Best of bunnies: Washington State Rabbit Breeders Association marks 75th year

MOSES LAKE — Rabbits are often auctioned for their meat, their fur or even to be used in laboratory research, but at Saturday’s 75th Washington State Rabbit Breeders Association (WSRBA) Convention at the Grant County Fairgrounds, it was mostly for the love of the animals – no different from a dog show.

Most rabbits won’t be sold at all, said Denise Konzek, WSRBA secretary, but will instead collect ribbons, and be shown time and time again.

Eight hundred rabbits were registered for the mostly statewide event Saturday, a total of 50 breeds, ranging from dwarf rabbits, such as the Mini Rexes, to the colossal Flemish giants.

Judges look at different traits in each rabbit, Konzek said. Some breeds, such as the long-haired Angoras, are judged by their wool. Some are judged by their color, she said, some their ears, some their meat, some their “fanciness.”

The WSRBA, founded in 1946, travels across the country for national conventions, Konzek said. Lots of showers come from Japan and England. If the border wasn’t closed, there would probably be a lot of Canadians there, she said.

Konzek started showing rabbits when she was a teenager, she said. Then, her kids got into it, and one thing led to another. She became a 4-H leader and then the superintendent of the local fair, she said. It’s a generational thing.

She’s made friends all over the U.S. with the hobby, she said.

Shower Griffin Harrah made the trip from Fresno, California, for the convention, he said. On Saturday, he showed his Mini Rexes, Double D and Nibblet. For Mini Rexes, a small fur breed, judges look at hair density and texture, he said. The rabbits are split into junior and senior classes, as well as by age, weight and variety, he said.

Per variety, judges pick the first senior for each, then choose the best of breed, then choose the best of show for the grand prize trophy. This year’s a big deal, he said, because it’s the 75th anniversary.

The rabbits can sell for anywhere from $25 to $500, he said. At a national convention, he saw the first place Mini Rex go for $1,700, but that’s pretty rare.

He’s been around rabbits his whole life, he said. His mother did 4-H, and he started at age 15. While he’s shown other animals, there’s something about the rabbit community that always draws him back, he said.

It’s a cost-effective event the whole family can take part in, Konzek said. Through the program, she’s watched kids grow up.

For Harrah, it’s not really about the money or trophies, he said. It’s simply the love of rabbits.

Sam Fletcher can be reached via email at sfletcher@columbiabasinherald.com.