The most important decision you will ever make in the rabbit hobby is finding the right breeder to purchase a rabbit from. Whether you are looking for a brood rabbit, a 4-H showmanship rabbit, a show rabbit, or just a sweet pet, you will want to find the most reputable, honest person possible with the highest quality stock.
One mistake that 99.9% of prospective buyers make is that their first step is to do a Google search for rabbit breeders near them. The cute website with pictures of adorable bunnies within a convenient driving distance may seem tempting, but you don't have any idea whether this person is an honest, top quality breeder.
The VERY FIRST STEP you should take is to go to the ARBA website (www.arba.net) and look at their list of recognized breeds under the 'About the ARBA' tab. Click on the picture of your breed of interest, and you will be directed to the breed's national club. Feel free to contact the club or any club officials, and see if they have any recommendations of who has the best stock for your needs. Most club officials would be happy to help if you show the initiative and common sense of asking their advice. Follow any leads, and keep in mind that many/most breeders do not have websites.
When you've contacted a few breeders, don't jump at the first one who has something available. When looking for show or brood stock, ask for posed photos, ask to see the pedigree, and ask what the animal has produced before. You want something that is 'proven', meaning, has bred before and had a viable litter. Take your time, and think about the decision. Don't be indecisive though, give it some mature thought, and then inform the breeder of your decision.
Do not buy from anyone sarcastic, aggressive, or rude. There are so many pleasant people out there who have great quality animals, it just isn't worth it to make yourself miserable by dealing with someone nasty. Don't rise to any insults or rudeness, instead, be polite and courteous at all times. Also, do not buy from anyone who seems shifty, such as someone who won't show you pictures of the animals etc..
If you can at all help it, don't buy a rabbit you haven't seen in person. No matter what sort of rabbit you are looking for, you still want to be able to meet it in person and decide if you like it. If the breeder is far away, think very seriously about how badly you want/need a rabbit from that person, and how much you trust them.
Lastly, find a breeder you can establish a good connection with. A good breeder will be happy to mentor you in the rabbit hobby, provided you accept their wisdom and prove your willingness to learn. Always be gracious and friendly, after all, you never know when you will want their help or advice in the future.
Who is a person in the rabbit hobby who you look up to? Tell us below in the comments section!
One mistake that 99.9% of prospective buyers make is that their first step is to do a Google search for rabbit breeders near them. The cute website with pictures of adorable bunnies within a convenient driving distance may seem tempting, but you don't have any idea whether this person is an honest, top quality breeder.
The VERY FIRST STEP you should take is to go to the ARBA website (www.arba.net) and look at their list of recognized breeds under the 'About the ARBA' tab. Click on the picture of your breed of interest, and you will be directed to the breed's national club. Feel free to contact the club or any club officials, and see if they have any recommendations of who has the best stock for your needs. Most club officials would be happy to help if you show the initiative and common sense of asking their advice. Follow any leads, and keep in mind that many/most breeders do not have websites.
When you've contacted a few breeders, don't jump at the first one who has something available. When looking for show or brood stock, ask for posed photos, ask to see the pedigree, and ask what the animal has produced before. You want something that is 'proven', meaning, has bred before and had a viable litter. Take your time, and think about the decision. Don't be indecisive though, give it some mature thought, and then inform the breeder of your decision.
Do not buy from anyone sarcastic, aggressive, or rude. There are so many pleasant people out there who have great quality animals, it just isn't worth it to make yourself miserable by dealing with someone nasty. Don't rise to any insults or rudeness, instead, be polite and courteous at all times. Also, do not buy from anyone who seems shifty, such as someone who won't show you pictures of the animals etc..
If you can at all help it, don't buy a rabbit you haven't seen in person. No matter what sort of rabbit you are looking for, you still want to be able to meet it in person and decide if you like it. If the breeder is far away, think very seriously about how badly you want/need a rabbit from that person, and how much you trust them.
Lastly, find a breeder you can establish a good connection with. A good breeder will be happy to mentor you in the rabbit hobby, provided you accept their wisdom and prove your willingness to learn. Always be gracious and friendly, after all, you never know when you will want their help or advice in the future.
Who is a person in the rabbit hobby who you look up to? Tell us below in the comments section!
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