champion

a rabbit that has earned three or more legs, at least one of them being a senior leg, under at least two different judges. To obtain a grand champion number and certificate, the legs must be submitted with a fee to ARBA.

Group

A broader classification than variety, usually applied to color groupings.

Guard Hair

The longer, coarser, projecting hair of the rabbit's coat which offers protection to the undercoat and furnishes wearing quality to the coat in addition to providing sheen.

Hairline

A narrow white line running between the ears, connecting the blaze and collar on the Dutch.

Herdsman Points

One herdsman point is awarded to each HLRSC member for each different rabbit that wins a Best of Breed or Best Opposite Sex in sanctioned shows. Herdsman points are indicators of the depth of the quality of a particular herd.

Hindquarters

The after-portion or posterior section of the body, made up of loins, hips, hind legs, and rump.

Hip

The thigh joint and large, muscular first joint of the hind leg.

HLRSC

Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club - national specialty club for Holland Lops. All Holland Lop breeders should belong to HLRSC.

Hock

The middle joint or section of the hind leg between the foot and hip.

Hog Fat

The condition of a rabbit obviously over-fattened and, as a result, out of proportion to the true type of the breed.

Hump Back

The condition of having a hump or protrusion on the back, marring a gracefully arched outline.

Inbreeding

A breeding program involving the mating of closely related rabbit stock, such as brother and sister.

Inherited

The degree to which a trait or characteristic is passed on from a parent to offspring.

Inner Ear

The concave (curved inward) portion of the ear.

Intermediate

A show class term referring to rabbits that are at least 6 months old and no older than 8 months and that fulfill the weight requirements of the breed.

Inventory

A list of everything on hand that is necessary to the project. A beginning inventory is taken at the start of a project year. An ending inventory is taken at the close of a project year.

Junior

A show class term referring to rabbits that are under 6 months of age and that fulfill the weight requirements of the breed.

Kindling

The process of giving birth to kits.

Kit

Baby rabbit.

Knee

The second joint of the leg, connecting the thigh and leg. In animals, more properly called the "hock". The second joint of the foreleg is the elbow.

Knock Kneed

See Cow Hocks.

Lapin

French word for rabbit. Also, in the fur trade, it is dyed rabbit fur.

Lazy Tail

A tail that is slow to assume its normal position when it is moved.

Leg

a leg is earned by winning in an ARBA-sanctioned show as long as there are three exhibitors and five rabbits competing for the win. For example, first place in a class of five or more bunnies showed by three or more different exhibitors would earn a leg. For classes without enough exhibitors and/or bunnies, it may be possible to earn a leg by winning BOSV (if there are sufficient numbers of the related sex in the variety), BOV (if there are sufficient numbers in the entire variety), BOS (if there are sufficient number in the related sex of the breed) or BOB (if there are sufficient numbers in the entire breed). A rabbit may only earn one leg per judging.

Line breeding

A breeding program involving the mating of rabbits that are both descended from the same animal but are related several generations back. For example: mating first cousins, uncle to niece, or aunt to nephew.

Litter

Young rabbits of a doe born at the same time.

Live Weight

The weight of a rabbit before it is dressed for market.

Loin

The part of the back on either side of the spine and between the lower rib and hip joint.

Loose Coat

The condition of fur lacking density in the undercoat, coupled usually with fine guard hairs and resulting in lack of texture. Does not indicate a slipping coat.

Lopped Ear

Pendulous ear. Not carried erect. Falling to the side or front.

Luster

Brightness and brilliance of fur.

Malocclusion

An inherited defect where the upper and lower jaws do not let the teeth meet, resulting in long, uneven teeth extending out of the rabbit's mouth.

Mandolin

The body of the rabbit is pear shaped, having the appearance of a mandolin laid face down. Back and saddle arch toward loins to make noticeably large, broad hindquarters.

Marked

A rabbit's fur usually white, which is broken up by an orderly placement of another color. Also refers to rabbits that carry the pattern of the Tan variety.

Massive

A term meaning bulky and heavy. Ponderous or large.

Meaty

The quality of being able to carry a large proportion of meat for the size and type of rabbit. A noticeable meatiness at the forequarters, back, saddle, loins, and haunches.

Molt (Moult)

The process of shedding or changing the fur twice each year. The baby or nest fur is molted at two months. The first natural coat of fur is fully developed at 4 to 6 months.

Muzzle

The projecting portion of the head surrounding the mouth, nose, and lower jaw.

Nationals

a national specialty show held by a national specialty club (such as the Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club) and sponsored by a local club. The HLRSC show is in the spring.

Neck

That part of the rabbit connecting the head and body.

Nest Box

A kindling box inside the hutch or cage hole where the kits are born and live for the first 18 to 21 days.

Off-Colored

Applied to several hairs or patches of fur foreign to the standard color of the rabbit.

Open

Shows that are open to exhibitors of all ages.

Open Coat

Fur that is beginning to lose its texture and luster and is almost ready to molt.

Out breeding

A breeding program involving the mating of unrelated rabbits of the same breed.

Pair

A male and a female rabbit.

Palpation

A method of examining by touch used to determine if a doe is pregnant and will bear young.

Patches

Small sections of fur with a color foreign to the standard of the rabbit.

Paunch

The prominent portion of the abdomen of the rabbit.

Peanut

A bunny with two dwarf genes, which is a fatal combination.

Pedigree

A written chart of the male and female ancestors of a rabbit, showing the date of birth and the parents, grandparents, and great grandparents of the rabbit.

Pelage

The fur coat or covering.

Pepper and Salt

A flat, unattractive appearance of black and white ticking.

Phenotype

The appearance of the individual rabbit.

Poor Coat

A term describing fur that is not in good condition through molting, rust, poor grooming, or ill health of the rabbit.

Pre-Junior

an unofficial term for rabbits that are old enough to be weaned but not mature enough to show as a junior.

Processing

The process of killing and preparing a rabbit for market.

Quality Points

HLRSC members earn two quality points for each Best of Breed and Best In Show and one quality point for each Best Opposite Sex and Best Reserve (also Best 4 Class, when available) won in sanctioned shows.

Rabbit

A domesticated lagamorph of the genus Orctolagus Cuniculus.

Rabbitry

A rabbit-raising enterprise or a place where domestic rabbits are kept.

Racy

A term meaning slim, trim, slender in body and legs, hare like, alert, and active.

Registrar

A person who, after taking a test and meeting other eligibility requirements, is certified by ARBA to evaluate rabbits and register them if they meet standards. ARBA sanctioned shows are required to have a registrar available.

Registration

The process of certifying that a rabbit meets the qualifications established by the ARBA for that breed and has a three-generation pedigree (see above). Requires examination by a licensed registrar.

REW

Ruby-eyed white; white bunny with ruby eyes resulting from two REW (cc) genes.

Ribs

The curved portions of the sides immediately back of the shoulders and above the belly.

Rump

The hind portion of the back and bones.

Rust

A reddish-brown coloration of fur, usually appearing on the side, flanks, or feet of rabbits, having the appearance of iron rust and being foreign to the standard color. Rust usually appears in American Blues, Black Havanas, and Lilacs. May be caused by fading through over-exposure to the sunlight, dirty hutches, or dead hair about to molt.

Sanctioned

Shows that abide by ARBA and HLRSC (and perhaps local association) show rules and pay sanction fees are said to be ARBA sanctioned and/or HLRSC sanctioned (and perhaps sanctioned by other clubs as well). Sweepstakes points are accumulated only from sanctioned shows. Only legs earned at ARBA sanctioned shows can be used to earn a Grand Champion certification.

Saddle

The rounded, intermediate portion of the back between the shoulder and loin.

Sandy

The color of sand, as in sand-gray Flemish Giants. Gray with reddish brown cast interspersed with dark guard hairs.

Screw Tail

A tail that is twisted. A corkscrew tail has more than one turn and is a disqualification.

Self or Self-Colored

A fur color pattern where the hair colors are the same on each hair shaft all over the bunny. The pattern that may be modified by the c-series gene (such as in sable point). Black is an example of a self color.

Senior

A show class term referring to rabbits that fulfill the weight requirements of the breed and that are: 6 months of age and older in those breeds having two show classes (Junior and Senior) or 8 months of age and older in those breeds having three show classes (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior).

Service

The mating act of the buck with the doe.

Shadow Bars

Weakness of self-color in the fur of both fore and hind feet, appearing in the form of white or lighter colored bars running across the feet. Acts as a severe cut or penalty in scoring. Occurs more often in the agouti breeds than in selfs.

Shoulder

The uppermost joint of the foreleg, connecting it with the body.

Silvered

A term describing an abundance of silver-white or sliver-tipped guard hairs interspersed through the fur that produces a lustrous silvery appearance.

Six Class Rabbits

Rabbit show category for all breeds having ideal senior weight of 9 pounds and over. There are six show classes for these rabbits: senior bucks, senior does, intermediate bucks, intermediate does, junior bucks and junior does.

Slipping Coat

A coat that is shedding or molting a profusion of hairs.

Slobbers

Excessive salivation creating wet or extremely moist and unsightly fur around the mouth and lower jaw and forelegs.

Smut

A term describing slate grey fur that is foreign to the standard color for the breed. Example: Creme D'Argent.

Snaky

A term describing the slender, narrow body that is typical of the Himalayan.

Snipey

A term describing a narrow and elongated head, with an appearance of undue leanness.

Solid-Colored

The condition of having the same color uniformity over the entire animal, not mixed with any color. Having no markings or shadings.

Sport

A rabbit not true to the characteristic markings of its breed. Examples: English Spots, Rhinelanders, or Checkered Giants lacking white color.

Spraddled Legs

A term describing forefeet bowed outward when viewed from the front. Knock-kneed. Hind feet not set parallel with the body. Turned outward from the hock joint.

Stocky

A term meaning compact, stout, and cobby.

Stops

In the Dutch, the white part of the hind foot extending upward from toes and ending abruptly about one third of the way to the hocks.

Strain

A race or stock of rabbits in any standard breed of the same family blood, having the quality of reproducing marked racial characteristics.

Stringy

The quality of having a ropy or sinewy finish, noticeable in the larger breeds of rabbits if not properly fattened for market.

Sway Back

The condition of having a distinct fall or scoop in that portion of the back between the shoulders and hindquarters, as distinguished from a gradually arching back.

Sweep

An unbroken flow of designated markings. There should be no gaps or congested areas.

Symmetry

A harmonious proportion of head, ears, legs, and body structure conforming to the standard type of the breed represented.

Tail Carriage

The way in which a rabbit carries its tail. A tail being carried to one side or the other has poor tail carriage.

Tattoo

A code punched in the ear as a permanent method of identification.

Texture

The character of fur as determined by feel or touch, such as "fine" or "coarse" texture.

Ticking

A wavy distribution of longer guard hair throughout the fur. Ticking is usually produced by black-tipped guard hairs and adds to the beauty of the fur. Examples: Chinchillas, Flemish Giants, and Belgian Hares.

Tort

Short for tortoiseshell, the most prevalent Holland Lop fur color; when used alone refers to black tortoiseshell rather than blue, chocolate or lilac tortoiseshell.

Trio

One buck and two does.

Tucked Up

The trim appearance of a Belgian Hare, with rounded body and breast and belly gathered in closely to form an arch when the rabbit is sitting.

Type

A term used to denote body conformation of a rabbit or shape of a particular part of a rabbit, as in "head type". The general description of the physical makeup of the rabbit.

Typical

A term describing an ideal representative of any given breed or variety as applied to type, color, or fur quality.

Under Color

The base of the fur shaft. Shaft next to the skin. Not the belly fur of the rabbit.

Uterus

Organ in the doe in which developing kits are contained and nourished before birth. Also called the womb.

Variety

A subdivision of any recognized standard breed, distinct in color of fur from other subdivisions.

Wall Eyes (Moon Eyes)

The condition of having a milky film over the cornea or appearance similar to a moonstone. Colored eyes having an extremely light iris, giving the eye a glazed appearance.

Weaning

The process by which young rabbits become independent of the doe for their nourishment. A young rabbit is weaned when it is between 4 and 8 weeks old, depending on the breeding schedule used and the breed of rabbit.

Wolf Teeth

Protruding or elongated teeth in the upper and lower jaw caused by improper alignment of the upper and lower front teeth preventing normal eating action.

Wool

A term describing the fur of Angora rabbits. The guard hairs and under-fur being 2-1/2 to 5 inches long and resembling fine wool in texture.

Wry Tail

Abnormally bent, curled, or twisted tail. Permanently held to one side. A disqualification for a rabbit.