Dwarf Angora In Holland

Betty reports,

'Here are three photos of Dward Angora in Holland. I received a message with these hotos from Bilal Mimpen with the following message,

"I am an Angora breeder from Holland and a big fan of you. I breed them in white, black, brown and Dwarf Angora in white and yellow (Bob Whitman purchased some from me the last time he came to Holland). Yellow is my creation.

I normally can show my rabbits for 4 to 5 months and then its wool will molt or fall out but the last time I looked at one of the show reports I read that you keep them for 18 months in their coat. Could you give me advise of how you do it?"

Bilal states that the weight range for Dwarf Angora is 1250 to 1750 with 1450 as the ideal. Assuming that these are grams, they convert to 2.75 pounds to 3.85 pounds with 3.19 pounds as ideal. Comparing Jersey Wooley's top weight of 3.5 pounds with ideal weight of 3 pounds, the Dwarf Angora is slightly bigger than the Jersey Wooly as we know it.

We here in the US have been wondering what Dwarf Angora looks like for a long time; I have chased Bob for over a year to get the photos of his Dwarf Angora without success. I saw Bob in Grand Rapids during the ARBA convention and he told me that those Dwarf Angora that he brought back to the US were no longer around; they did not work out for him.

There is still no Dwarf Angora in the US, but we can admire the photos of these little beauties from their breeder in Holland. '

English Angora Wool Winners at the Convention

Chu's Sevenah, winner of the Best of Breed, Best Colored Wool and Best Overall Wool at the ARBA Convention in Grand Rapids.

Chu's Bobbie Joe, winner of Best White Wool at the ARBA Convention in Grand Rapids.

Allen In Africa

We were hoping to see Allen's life in Africa; today he sends in his first report:

"Attached is a picture of part of my family. We eat lunch and dinner from the same bowl! The food usually consists of fish, sheep, and rice. Also, many of the dishes are consumed with French bread instead of spoons!

Being an international student is difficult. I do not understand Wolof, but everyone speaks it here. I sometimes feel like they are talking about me and I cannot understand! Maybe I am paranoid.

The next picture is the facade of my house. It is 2 stories. On the roof, the family dries clothes and has chickens.

The blog looks great! I miss my rabbits."

Allen, we miss you too.

Allen Wins Best of Breed Tan in the Convention

A couple of days after the convention, Allen flew to Africa for a three-month stay. During his long layover at the Atlanta Airport, he says,

"I thought you might like a picture of my Tan who took BOB. Her name is Allen's Rhea, and she is a black junior doe. When Joe got out of rabbits, I got a few of his breeding rabbits. Rhea's mom is JKSG2, a doe that Joe took Best In Show with at the Ohio State Convention ("Mini Convention") several years ago. Rhea was the only one in her litter to survive, and she was raised by one of our Netherland Dwarf does! Now that I see how well she turned out, I am sad to think what the others would have looked like!

Rhea is a South American ostrich; with long legs, I thought the name was fitting. Bill Patrick was the judge. Convention was the first time I showed Rhea. In the third picture is of Joe helping me prep Rhea for BIS outside of the BIS room. When I got to convention to show him Rhea, Joe said, "She is awesome!"

I am sitting in Atlanta waiting for my flight to Dakar, Senegal. I had a redeye all night, and I am exhausted. My flight doesn't leave for another 6 hours. I will take the time and write a Registrar's column. When in Senegal, I plan to create a blog. I will keep you updated with pictures, etc.

The second picture shows Wade Burkhalter helping to carry Rhea from the convention center. Also picture is Kevin Stanford from Tucson. He took his Judge test at convention. He is a top breeder of Dwarfs, and has taken over Joy Bramhall's barn and rents her home in Tucson. He grew up in New York, and we knew each other as youth breeders until we diverged to the west coast. We are very good friends now."

We thank Allen for the report and hope to hear all about his adventure in Africa soon.

Broken Havana Accepted As A New Variety

Brad waits in front of his six presentation Broken Havana. This is the third presentation. If it passes, Broken Havana will be a new variety to be added to the Standard of Perfection.

















Katie anxiously waiting.



The six presentation rabbits: three bucks and three does.





Brad was given the great news: Broken Havana has been accepted for the final presentation. It will be a new variety eligible for competiton for the Best of Breed and for the legs.










Brad and Katie embrace, their hard work and sacrifice finally bears fruit.

Blue Tort Netherland Dwarf Passes First Presentation

Donelle of CA is a long time breeder of Netherland Dwarf. She is the development certificate holder of blue tort Netherland Dwarf. In the Grand Rapids convention, Donelle presents her blue tort Netherland Dwarf for the first time. In the first photo, Donelle waits in front of her four presentation rabbits: sire, dam, son and daughter.

Committee members Armando, Cheryl and Kevin check out the presentation rabbits.

Committee members Jeff, Cathy and Jim examine the blue tort Netherland Dwarf.

The ARBA Standard Committee members gave Donelle the good news that the blue tort Netherland Dwarf has passed the first presentation.

Broken Satin Angora Passes First Presentation

On Wednesday morning during a convention, the ARBA Standard Committee examines all the new variety and new breed presentations.

This year, Broken Satin Angora was scheduled to be one of the first three varieties to be examined. The other two new varieties were blue tort Netherland Dwarf and Broken Havana.

At the top, Broken Satin Angora certificate holder Joan prepares for the presentation. On the judging table are her four presentation rabbits: sire, dam, son and daughter. On the table in front of each rabbit is a pedigree.

In the second photo, Standard committee chair Mike A. and member Erik B. are examining the four rabbits. The next photo shows three other members Cheryl, Armando and Kevin working on the four Broken Satin Angora.

In the fourth photo, the committee members discuss the merit of the presentation. In the fifth photo, Joan sits next to the committee listening to the comments from the members. Joan was informed of the good news: Broken Satin Angora passed the first presentation.

In the last photo, a very happy and relieved Joan poses with two of her presentation rabbits.