Breeds to Choose From
This is very important, the very nature and genetic make-up of some rabbits deem them unsuitable for the sport.
The reasons are purely to protect the welfare of the animal.
The following breeds MUST NOT be trained for jumping:
English lop - The
ears of the breed are long, easily damaged, are a trip hazard and could get
caught in the jumps. This breed is also renowned for their delicate spines which
are very easy to damage.
Angora - This breed has a coat that is too long, it
is at risk of entanglement and injury. Additionally having so much fur gives an
increased risk of heat exhaustion. There are also implications with the hair
obstructing the rabbits vision.
Continental giants, Flemish giants, British giants, French lops, and any other large breed exceeding 8lb in weight. - The impact that jumping would have on the joints and bones of these breed compromise
their welfare. There will also be considerable strain on the cardiovascular system and they will overheat rapidly.
The following breeds are commonly used
for jumping and tend to be adaptable:
Polish, Netherland dwarfs, Mini lops,
Dutch, English, Dwarf lops, Belgian hares, Tans and Mixed breeds of the correct
size requirements.
Lionheads are a grey area. The RSPCA guidelines
for showjumping state that long haired breeds shouldn't be used. Having given
this some thought we have settled on a compromise that any double maned or teddy
lionheads MUST be clipped to participate. It is recommended that this is carried
out by a professional that is experienced with rabbits and able to realize signs
of distress.
Please Remember that all bunnys can jump and most crossbreeds are very good at it please check your local Rescue if you are just looking for a pet rather than a specific breed as their are loads to choose from you may even find your desired breed in there to but make sure the rescue is aware that you may want to jump your partner so they can help advise you on a active bunny that may want to exercise with you. This is just a over all opinion from Various owners within the Club to help people narrow down their perfect partner.
The reasons are purely to protect the welfare of the animal.
The following breeds MUST NOT be trained for jumping:
English lop - The
ears of the breed are long, easily damaged, are a trip hazard and could get
caught in the jumps. This breed is also renowned for their delicate spines which
are very easy to damage.
Angora - This breed has a coat that is too long, it
is at risk of entanglement and injury. Additionally having so much fur gives an
increased risk of heat exhaustion. There are also implications with the hair
obstructing the rabbits vision.
Continental giants, Flemish giants, British giants, French lops, and any other large breed exceeding 8lb in weight. - The impact that jumping would have on the joints and bones of these breed compromise
their welfare. There will also be considerable strain on the cardiovascular system and they will overheat rapidly.
The following breeds are commonly used
for jumping and tend to be adaptable:
Polish, Netherland dwarfs, Mini lops,
Dutch, English, Dwarf lops, Belgian hares, Tans and Mixed breeds of the correct
size requirements.
Lionheads are a grey area. The RSPCA guidelines
for showjumping state that long haired breeds shouldn't be used. Having given
this some thought we have settled on a compromise that any double maned or teddy
lionheads MUST be clipped to participate. It is recommended that this is carried
out by a professional that is experienced with rabbits and able to realize signs
of distress.
Please Remember that all bunnys can jump and most crossbreeds are very good at it please check your local Rescue if you are just looking for a pet rather than a specific breed as their are loads to choose from you may even find your desired breed in there to but make sure the rescue is aware that you may want to jump your partner so they can help advise you on a active bunny that may want to exercise with you. This is just a over all opinion from Various owners within the Club to help people narrow down their perfect partner.
Dwarf Lop
The Dwarf Lop is a fair size Bigger than the mini lop but again like the mini is a popular choice for the temperament and size a very docile breed but sometimes alittle to docile that they become cuddle bunnys rather than wanting to exercise, obesity is common in this breed so a careful eye on diet and exercise is emphasised.
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
The Dwarf Lop is a fair size Bigger than the mini lop but again like the mini is a popular choice for the temperament and size a very docile breed but sometimes alittle to docile that they become cuddle bunnys rather than wanting to exercise, obesity is common in this breed so a careful eye on diet and exercise is emphasised.
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
Dutch
The Dutch is a very popular Jumper as they are easy to train and once they have learnt they seem to excel at it, their friendly disposition also makes them a popular choice.
Powerful hind legs and good chest combined with sturdy bones makes them spring into action and their intelligence is high to as they build bonds with their handlers they get to know signals on the course.
Beware Chocolate Dutch as they can be more feisty than the other colours!
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
The Dutch is a very popular Jumper as they are easy to train and once they have learnt they seem to excel at it, their friendly disposition also makes them a popular choice.
Powerful hind legs and good chest combined with sturdy bones makes them spring into action and their intelligence is high to as they build bonds with their handlers they get to know signals on the course.
Beware Chocolate Dutch as they can be more feisty than the other colours!
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
Netherland Dwarf (Nethie)
The Netherland Dwarf is similar in size to the Polish Rabbit but has a lot calmer nature they are popular as pets because of the size and nature. They can make good jumpers but may struggle with hight due to the size of them and they haven't the back legs of a polish but are very trainable and friendly little rabbits.
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
The Netherland Dwarf is similar in size to the Polish Rabbit but has a lot calmer nature they are popular as pets because of the size and nature. They can make good jumpers but may struggle with hight due to the size of them and they haven't the back legs of a polish but are very trainable and friendly little rabbits.
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
Miniature Lop (Mini Lop)
The Mini Lop is one of the most popular found pet rabbits and has a wonderful temperament they can be trained very easily if they have a out going and active personality , although some do you prefer to sit with you and have cuddles rather than exercise but this lovely breed is a pets person pet through and though its very rare to find a nasty tempered one.
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
The Mini Lop is one of the most popular found pet rabbits and has a wonderful temperament they can be trained very easily if they have a out going and active personality , although some do you prefer to sit with you and have cuddles rather than exercise but this lovely breed is a pets person pet through and though its very rare to find a nasty tempered one.
Suitable for Novices to Elite Rabbit Keepers
Tan
The Tan Rabbit is a good jumper and very stunning to boot but its temperament is a hit and miss you can get as many nice ones as you can naughty ones. They are popular in Sweaden to putting into the mix breed jumpers as they are easily trained and can be very fast and firey at it.
Suitable for Advanced and Elite Rabbit Keepers
The Tan Rabbit is a good jumper and very stunning to boot but its temperament is a hit and miss you can get as many nice ones as you can naughty ones. They are popular in Sweaden to putting into the mix breed jumpers as they are easily trained and can be very fast and firey at it.
Suitable for Advanced and Elite Rabbit Keepers
Rex (Standard & Mini)
The Rex in both Standard and Mini are docile and can be good jumpers but as the breed lacks guard hairs (this is why they have the velvet coat) this can cause sore hocks and bare pads on the front/back feet so as their constant pressure on the front/back feet when jumping its not a desired trait for jumping also the breed has a nack for sharp needle like claws which can accidently scratch the handler.
Suitable for Advanced and Elite Rabbit keepers
The Rex in both Standard and Mini are docile and can be good jumpers but as the breed lacks guard hairs (this is why they have the velvet coat) this can cause sore hocks and bare pads on the front/back feet so as their constant pressure on the front/back feet when jumping its not a desired trait for jumping also the breed has a nack for sharp needle like claws which can accidently scratch the handler.
Suitable for Advanced and Elite Rabbit keepers
Belgian Hare
The Belgian Hare (is a rabbit bred to look like a hare)
can be a good jumper
Its temperament can be a hit and miss depending on its breeding.
Their strong back legs and arched back make the fine jumpers but their fine bones mean they could be injured so if choosing a hare try to go for one with slightly heavy bone to compensate. They are Highly Inteligent and will work things out on their own half the time and once learnt do not forget even after a year of not being near a jump they will relised what they are expected to do but beware they also learn how to get out of doing it :).
Suitable for Advanced and Elite Rabbit Owners
The Belgian Hare (is a rabbit bred to look like a hare)
can be a good jumper
Its temperament can be a hit and miss depending on its breeding.
Their strong back legs and arched back make the fine jumpers but their fine bones mean they could be injured so if choosing a hare try to go for one with slightly heavy bone to compensate. They are Highly Inteligent and will work things out on their own half the time and once learnt do not forget even after a year of not being near a jump they will relised what they are expected to do but beware they also learn how to get out of doing it :).
Suitable for Advanced and Elite Rabbit Owners
Polish (Pole)
The Polish are a very small breed and very spritely to boost they are not for Beginners and demand a lot of training as they have the ability to jump really high but lack the patients of direction also they can be very very temperamental in the show world they are known as the bulldogs and can live up to the reputation. The Coloured ones seem to be less highly strung than the Red Eye Whites.
ONLY ADVANCED RABBIT KEEPERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO KEEP THESE.
The Polish are a very small breed and very spritely to boost they are not for Beginners and demand a lot of training as they have the ability to jump really high but lack the patients of direction also they can be very very temperamental in the show world they are known as the bulldogs and can live up to the reputation. The Coloured ones seem to be less highly strung than the Red Eye Whites.
ONLY ADVANCED RABBIT KEEPERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO KEEP THESE.