New Zealands

Question
I recently bought a few New Zealand rabbits.  Most are white with pink eyes, but I have two that are white with black eyes.  Can a New Zealand have black eyes? Can a white rabbit with black eyes be put in a show? The rabbits I bought aren't registred, I just bought them from a guy that was selling his rabbits.  They are all so cute, but I do plan to breed them, so I wanted to know if I should breed the ones with black eyes.  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hello,

Great questions! New Zealands come in three varieties (colors): white, black and red. New Zealand whites must have pink eyes, no exceptions.

If your rabbit does not have pink eyes, it is not a New Zealand and is not showable or breedable (unless for meat production only). He is likely a mix or another breed, either way he must be a three generation full blooded New Zealand to be considered one. Genetically speaking, he cannot be one.

If you put those rabbits with black eyes in the show, they will be disqualified. If you breed them, you will be breeding non-New Zealands.

Also, pedigrees are a must. If you are wanting to breed, you must have three generation pedigrees on each and every animal. Without pedigrees, there is no way you can prove the rabbits you have are in fact New Zealands, even if they resemble the breed. Even with pink eyes they could easily be mixed. Registration is different. You can breed rabbits that are not registered. Registration is desirable, but not necessary.

Here is an article on the difference between pedigrees and registration: http://www.showbunny.com/pedigree.html#PedvsReg

That being said, if you do not already have pedigrees from the breeder, you need to get them. If he does not have them, you need to start over with pedigreed stock (and preferably high quality). Without the pedigrees the animals are useless for show and breeding. You will also not be able to easily sell unpedigreed stock. I cannot stress how important pedigrees are.

Since I raise New Zealands, you might find my rabbit website interesting as well: http://www.blueribbonrabbitry.com

Also, I highly recommend visiting this website: http://www.newzealandrabbitclub.com/

That is the national New Zealand club. I also recommend joining as you will get a valuable guidebook and newsletter with membership (which is small and affordable).

I also recommend visiting the American Rabbit Breeders Association website: http://www.arba.net

That website has dates for upcoming shows. If you hurry and join before July 1st, you will beat the raise in membership prices from $12-20 annually, I believe. I recommend this membership most of all as you get an amazing magazine - Domestic Rabbits - as well as a guidebook. Also, you must be an ARBA member to get rabbis registered.

Good luck with your rabbits and let me know if you have any more questions!