Problems petting out BUB

[Sabine]

I am finding it very hard to find a pet home for my only BUB in my last litter. I've had several inquiries and a good bit of interest but everyone wants to use him for breeding. One person even lied to me and claimed he wanted a male and a female as pets but when I withheld the doe as I was suspicious he admitted he wanted to breed after all (they were full siblings too):rollseyes
I am wondering if I am right to insist that he goes as a pet or let people use him to breed even more poor quality Netherland dwarfs. After all who am I to tell people what standards to apply. There are not even any shows in the South of Ireland. I feel a bit torn as I have 2 or 3 people supposed to get back to me after the weekend that want to buy him. I'd love to hear some other breeders' views.

 

[Icarus]

Sabine wrote:

I am finding it very hard to find a pet home for my only BUB in my last litter. I've had several inquiries and a good bit of interest but everyone wants to use him for breeding. One person even lied to me and claimed he wanted a male and a female as pets but when I withheld the doe as I was suspicious he admitted he wanted to breed after all (they were full siblings too):rollseyes
I am wondering if I am right to insist that he goes as a pet or let people use him to breed even more poor quality Netherland dwarfs. After all who am I to tell people what standards to apply. There are not even any shows in the South of Ireland. I feel a bit torn as I have 2 or 3 people supposed to get back to me after the weekend that want to buy him. I'd love to hear some other breeders' views.

Your right to insist he only go as a pet. A lot of people see a fancy rabbit breed (like ND's) and go "Hey! Theres one for sale! I'll get some does and make LOADS OF CASH!". Without, of course, giving any thought to the quality of the rabbit.
[sub]Disclaimer: Rabbits will not make you loads of cash[/sub]

I would either continue to insist that he is a pet only, not for breeding as he's of low quality. Or, find someone who's experienced in breeding Dwarfs and knows what their doing.

Is he terribly ugly (incorrect head, markings, ears, etc.)? Or just larger than breed standards?

 

[Sabine]

He is a handsome little fellow. Dark Siamese Sable but his ears and body are way to long. I can't imagine him to produce proper dwarfs if used for stud.

 

[Sabine]

Here he is

 

[Icarus]

Ah, maybe if bred to a doe from small-sized lines he might produce a proper kit. It could be that he carries good genetics, just that the ones he shows are a bit quirky.

I still think that your completely right in insisting that he be a pet, not a stud. It shows that you do in fact care about the breed, and aren't just selling willy-nilly for some cash.

I'd personally rather have someone tell me 'If your looking for a pet, I have such and such, he's a pretty boy but definitely not a breeder. If your looking for a stud, I have such and such bunny..."

My Harlequin is from show-quality lines, but his markings aren't quite up to par. The lady I bought him from brought his faults right up front and was perfectly open about his bloodlines.

A good breeder stands behind their animals and places them properly

 

[Sabine]

It is very unlikely that people find a good quality doe with matching colour anywhere near unless I supply one to them myself. They are all from a good line but I would hate someone breed poorly and then tell people he got the animals from my stock.
The doe I withheld from the guy who simply picked the two cheapest bunnies went to a lovely guy who said straight out he was going to breed and took my advice on a suitable pair even though it meant paying a bit more for the buck. He has experience with breeding other species (for show) and certainly asked all the right questions.
I am afraid to put "pet only" into my ad as I am afraid people may just lie

 

[Tweetiepy]

What's a BUB?

I think the bunny is beautiful - but I'm not a breeder - he's just a cutie

 

[Shaded Night Rabbitry]

Big Ugly Buck. They're not uber useful in breeding programs, since you want your bucks to be the best of the best. While they are quite cute from a pet owner's standpoint, they're nearly the bane of ND breeders exsistence. (LOL, JK!) But pretty much the only use for them is to pet them out... which a lot of people don't like dealing with, for reasons Sabine has stated.

 

[woahlookitsme]

you could always get him neutered if you have any connections with a vet on a cheap price

 

[Sabine]

woahlookitsme wrote:

you could always get him neutered if you have any connections with a vet on a cheap price

That would cost me around 100 Euro. It's not really an option.
I just dread having to deal with those "breeders" after the weekend. He'd make such a cute pet...

 

[woahlookitsme]

find a kid to give him to. They probably wont breed him. Try giving him to a friend?