Rabbit Glossary of Terms
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Abortion: A birth which occurs before the gestation period has ended Abscess: Pus forming at a point of infection causing swelling; also see "4-H rabbit Diseases" Adult: (see senior) Agouti: A color group showing hair shafts having 3 to5 bands or rings of color seen when you blow in the coat. Color group includes amber, chestnut agouti, opal, lynx, and the chinchillas Albino: A white rabbit with ruby (pink) eyes also known as a REW Angora: A breed of rabbit having a coat wool Anterior Presentation: Normal birth, front feet and head presented first A.O.V.: Any other variety; a color group in some breeds that can include a random variety or varieties from a color group that is not otherwise shown Apple Head: (see bull dog head) A.R.B.A.: The American Rabbit Breeders Association Arch: The gentle curvature of the spine, extending from the neck or shoulders to the rear of the rabbit. Awn Fluff: The soft, crimped, intermediate wool fibers ending with a straight tip on Giant Angoras Awn Hair: The strong, straight, guard hair protruding above the undercoat or fleece in Giant Angoras B Back: The top portion of the rabbit's shoulders, loin, and hindquarters Balance: (1) referring to type, an orderly and pleasing arrangements of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance. (2) referring to markings, an equal distribution of corresponding markings on marked breeds Band: An unbroken vertical circle of marking color around the body of the Harlequin Banding: A hair shaft having various colors (see agouti) Bangs: The longer wool appearing at the front base of the ears and at the top of the head on some wool breeds Bar: A semi circle of marking color running vertically on the sides of the Harlequin breed Barred: (1) Elongated spots which should be round, found on the side markings or cheek spots on English Spots or Rhinelanders. (2) Light colored streaks or bars on the front feet or hocks Base Color: The color next to the skin Bell Ears: Ears that have a large tip found on lop breeds Belly: The abdomen Belly Color: The color on the underside of the rabbit that is usually lighter than the color over the top of the rabbit especially on shaded varieties BEW: Referring to a white rabbit with blue eyes; Blue Eyed White B.I.S.: Best in show Blaze: The white head marking on Dutch rabbits that covers the nose and whisker bed and up to the ears Blemish: Any defect or fault that distracts from the appearance of the animal (a severe fault) Bloat: (see enteritis) Bloom: The finish of a coat in good condition B.O.B.: Best of breed Bob Tail: A tail that is shorter than normal usually caused by a bite during kindling. Body Marking: The center portion of the side marking or sweep on the English Spot that connects the chain and hip markings to form the sweep B.O.G.: Best of group Boil: (see abscess) Bone: Usually referring to the size of the bone on a rabbit Boots: The colored markings on the feet of Himalayan marked breeds and varieties B.O.S.: Best opposite sex (of breed) B.O.S.G. Best opposite sex of group B.O.S.V.: Best opposite sex of variety Bowed Legs: Fore legs or hind legs that are bent like a bow curving inwardly or outwardly B.O.V.: Best of variety Breeder: Anyone who raises rabbits; a rabbit used primarily for breeding Breeding certificate: A stud bucks pedigree minus the last leg (generation), it also has the date that the doe was bred, and the date she is due, this is given to the owner of the doe that was bred Breeding Pair: A buck and doe of the same breed which are ment to be bred together Breeding Trio: Three rabbits of the same breed consisting of 1 buck, and 2 does that are meant to be bred to the buck Brindling: (1) An intermixture of 2 colors, usually black or blue with white (2) The longer tipped guard hairs carried up the sides of Tans Broken Coat: Fur with guard hairs that are missing or broken, or areas having been affected by molting which exposes the undercoat Broken Pattern: Any color of rabbit in conjunction with white Broken ear: A distinct break in the cartilage of the ear which prevents erect ear carriage Broken Tail: A tail that is, or hes been broken and is out of line Buck: A male rabbit Buck Teeth: (see malocclusion) Bull Dog Head: A short, bold, broad head, with a definite masculine appearance Butterfly: A nose marking on some marked breeds and broken varieties Butting Teeth: A form of malocclusion where the teeth meet evenly, without the top overlapping the bottom C Caked Breasts: Engorgement of a doe's mammary gland and teat with an abundant milk supply; also see "4-H rabbit Diseases" Cap: The marking line where lower ear color stops and joins the head color on Checkered Giants Carcass Weight: The weight of the rabbit after it has been killed and dressed with the head, hide, feet, and intestines removed. The heart, liver, and kidneys are part of the carcass Carcass Yield (dressing percentage): Dressing percent; obtained by dividing the weight of the dressed carcass by the weight of the live animal Carriage: (1) The manner in which a rabbit carries itself, the characteristic pose of a rabbit (2) The way a rabbit carries its ears Cataract: (see walleye) Cecum: The gut at the start of the large intestine Chain: Part of the side marking or sweep on an English Spot that starts at the nape of the neck and runs over the shoulder to the body marking Charlie: An extremely lightly marked broken or marked breed, usually having colored ears and eye circles, sometimes having a nose mark, may have little or no markings over the back and sides, caused by double broken genes, a charlie cannot have solid offspring Cecotrophy: (see Coprophagy) Cheek Spot: A single round spot of color on marked breeds, it should center on the whisker below the eye Cheeks: (1) The sides of the face, below the eyes (2) The rounded 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 fore legs and neck Chopped: A condition of body type in which there is an abrupt and sharp vertical fall from the top of the hip to the tail Classification: A system of arranging the judging within different breeds Clean: A term used on French Angora, Satin Angora, Jersey Wooly, and Fuzzy Lop head, ears, feet, and legs, denoting the presence of normal fur (absence of wool) in those places; A marking term denoting well formed markings without congestion or drags Coat: A rabbit's fur Cobby or Stocky: A short and stocky body type which is close, coupled, and very compact Coccida: Protozoan organisms which in rabbits infect the cells living in the digestive tract Coccidiosis: A disease affecting the digestive system of many animals, rabbits carry 2 types of coccida, one affecting the liver, and one affecting the intestines; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Collar: (1) The area surrounding the neck (2) The marking connecting the triangle and the chest on a Tan Color Drag: intrusion(s) of color markings into a white marking area on marked breeds and varieties Color Group: Varieties with similar genetics and/or characteristics that have been grouped together; see "4-H Breed Review" Compatible: In eye color, normal color that complements or matches the body color Commercial Type: A body type that is medium in length, with depth equaling the width, showing roundness of body and firmness of flesh. This body type is considered to be the ideal meat type Compact Type: A body type that is basically a smaller version of the commercial typed rabbit and are generally posed in the same way Condition: The overall physical state of a rabbit in relation to health, cleanliness, fur, and grooming Conjunctivitis: see weepy eye Coprophagy: The normal practice of the animal eating some of the night droppings Cottony: A very fine, soft textured fur or wool that lacks guard hair Cow Hocks: Hind legs that turn inward at the hock, causing the toes to turn outward from the body Crimp: The natural waviness of the fiber in a wool undercoat Cross Breeding: Breeding animals form different breeds Crown: A strong basal ridge of cartilage at the top of the head, forming the ear base on most lop breeds Crown Spots: (see pea spots) Culling: To select the least desirable rabbits, and remove them from the herd Cylindrical Type: A body type that is long, slim, and cylindrical with fine bone and a long slender head; this type is unique to the Himalayan D Dam: A mother rabbit Dead Hairs: Fur that lacks life, from molting or a dead coat Dead Tail: A tail that is hard and brittle due to the loss of circulation (not a DQ unless it's broken and out of place) Definition: (1) The sharpness and clarity of a color break on a hair shaft as in the ring color in agouti fur (2) Used to describe color contrasts Density: The quality of a thick coat of fur Depth: (1) Measurement form the top line of the body to the lowest portion of the body (2) Also used to describe the extension of color down the hair shaft Developing Period: The time from weaning until starting in production Deviated Spine: Vertebrae of the neck/spine where the normal alignment is replaced by deformed or misaligned vertebrae Deviated Sternum: A condition in which the connecting tissue of the ribs and/or breastbone have fused together forming an irregular sternum. Usually 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 rabbit Dewclaw: An extra toe or "thumb" on the front feet Dewlap: Pendulous fold of skin under a rabbit's chin, occurring on does and sometimes on larger bucks, normal for most breeds, not a disease condition Disqualification From Competition (DQ): One or more defects, blemishes, and/or deformities that render a rabbit ineligible for competition or registration; some disqualifications may be temporary such as an abscess Doe: A female rabbit Dominate: The controlling characteristic (gene) of one parent (normal coat, eye color, etc.) that when passed to the offspring covers up a recessive characteristic (gene) Double Cheek Spot: Two cheek spots on the same cheek on a disqualification on the Checkered Giant, English Spot, and Rhinelander Drag: (see color drag) Dressing Percent: (see carcass yield) Dwarf: the smallest breeds of rabbit, weighing at or under 3 pounds at maturity E Ear Base: The bottom of the ear, where they meet the head Ear Canker: Scabby, crusty ears on the inside, caused by ear mites Ear Carriage: The holding or carriage displayed by a rabbit's ears when it's in a relaxed, normal pose Ear Lacing: A black or dark colored line of fur that outlines the sides and tips of the ears on agoutis and can be found on wide band varieties Ear Mark: (1) The ear color on Checkered Giants, English Spot, and Rhinelander, and also on broken patterned animals (2) (see tattoo) Enteritis: A condition causing loss of appetite, dehydration, listlessness, jelly like substance found in droppings, etc. 2 forms of enteritis are known as water bottle syndrome and bloat. Most commonly found in young rabbits; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Estrus Cycle: A recurring 14 to 16 day cycle when a doe is more apt to conceive, usually 2 days infertile, the following 10 to 12 days fertile and 2 days infertile at the end end of the cycle Extension: (1) The length of leg and limb (2) Depth of color carried down a hair shaft Eye Band: The color around the eye on Dwarf Hotots and Blanc de Hotots Eye Circle: (see eye ring) Eye Ring: A circle of color around the eye on a broken variety of rabbit and on some marked breeds Eye Stain: Streaks of color or an eye ring around the eyes of Himalayan marked breeds and varieties F Faking: Any dying, plucking, or clipping so as to alter the appearance of the rabbit, (includes coloring toenails, powdering and indiscriminate use of grooming designed to alter the natural condition of the rabbit) False Dwarf: A dwarf breed that does not carry a dwarf gene; an over-weight Netherland Dwarf may be a false dwarf (also see peanut) False Pregnancy: A condition in which a doe thinks that she is pregnant and builds a nest, can occur if the doe is near a buck, has been with a buck recently, or was bred and didn't take Fancier: A breeder of rabbits who primarily raises them as a hobby and past-time Fault: Imperfection for a particular breed or variety (also see blemish) Feather: A small colored drag off the top of the eye circle usually on the Checkered Giant, English Spot, and Rhinelander breeds Feathering: Any drag in the coloration on a Dwarf Hotot eye band Felting: Wool fibers that have become interwoven during natural growth Fiber: The individual hair that combines with others to compose a coat Fine Coat: A coat of fur that is too fine in texture, lacking body. Guard hairs are weak and thin in structure. Lacking the proper amount of guard hairs Finish: The preferred condition of the coat, fully prime in coat, color, and flesh Flabby: The condition of a rabbit where the skin hangs loosely by its own weight, not trim, shapely, or firm of flesh Flange: The thin outer portion of the back side of the ear Flank: The sides of the rabbit between the ribs and hips, above the belly Flat Coat: Fur lying too close to the body. Lacks spring or body as noted by touch, usually a fine coat coupled with 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 Fleece: The wool covering angora rabbits, including all growth fibers Flyback: A coat of normal fur that flies back to its smooth normal position when stroked from the hindquarters to the forequarters Follicles: (1) The roots of the fur in the skin. (2) Small enlargements on the surface of the ovary that contain egg cells Foreign Color: Any color of fur, nails, or eyes that differ from the standard of a breed or variety Forequaters: The portion of the body that starts at the neck and ends with the last rib Fostering: Transferring the young form one mother to another, practiced when a litter is too large, a mother dies, or other complications Free Feeding: Giving a rabbit all it will eat Freckle: A foreign colored pigment on the skin in the nose and mouth area, a disqualification in some breeds Fringes: The wool appearing on the ears, bangs, and the head side trimmings on some wool breeds Fryer: A young meat rabbit at or under 10 weeks of age weighing 3 to 5 pounds Full Arch Type: A body type that shows an arch starting at the nape of the neck, running over the shoulders, mid-section, loin, and hips to the juncture of the tail. Rabbits with this body type are usually ran on the table to show their type Full Feeding: (see free feeding) Fur Mites: A skin condition caused by parasitic mites, usually found first on neck and shoulder area and/or rump and tail area; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Furnishings: The tassels, fringes on the ears, bangs, and head side trimmings on some wool breeds Furrier: A person who dresses fur or makes and sells fur garments and/or other fur products G Genotype: The genetic, inherited characteristics and potential of a rabbit Gestation Period: The period of time from mating to kindling of a doe (usually 31 days) Glossy: The reflection, luster, or brightness from a naturally healthy coat of fur Graduation: The increase in size of the spots on the side pattern on the English Spot Grooming: Removing foreign materials or loose fur from the coat of a rabbit by hand or brush Group: A broader classification than variety, usually applied to color pattern groupings Guard Hair: The usually longer, coarser projecting hair which protects the undercoat H Hairline: The narrow white line running between the ears connecting the blaze to the neck marking on a Dutch Head Markings: The butterfly, eye rings, cheek spots, and ear markings on Checkered Giant, English Spot, Rhinelander breeds and on broken patterned varieties Heat Period: (see estrous cycle) Hernia: (see rupture) Herringbone: The colored spine marking on the English Spot having serrated edge Hind Leg: Consists of the hock, stifle ("knee"), and hip joint Hindquarters: The rear portion or section of the body from the last rib to the rump Hock: The "ankle" joint in the rabbit's hind foot Hog Fat: A rabbit that is obviously over-fat and out of proportion for the true type of the breed Humpback: A hump or protrusion on the back that mars the rabbit's appearance Hutch Burn: (see vent disease) Hutch Stain: A stain on the coat usually caused by a dirty cage, rust on floor wire, or urine Hybrid: The offspring of parents of different breeds Hydrocephalus (water on the brain): A condition in newborn kits, top of skull raised, resembles a large welt. Ventricles of brain enlarged, filled with excess fluid, caused by a vitamin deficiency. Kits born with this condition should be immediately culled from the litter I Impaction: Blockage or lodgement of undigested food in the digestive tract Inbreeding: The mating of closely related rabbits such as father to daughter Inter Se Mating: Brother sister mating Intermediate or 6/8: Rabbit that is at least 6 months of age and under 8 months of age in 6 class breeds J Junior: A rabbit under six months of age K Ketosis: A disease affecting does near kindling time, caused by complications from does being over-fat Kindling: Giving birth to young Kit: A baby rabbit Kitling: (see kit) Knock-kneed: Bones on the forelegs that turn inward from the middle |
L Lactate: To nurse, to produce milk Lap Spots: Usually darker belly color in the area of the groin Leg Band: A small metal ring on the hind leg, used for identification in some countries Line Breeding: Breeding rabbits that have common ancestry, but not as close as inbreeding Litter: 2 or more kits that have been kindled by the same doe from the same mating Loin: The portion of the back on either side of the spine above the hips and saddle area Loose Coat: Fur not set tightly in the skin, slipping and breaking out, beginning a molt Lopped Ears: Pendulous or belled ears that fall rather than stand upright Luster: Brightness and brilliance of fur M Malocclusion: When the teeth do not meet wear as they normally should, also known as buck teeth and wolf teeth; also see "4-H rabbit Diseases" Mandolin: Having the appearance of a mandolin laid face down, the desired type on semi arch breeds Mange: (see fur mites) Marbling: Mottled eye color Marked Breed: A breed of rabbit that has a specified coloration and/or markings, includes the Blanc de Hotot, Californian, Checkered Giant, Dutch, Dwarf Hotot, English Spot, Harlequin, Himalayan, Rhinelander, & Tan Marked Variety: A color or pattern in a breed that has specific a color or pattern standard, includes Californian (cal), broken/tri color, otter, etc. Mask: Nose and muzzle color which extends further up the face than a butterfly marking Mastitis: An inflammation of the mammary glands; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Matted: Tangled wool, knots Max Factor: A genetic defect usually found in the Netherland Dwarf Mealy: Off colored stray hairs in a colored pattern, giving the appearance of being sprinkled with meal Meat Pen: A pen of three fryers that are to be as identical as possible and have good meat qualities Meaty: A noticeably well proportioned meatiness of the forequarters, back, loin, and hindquarters Metritis: A condition caused by the infection or inflammation of the uterus usually caused by mating with a buck that has been affected with orchitis; also see "4-H rabbit Diseases" Mid Section: The portion of the body starting with the 6th rib, back to the rear legs Milk Line: The white band on the belly of kits that have just been nursed Miss: Not conceiving, a doe that didn't take when mated Molt: Shedding a coat Moon Eye: (see wall eye) Molted, Mottling, or Marbled: (1) A pattern of eye color exhibiting streaks of differing color or shading. (2) The blotching or streaking of coloration on the fur Mutation: A sudden change of a physical characteristic, caused by an alteration of the organization of a gene, such as that which occurred on Rex and Satin fur structures Muzzle: The lower part of the face and nose on a rabbit N Neck: The part of the rabbit connecting the head to the body; A wedge shaped marking that is a portion of the collar, behind the ears on Duch Nest Box: A box in which a doe will build her nest and raise her litter Nest Box Eye: Weepy eye found in young kits caused by a dirty nest box; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Nick: A mating producing superior offspring. A rabbit that is better than the parents Night Feces: Cecotropes. May be consumed at any time of day Normal Fur: The fur type that is found on most breeds of rabbit, this fur type breaks up into 3 smaller groups: Flyback, Rollback, and Standing Nosefork: the center portion of the butterfly that extends above the wings resembling the body of a butterfly. O Off Colored: (see foreign color) Open Coat: A coat lacking the ability to return to its natural position when stroked from the rump to the head Open Does: Female rabbits of breeding age which have not currently been bred. Orchitis: Inflammation or infection of the testicles of a male rabbit. Caused by a puss forming bacteria, extremely contagious and treatable only by neutering. Also see metritis; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Outcrossing: (see outbreeding) Outbreeding: The breeding of unrelated animals of the same breed Ovaries: The reproductive organs of the doe which are used for producing eggs P Packed: Wool that becomes compacted or felted Palpate: Feeling for kits in the uterus through the abdominal wall. A test breeders use to determine pregnancy Papiloma: Wrinkled, horny growths, usually on ears. An infection of the wild rabbit, transmitted to domestic rabbits by an insect bite. Not fatal, can't be transmitted to other rabbits, no known treatment Parity: The number of litters to which a doe has given birth Parturition: (see kindling) Patch: A small portion of fur Pass: (see miss) Paunch: The prominent portion of the abdomen Pea Spots: Two spots of marking color at the inside of the ears in Tan patterned breeds and varieties Peanut: A dwarf breed that has 2 dwarf genes; most peanuts die within 3 days of age (also see false dwarf) Pedigree: A record of ancestors showing at least 3 generations Peg Teeth: Two small teeth behind the longer front top teeth Pegged Teeth: (see butting teeth) Pelt: The hide of an animal after it has been removed Pencil Line: A protrusion of fur across the throat under the chin Phenotype: The physical appearance of the rabbit Pigeon Breast: A narrow chest with a protruding "V" shaped bone, a disqualification for some breeds Pinched Hindquarters: Hindquarters that taper towards the tail, giving a pinched appearance Plush: Dense, fine hair with a very soft feel; referring to Rex fur Pneumonia: A condition usually caused by poor ventilation where the rabbit is kept causing labored breathing and nasal discharge; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Pointed: A type or group of color having a white coat with colored ears, feet, legs, tail, and nose, Himalayan or Californian marked Points: (1) The dark color on the feet, ears, tail, nose, and forelegs on Californian and Himalayan marked breeds and varieties (2) The darker color on the feet, ears, tail, nose, and forelegs on shaded varieties Poor Coat: Fur that is not in good condition due to molt, stain, illness, or general poor quality due to genetic factors Posing: Setting the rabbit in its correct position showing the animal's type qualities. Most breeds pose with their feet flat on the table with the back toes lining up with the hips and the front toes lining up with the eyes Pot Belly: (See enteritis) Pre-Junior: A rabbit under 3 months of age. Not showable unless the breed's showroom classes specifically allows pre-juniors Prepotency: An exceptional capacity to transmit certain characteristics to offspring Prime or Prime Coat: A rabbit that exhibits ideal condition of flesh and coat. A coat at its best Prime Line: A line of fur that develops down the middle of the back and rump, showing a finished coat condition Pseudopregnancy: (see false pregnancy) Purulent Discharge: A discharge of white pus, emanating from the nose of a rabbit. A disqualification Q Quarantine: The attempt to reduce the spread of disease by isolating an infected or new animal from the rest of the herd R Rabbitry: A place where domestic rabbits are kept Racy: Slim, trim, alert, and hare like in appearance. Long and slender in body and limbs Random Mating: No definite mating system in mind. Breeding without regard to ancestry, type, fur, etc. Ration or Feed Ration: The amount of feed given to a rabbit usually 1 to 1 1/2 ounces per pound each day Recessive: A characteristic which when passed on from parent to offspring is covered up by a dominate characteristic Registration: The official recording of a rabbit's pedigree along with a complete examination by an A.R.B.A. registrar of the type, condition, and health of the rabbit Restrained Mating: Forced mating in which a person holds the doe Retarded Wool Growth: Found in certain angora rabbits. An area that on the body where the wool doesn't grow at the normal rate REW: Referring to a white rabbit with ruby colored eyes (albino); Ruby Eyed White Rex Fur: A fur type found Rex and Mini Rex rabbits, this fur type is extremely short and dense Ribs: The curved portions of the sides, immediately back and under the shoulders Ring Color: The color of the intermediate portion of a hair shaft in agouti colored rabbits Roaster: A meat rabbit between 10 weeks and 6 months of age Rollback: A coat of normal fur that rolls back into place when stroked from the hindquarters to the shoulders (note: the fur returns slower on rollback coats than on flyback coats) Roman Nose: A nose that has a bridge witch is so comparatively high as to form a slight convex line from the forehead to nose tip Rump: The hinder portion of the back and backbone Run: An intrusion of white color into a colored marking area on a marked breed or variety Rupture: A protrusion of an organ through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity which is normally enclosed forming a hard lump Rust: A reddish-brown coloration of fur, usually appearing on the sides, flanks, or feet of a rabbit. May be caused by exposure to sunlight, an old coat, dirty hutches, etc. S Saddle: (1) The lower portion of the back near the shoulders on semi arched breeds. (2) The point where the white fur ceases and the colored fur begins on the upper part of the body on the Dutch Salt and Pepper: A flat appearance of black and white ticking, as found on Chinchilla colored rabbits, caused by a lack of contrast and desired waviness in the ticking. This is due to a weakness of color on the tips of the guard hairs. Satin Fur: A fur type having hallow hair shafts giving it a sheen over the coat; this fur type is unique to Satins and Mini Satins Screw Tail: An abnormally bent, curled, twisted, or corkscrewed tail Self or Self Colored: Solid colored, the same color over the entire body. Color group includes black, chocolate white, blue, and lilac Semi-Arch Type: A body type having a very good arch starting at the back of the shoulders and carrying through to the base of the tail; this type is also referred to as mandolin type Senior: A 4 class rabbit that is 6 months of age or older or a 6 class rabbit that is 8 months of age or older Shaded: Shaded pattern is to show a gradual and discernible transition of a basic color, usually from dark to light. Darker color is usually on the back, head, ears, tail, feet, and legs, then shades to a lighter color on the sides and belly. Color group includes sable, seal, tortoise, etc. Shadow Bars: Weakness of color in the fur on either front or hind feet appearing in the form of light colored bars running across the feet and legs Sheen: The shine on the coat of Satin fur; the result of hollow hair shafts Side Demarcation: The distinct, even line separating the body color from the tan color on a Tan Side Marking: The spots or group of spots on the sides of Checkered Giants, English Spots, and Rhinelanders Side Trimmings: Wool on the side of the head and face on some wool breeds Silvering: Appearance of silvery sheen or luster, silver tipped guard hairs interspersed through the fur as found on Silver Fox Simple Malocclusion: (see butting teeth) Sire: A farther rabbit 6/8: (see intermediate) Slipped Crown: The crown being too far forward or too far back on the head of some lop breeds causing poor ear carriage Slipping Coat: A coat of fur that is molting or shedding Slobbers: Drooling that is usually caused by an impacted tooth or improper feeding; also see"4-H rabbit Diseases" Smut: (1) Any spot found on a white coat including on the white portion of Himalayan marked breeds and varieties. (2) The nose marking on Himalayan breeds and varieties also known as nose smut. (3) An undesirable dark top color on wide band varieties giving a sooty or dusty appearance Snipey: An elongated, narrow head, usually terminating in a pinched muzzle Snuffles: Respiratory disease marked by nasal discharge, constant sneezing and congestion; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Solid: A solid color; not a broken Sore Hocks: Sore foot pads on either the front or hind feet; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Splayed Legs: A condition where the rabbit can't hold the front or back legs under the body, the legs spread out from the body Specialty Club: A club that specializes in matters concerning 1 or 2 breeds of rabbit Spine Marking: The stripe of color beginning at the base of the neck and running down to the tail on Checkered Giants, English Spots, and Rhinelanders Split Penis: A disqualification from competition where the opening extends more than 1/2 way down the shaft from the tip toward the base. May resemble a doe Sport: A rabbit that is a variety that does not represent the breed such as a solid (or harlequin) Rhinelander Spraddled Legged: (see splayed legs) Standing Fur: A coat of normal fur that when stroked from the rump to the shoulders remains upright rather than moving back into place; found only on Silver Fox Staple: (see staple length) Staple Length: The length of Angora wool Stewer: A meat rabbit that is over 6 months of age Stifle: The knee joint Stop: The marking on each hock on the Dutch Strain: A genetically related bloodline possessing distinguishing characteristics such as type, coat, or color, and the ability to pass it to the offspring Stray Spot: Any marking spot in an area that should be devoid of markings Surface Color: The top color of the fur Sweep: The entire side marking on the English Spot consisting of the chain, body, and hip markings T Tail Carriage: The natural positioning of the tail Tan Pattern: A color group that can have a near agouti appearance, having a tan, white, or cream colored belly, chest, flanks, inside of legs, underside of tail, eye circles, nostrils, inside of ears, and triangle and any excepted variety over the rest of the body. Color group includes otters, silver martins, and tans Tassels: The longer wool on the ears of some wool breeds Tattoo: A permanent marking placed in the left ear for identification Test Mating: Returning a doe to the buck after mating, if she does not accept she may be pregnant Texture: The surface and feel of the fur Ticked: A coat of any excepted variety having ticking throughout the coat, ticking can be either gold or silver tiped. Color group includes silver fox and steels Ticking: Longer guard hairs throughout the coat of a color distinct from the underwool or body fur Tint: A slight dusting of one color over another color; a variation in the intensity of color Top Color: The surface color of the coat Topline: The profile of the shoulders, back, and hindquarters, when viewed from the side Triangle: The triangle shaped marking on the back of the neck on agouti and tan patterned varieties Trimmings: The wool on the ears and cheeks on wool breeds Tucked up: (1) A trim appearance with the flank and belly gathered closely to form an arch when the animal is in a sitting position. (2) A posing failure caused by pushing the hindquarters too far forward Tufts: Wool and guard hair on the tips of the ears that is not so long or heavy to be considered furnishings Type: The body conformation V Variety: The color of a rabbit's coat Vent Disease: A venereal disease in rabbits that affects both sexes, symptoms include scabby, reddened male and female organs, usually pus producing; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" W Wall Eye: An eye that is whitish on the surface of the eye; having a milky film over the eye causing blindness. A DQ from competition Warrens: Outside pens in which groups or colonies of rabbits may be kept Weaning: To separate the young from the doe; ending the nursing and lactating period Weanling: A newly weaned rabbit regardless of future use Weeping Eye: (see weepy eye) Weepy Eye: An abnormal discharge from the eye that may result in severe matting in the area blow the eye or the absence of fur below the eye; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Webbed: Angora wool fibers that are in the beginning of felting or matting. A loose tangling of fibers that can usually be removed by grooming Wide Band: A color group in which rabbits show the same coloration over the body, head, ears, tail, and feet. They may show lighter coloration on the eye circles, inside of ears, underside of tail, jowls, and belly area Wolf Teeth: A form of malocclusion having protruding or elongated teeth in either the upper or lower jaw Wool or Angora Fur: The fur type found on Angora breeds, Jersey Woolies, and American Fuzzy Lops; long hair that grows continually Wool Block: Same as fur block or hairball but caused by wool instead of fur Wool Cap: The short, dense wool protruding from the base of the ears forward Wooly: A recessive characteristic transmitted to offspring giving them angora wool. Not desireable on normal furred breeds Wry Neck: Carriage of the head to one side at an angular plane instead of the normal carriage in a vertical plane, usually caused by an inner ear infection; also see "4-H Rabbit Diseases" Wry Tail: (see screw tail) X Xanthophyll: A yellow compound found in plants, conducive to the development of yellow fat in susceptible animals Y Yellow Fat: Body fat that is yellow in color; not harmful yet undesirable from a sales standpoint |