What is a complete pedigree?

Some people believe that for a rabbit's pedigree to be considered complete, that simply means that all possible ancestors over the previous 3 generations have to be listed. However that isn't entirely correct. If all you have is just a listing of names, you're actually missing a fair bit of important information and information is where the value of having a pedigree lies. A list of names is next to useless as a breeding tool. You need to know some minimum basic about each of those animals.

Additionally, if you want to officially register your rabbit with ARBA (The American Rabbit Breeders Association) and by doing so confirm that the rabbit is at a minimum an adequate representative of it's breed, ARBA has very specific requirements as to what information must be included on the pedigree in order for it to be recognized as part of the application process. In order to be registered with ARBA, a rabbit must pass an in-person physical examination by an ARBA registrar who will confirm that the rabbit does not have any disqualifying physical traits. The rabbits owner must also complete an application form which includes a copy of the rabbit's complete pedigree. If any information is missing, the rabbit will not be eligible for registration. If all of the information is complete and the rabbit passes the physical inspection, the rabbit receives a tattoo in their right ear to confirm their registered status. This can be their registration number or a special "R" tattoo that is applied by the registrar. 

For a pedigree to be considered complete for ARBA registration purposes, it must include the following for each animal listed:

• Name of animal

This can be a given name or simply the ear ID. The name may include the breeder's prefix but doesn't have to, however listing just the breeder's prefix but no given name or ID is considered insufficient

• Ear ID

This is the rabbit's ear tattoo ID. It can be made up of any combination of letters or numbers, but no special characters. This can be the same as the given name or any code that the breeder uses to identify their individual rabbits. For example, some breeders use the first letters of the parents' names plus a number. 

• Variety

This is the animal's color. While the rabbit who is being registered has to be of recognizable variety for their breed, the rabbits listed on their pedigree do not and can include varieties that would otherwise be no-showable for their breed.  

• Weight

This is the weight of the animal. The recorded weights are generally taken at 6 months of age when a rabbit would be eligible for registration, or at any point in adulthood. 

• Registration number

If any of the animals listed on the pedigree have already been registered, their registration numbers should be included. A rabbit does not have to have any registered ancestors in order to be eligible for registration. 

Each animal listed should be of the same breed as the one being registered but this information does not have to be printed under each animal. 

The ARBA registration and showing system is based on phenotypes of animals, not their genetics. This means that the animals are judged based on what they look like and not their genetic make up. A rabbit can be a mutt, but if it looks like a good representative of a certain breed and possess all of that breed's visible characteristics, it can compete on the show table as that breed. If this rabbit is bred and for 3 consecutive generations the offspring also look like members of the breed, they are considered to in fact be that breed.