So you're looking for a new rabbit? Awesome! But unfortunately, there's a chance you could stumble into a bad purchase. Many breeders are kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, and breed for the best reasons. But there are even more who are just out to make quick cash with no intention of improving the rabbits they breed.
Here are some red flags to look out for. Please consider these when shopping for your next rabbit:
1. The breeder is not a member of ARBA or their respective breed club.
Not being an ARBA member (or equivalent registry in other countries) means that the breeder is not breeding for any specific goal or purpose beyond just making more rabbits. Registering with their breed club is also an essential - breed clubs are a wealth of information as well as holding national shows and breeder rankings. However, being a member of ARBA and/or their breed club doesn't automatically make the breeder responsible. There are plenty of bad breeders who register with ARBA. Basically, not being registered with ARBA makes it very likely that they are just backyard breeders.
2. The breeder will not show you pictures of the rabbit upon request.
This is a sign that they've got something to hide. You should never buy any animal sight-unseen without at the very least seeing a picture first. No matter how trustworthy you think the breeder is, you can't just make do with descriptions of the rabbit. You have to see it in person or in a picture before you give the breeder your money.
3. The photos of their rabbits aren't consistent.
This is peak scammer behavior. While the occasional photo with an inconsistent background or photo quality isn't the end of the world, if they are all super different it is entirely possible that the so-called 'breeder' isn't really a breeder at all. Look for breeders who tend to use a similar background and camera for most of their photos.
4. The breeder doesn't ever go to rabbit shows.
A breeder who is proud of their stock and cares about breeding to the Standard of Perfection should take their rabbits out of the barn and compete on occasion. It also could suggest bad sportsmanship.
5. The breeder is not knowledgeable about his or her lines and/or rabbits.
It is impossible to ethically breed quality stock if you don't know anything about their own animals or where they come from. A breeder should be able to talk for hours about their herd and their lines!
6. The breeder does not breed according to the Standard of Perfection.
There is no logical reason why they shouldn't, except if they don't care about the quality of their animals and just want the cash from selling to the pet market.
7. The breeder has a large amount of rabbits with disqualifications.
Unless they are working to improve a difficult color program or marked breed, and have some resultant color disqualifications, this is a sign that they are not working hard and breeding to the Standard of Perfection. Be cautious of breeders with a lot of 'Vienna Marked', or, VM rabbits.
8. The breeder uses "rare colors" and "rare blue eyes" as marketing tools.
Just to be clear, blue eyes are not remotely rare. Every irresponsible backyard breeder has hundreds of rabbits with blue eyes. That is not an accomplishment, nor is it the mark of a good breeder. In fact, it's just the opposite. The only recognized variety to have blue eyes is the Blue-Eyed White. This is unfortunately a variety that irresponsible pet breeders love because it sells for a lot, so in general try and avoid breeders who raise this variety, unless it's extremely obvious that they actively compete with their rabbits and breed to the standard. For the most part, this won't be the case. There are maybe a dozen ethical breeders of Blue-Eyed Whites in the entire country, if that.
Rare color is also not remotely an accomplishment for a breeder to be proud of. It does not mean they are responsible, or breeding for quality animals. Color has zero impact on the structure, genetics, temperament, or health of the animal.
9. The breeder experiences a suspicious amount of accidental breedings.
That's a sign that the breeder is careless and has poor caging and handling practices.
10. The rabbits are dirty, matted, have dirty rear ends, or have a bad odor.
Poor hygiene is a sign of a bad breeder. No ethical breeder would own an unhygienic rabbit. Of course, one poop or a little bit of pee is perfectly normal. Anything more, and you should probably reconsider getting a rabbit from this breeder.
11. The rabbits are aggressive or fearful.
Of course you'll get the occasional bad-tempered brood doe, but that should be a small percentage of the breeder's animals. And there is no excuse for having an aggressive buck. Poor temperaments indicate either bad breeding or inhumane treatment of the animals. Rabbits need routine handling to become calm and well-behaved.
12. The breeder focuses on color more than conformation.
While responsible breeders will select a small number of colors to which they dedicate their barn, the structure of the rabbit is the most important factor a breeder should be striving to improve. Sure, there are some breeds (the Harlequin and English Spot come to mind) for which a specific color pattern is very important in the breed standard, but no one color is inherently "better" than another. Rarity of color is absolutely irrelevant in a show setting. Many breeders do have 'color projects', in which they work to produce superior type in rarer colors. That's great. But when people start breeding solely for color is where we have a problem.
13. The breeder tries to pressure you into a sale.
Take your time! Don't make an impulse purchase and regret it later. This happens all too often at rabbit shows, when the breeder is concerned that you might wander off and buy someone else's rabbit. Of course, be reasonable and understand that the breeder isn't going to reserve a rabbit for you forever while you decide. And don't impose upon their hospitality if you are meeting them elsewhere to choose a bunny. But expect them to give you at least a little while to make up your mind.
14. The breeder advertises on Craigslist.
Most breeders don't want to or need to advertise on Craigslist. Not only is it a sign that they've got rabbits that can't be sold elsewhere, but it can also be a sign of a rabbit mill - sort of like a puppy mill.
15. The breeder offers you a rabbit that is sick.
Run, don't walk, the other way.
16. The breeder offers rabbits for free.
Under normal circumstances, no ethical breeder will offer an animal for free. The reason so many breeders charge high prices for their animals is to ensure that they find their way to responsible owners who can afford to care for the rabbit. Offering rabbits for free means that the breeder has too many rabbits that can't be sold, and wants to offload these unwanted rabbits on you.
17. The breeder avoids answering questions about the rabbit.
Keep in mind that any responsible breeder will be proud of their animals and stand by them. They will be perfectly willing to answer your questions and share all sorts of information on their rabbits. Anyone who is not willing to do this is not a trustworthy person to buy from.
20. The breeder has 'Easter' or 'Christmas' or 'Black Friday' sales.
This is a sign of a business operation/backyard breeder, not a responsible breeder.
21. The breeder lets you bring home a rabbit that is under 8 weeks of age.
Never bring home a rabbit under eight weeks old! Not only is it illegal in most states, but it is also extremely dangerous to the kit, and it is extremely likely that the baby will die within a week of you getting it. The idea of getting a younger kit so it can 'bond' with you is a total myth. In reality it puts extreme stress on the kit, leading to enteritis and death. Any breeder who would even think of selling a rabbit under 8 weeks is more irresponsible than I can express.
22. The breeder breeds rabbits that are not purebred.
Then....what are they breeding for?? Unless the breeder is working seriously to create a new breed or improve type in a rare breed, please don't consider buying from a breeder with rabbits that are not purebred. If you're into the idea of having a mixed-breed, consider buying from a rescue or shelter.
23. The breeder breeds rabbits that are not fully pedigreed.
Same issue as #22. To me, a pedigree is super important in breeds such as Hollands where you'll want to know the colors and lines behind the animals you buy so you know if they're compatible in your breeding program. The practice of keeping pedigrees varies from breed to breed, but in general, most reputable Holland breeders will have some sort of pedigree system for their animals.
That said, if you are purchasing a pet, most ethical breeders will not provide you with a pedigree as they do not want those animals to reproduce.
24. The breeder is aggressive, impatient, or rude.
Please don't subject yourself to a mean breeder. Life's too short to subject yourself to mean people. There are plenty of nice breeders out there (with nice rabbits!) who would be delighted to help you. Seek out one of them instead!
25. The breeder is unwilling to let a judge etc. examine the rabbit with you before sale (if you are buying at a show).
Why? Because they must have something to hide!
Note that I didn't mention a red flag of the breeder being unwilling to let you into their home. This is perfectly acceptable, and many breeders nowadays have a 'closed rabbitry' policy. This means that they do not allow just anyone to come into their rabbitry and visit the rabbits, even if they intend to purchase one. Different breeders have different policies, and it's the buyer's job to respect those policies.
Try and understand where the breeder is coming from. Unfortunately, there are a lot of crazy people out there who steal or injure rabbits. There is also the possibility of undercover PETA or other animal rights extremists who would be all too happy to report what they see as unfit conditions. Which are usually not. There are also people who just want a fun day out visiting a rabbitry with no intention of buying a rabbit.
In addition to that, breeders often have very young rabbits or pregnant does in the nestbox. Disturbing them could mean accidental injury or death of the rabbits involved. It is also hard for a breeder to keep an eye on a whole family and make sure that the kids aren't bothering the rabbits, etc.. In addition to that, it stops buyers from trying to persuade the breeder to let them purchase rabbits that aren't for sale, which can be upsetting to the breeder.
Here are some red flags to look out for. Please consider these when shopping for your next rabbit:
1. The breeder is not a member of ARBA or their respective breed club.
Not being an ARBA member (or equivalent registry in other countries) means that the breeder is not breeding for any specific goal or purpose beyond just making more rabbits. Registering with their breed club is also an essential - breed clubs are a wealth of information as well as holding national shows and breeder rankings. However, being a member of ARBA and/or their breed club doesn't automatically make the breeder responsible. There are plenty of bad breeders who register with ARBA. Basically, not being registered with ARBA makes it very likely that they are just backyard breeders.
2. The breeder will not show you pictures of the rabbit upon request.
This is a sign that they've got something to hide. You should never buy any animal sight-unseen without at the very least seeing a picture first. No matter how trustworthy you think the breeder is, you can't just make do with descriptions of the rabbit. You have to see it in person or in a picture before you give the breeder your money.
3. The photos of their rabbits aren't consistent.
This is peak scammer behavior. While the occasional photo with an inconsistent background or photo quality isn't the end of the world, if they are all super different it is entirely possible that the so-called 'breeder' isn't really a breeder at all. Look for breeders who tend to use a similar background and camera for most of their photos.
4. The breeder doesn't ever go to rabbit shows.
A breeder who is proud of their stock and cares about breeding to the Standard of Perfection should take their rabbits out of the barn and compete on occasion. It also could suggest bad sportsmanship.
5. The breeder is not knowledgeable about his or her lines and/or rabbits.
It is impossible to ethically breed quality stock if you don't know anything about their own animals or where they come from. A breeder should be able to talk for hours about their herd and their lines!
6. The breeder does not breed according to the Standard of Perfection.
There is no logical reason why they shouldn't, except if they don't care about the quality of their animals and just want the cash from selling to the pet market.
7. The breeder has a large amount of rabbits with disqualifications.
Unless they are working to improve a difficult color program or marked breed, and have some resultant color disqualifications, this is a sign that they are not working hard and breeding to the Standard of Perfection. Be cautious of breeders with a lot of 'Vienna Marked', or, VM rabbits.
8. The breeder uses "rare colors" and "rare blue eyes" as marketing tools.
Just to be clear, blue eyes are not remotely rare. Every irresponsible backyard breeder has hundreds of rabbits with blue eyes. That is not an accomplishment, nor is it the mark of a good breeder. In fact, it's just the opposite. The only recognized variety to have blue eyes is the Blue-Eyed White. This is unfortunately a variety that irresponsible pet breeders love because it sells for a lot, so in general try and avoid breeders who raise this variety, unless it's extremely obvious that they actively compete with their rabbits and breed to the standard. For the most part, this won't be the case. There are maybe a dozen ethical breeders of Blue-Eyed Whites in the entire country, if that.
Rare color is also not remotely an accomplishment for a breeder to be proud of. It does not mean they are responsible, or breeding for quality animals. Color has zero impact on the structure, genetics, temperament, or health of the animal.
9. The breeder experiences a suspicious amount of accidental breedings.
That's a sign that the breeder is careless and has poor caging and handling practices.
10. The rabbits are dirty, matted, have dirty rear ends, or have a bad odor.
Poor hygiene is a sign of a bad breeder. No ethical breeder would own an unhygienic rabbit. Of course, one poop or a little bit of pee is perfectly normal. Anything more, and you should probably reconsider getting a rabbit from this breeder.
11. The rabbits are aggressive or fearful.
Of course you'll get the occasional bad-tempered brood doe, but that should be a small percentage of the breeder's animals. And there is no excuse for having an aggressive buck. Poor temperaments indicate either bad breeding or inhumane treatment of the animals. Rabbits need routine handling to become calm and well-behaved.
12. The breeder focuses on color more than conformation.
While responsible breeders will select a small number of colors to which they dedicate their barn, the structure of the rabbit is the most important factor a breeder should be striving to improve. Sure, there are some breeds (the Harlequin and English Spot come to mind) for which a specific color pattern is very important in the breed standard, but no one color is inherently "better" than another. Rarity of color is absolutely irrelevant in a show setting. Many breeders do have 'color projects', in which they work to produce superior type in rarer colors. That's great. But when people start breeding solely for color is where we have a problem.
13. The breeder tries to pressure you into a sale.
Take your time! Don't make an impulse purchase and regret it later. This happens all too often at rabbit shows, when the breeder is concerned that you might wander off and buy someone else's rabbit. Of course, be reasonable and understand that the breeder isn't going to reserve a rabbit for you forever while you decide. And don't impose upon their hospitality if you are meeting them elsewhere to choose a bunny. But expect them to give you at least a little while to make up your mind.
14. The breeder advertises on Craigslist.
Most breeders don't want to or need to advertise on Craigslist. Not only is it a sign that they've got rabbits that can't be sold elsewhere, but it can also be a sign of a rabbit mill - sort of like a puppy mill.
15. The breeder offers you a rabbit that is sick.
Run, don't walk, the other way.
16. The breeder offers rabbits for free.
Under normal circumstances, no ethical breeder will offer an animal for free. The reason so many breeders charge high prices for their animals is to ensure that they find their way to responsible owners who can afford to care for the rabbit. Offering rabbits for free means that the breeder has too many rabbits that can't be sold, and wants to offload these unwanted rabbits on you.
17. The breeder avoids answering questions about the rabbit.
Keep in mind that any responsible breeder will be proud of their animals and stand by them. They will be perfectly willing to answer your questions and share all sorts of information on their rabbits. Anyone who is not willing to do this is not a trustworthy person to buy from.
20. The breeder has 'Easter' or 'Christmas' or 'Black Friday' sales.
This is a sign of a business operation/backyard breeder, not a responsible breeder.
21. The breeder lets you bring home a rabbit that is under 8 weeks of age.
Never bring home a rabbit under eight weeks old! Not only is it illegal in most states, but it is also extremely dangerous to the kit, and it is extremely likely that the baby will die within a week of you getting it. The idea of getting a younger kit so it can 'bond' with you is a total myth. In reality it puts extreme stress on the kit, leading to enteritis and death. Any breeder who would even think of selling a rabbit under 8 weeks is more irresponsible than I can express.
22. The breeder breeds rabbits that are not purebred.
Then....what are they breeding for?? Unless the breeder is working seriously to create a new breed or improve type in a rare breed, please don't consider buying from a breeder with rabbits that are not purebred. If you're into the idea of having a mixed-breed, consider buying from a rescue or shelter.
23. The breeder breeds rabbits that are not fully pedigreed.
Same issue as #22. To me, a pedigree is super important in breeds such as Hollands where you'll want to know the colors and lines behind the animals you buy so you know if they're compatible in your breeding program. The practice of keeping pedigrees varies from breed to breed, but in general, most reputable Holland breeders will have some sort of pedigree system for their animals.
That said, if you are purchasing a pet, most ethical breeders will not provide you with a pedigree as they do not want those animals to reproduce.
24. The breeder is aggressive, impatient, or rude.
Please don't subject yourself to a mean breeder. Life's too short to subject yourself to mean people. There are plenty of nice breeders out there (with nice rabbits!) who would be delighted to help you. Seek out one of them instead!
25. The breeder is unwilling to let a judge etc. examine the rabbit with you before sale (if you are buying at a show).
Why? Because they must have something to hide!
Note that I didn't mention a red flag of the breeder being unwilling to let you into their home. This is perfectly acceptable, and many breeders nowadays have a 'closed rabbitry' policy. This means that they do not allow just anyone to come into their rabbitry and visit the rabbits, even if they intend to purchase one. Different breeders have different policies, and it's the buyer's job to respect those policies.
Try and understand where the breeder is coming from. Unfortunately, there are a lot of crazy people out there who steal or injure rabbits. There is also the possibility of undercover PETA or other animal rights extremists who would be all too happy to report what they see as unfit conditions. Which are usually not. There are also people who just want a fun day out visiting a rabbitry with no intention of buying a rabbit.
In addition to that, breeders often have very young rabbits or pregnant does in the nestbox. Disturbing them could mean accidental injury or death of the rabbits involved. It is also hard for a breeder to keep an eye on a whole family and make sure that the kids aren't bothering the rabbits, etc.. In addition to that, it stops buyers from trying to persuade the breeder to let them purchase rabbits that aren't for sale, which can be upsetting to the breeder.