Working Standard for Whitman's American Astrex
Schedule Of Points:
General Type: 35
Body: 25
Head: 3
Ears: 3
Eyes: 1
Feet and Legs: 2
Tail: 1
Fur: 50
Color: 10
Condition: 5
Showroom Classes and Weights:
Senior Bucks: 6 months of age
and over, weight 4½ to 7 pounds. Ideal weight 5½ pounds.
Senior Does: 6 months of
age and over, weight 5 to 7 pounds. Ideal weight 6 pounds.
Junior Bucks: Under 6
months of age, not over 5½ pounds. Minimum weight 3 pounds.
Junior Does: Under 6
months of age, not over 6 lbs. Minimum weight 3 pounds.
General Type:
Body: The ideal American Astrex
is a finely boned animal that gives an overall impression of
athleticism and liveliness. The body should be held aloft, allowing
daylight to be seen under it. From the side, the topline should rise
slightly from the base of the neck, before continuing down to the
table in a full, well-rounded arch. When viewed from above, the hips
should be slightly broader than the shoulders, but not so much as to
give the impression of a wedge shape. The overall movement of the
rabbit should be light on it's feet and graceful, with no impression
of heaviness or excess bulk.
Head: The head is to be in
proportion to the body, with ears held erect. The features may be a
bit heavier in bucks than in does, but in no rabbit should the
overall impression be bulky or flat-faced.
Ears: The ears are to be large
and well-proportioned, and held in an alert stance.
Faults: Short or thin ears, ears
which droop under their own weight.
Eyes: The eyes should be wide
and very bright
Feet and Legs: The front legs
should be long and medium to fine in bone, holding the rabbet well
off the table in an alert stance. Likewise, the hind legs should be
equal in width to the hindquarters with preference given to an animal
that holds it's hindquarters slightly elevated, so as to appear “on
its toes” and alert.
Tail: The tail is to be
straight, well-furred, and proportional to the body.
Fur:
Fur is to be dense, springy, soft and lustrous with as much wave
and curl as possible, especially around the head and neck. Guard
hairs should not be very noticeable. Adult coat should be as thick
and plush as possible without compromising the silky texture. Curl
should be able to be felt, not just seen. The ideal coat should glow
like a jewel. Appearance resembling satin preferred and satinized
animals not to be faulted. Whiskers displaying curl preferred.
Faults: Fur lacking in density, shaggy, dull or lacking
luster. Prominent guard hairs that protruding from coat to the extent
that it interferes with the soft lustrous feel. Coarse fur that is
unyielding to touch. In adults, cottony or harsh texture.
DQ: Complete absence of waves or curls, especially around
head and neck.
Color:
Black: Color is to be a rich, lustrous jet-black over the
entire body, running deep towards the skin. Eyes-dark brown.
Toenails-dark.
Blue: Color is to be a dark, rich blue over the entire
body, running deep towards the skin. Guard hairs are to be the same
color. Eyes-blue grey. Toenails-dark.
Chocolate: Color is to be a rich chocolate brown, running
as deep towards the skin as possible. Color is to be even throughout.
Undercolor is to be a dove color. Eyes-brown, ruby cast permissible.
Toenails-dark.
Lilac: Color is to be a pink dove-grey, with lustrous
appearance, and even throughout. Guard hairs are to be the same
color. Eyes-blue grey, with ruby cast permissible. Toenails-colored.
White: Color is to be a pure clean white (avoiding yellow
cast) over the entire body. Eyes-pink, ruby, or blue.
Toenails-without pigmentation.
Faults: Eye color other than called for. White spot(s);
white toenails in colored animals.
Condition:
The animal should be friendly and bold in attitude, not shy or
aggressive. They should have the look of an athletic, active
individual.
General Disqualifications:
Ill health, pot belly, white patches,
crooked legs, excessive dewlap, sore hocks (where skin is broken or
scabbed), walleyes. Overly fearful or vicious temperament.