4-Class vs. 6-Class
Q: Why are they called "4-class" and "6-class"?
A: Very simple; they describe how many classes the rabbit could be entered in.
4-Class breeds can be entered as followed:
Sr. Buck --> Sr. Doe --> Jr. Buck --> Jr. Doe
Since there are only 4 classes (does not include varieties), they get the name “4-Class”.
6-Class breeds can be entered in one of six classes:
Sr. Buck --> Sr. Doe --> Intermediate Buck --> Intermediate Doe --> Jr. Buck --> Jr. Doe.
Q: How do I know what class my rabbit falls into?
A: We will go through 4-Class breeds first. Jrs. are any rabbit under 6 months of age that meet the weight requirements for the specific breed. For example: A French Angora jr. must weight 3.75 – 7.5 lbs. If your French Angora is within the weight requirements, and is under 6 months old, it is a jr. If your jr. exceeds the maximum weight requirements, it should be bumped up to the sr. class. Using the French Angora example, a 5 month old weighing 8 lbs should be entered as a sr., not a jr., because of its weight. Once your 4-Class rabbit turns 6 months old, or exceeds jr. weight, it should be entered in the sr. class.
6-Class breeds are slightly different. Jrs. should follow the same rules as stated above. Intermediate animals, often called 6/8 rabbits, are any 6-Class rabbits that are six to eight months old. Some breeds specify weight requirements, much like jrs. and srs., but other breeds do not and base it purely on age of the animal. If a breed does specify weight requirements for 6/8s, age and weight will both play a part in what class the animal is entered into. If a jr. exceeds its weight requirements, it can be entered as a 6/8, and likewise, if a 6/8 exceeds its weight requirements, it can be entered as a sr. Once your 6-Class rabbit turns 8 months old, it is a sr.
Always remember, you can enter younger rabbits into higher (older) classes, but you cannot enter older rabbits into lower (younger) classes!
Q: How do I know if my rabbit is a 4-Class or 6-Class breed?
A: 4-Class breeds are generally smaller whereas 6-Class breeds are large or giant breeds. See the table below for where each breed belongs.
4-Class 6-Class
American Fuzzy Lop American
American Sable American Chinchilla
Belgian Hare Beveren
Britannia Petite Blanc de Hotot
Dutch Californian
Dwarf Hotot Champagne d'Argent
English Angora Checkered Giant
English Spot Cinnamon
Florida White Creme d'Argent
French Angora English Lop
Harlequin Flemish Giant
Havana French Lop
Himalayan Giant Angora
Holland Lop Giant Chinchilla
Jersey Wooly New Zealand
Lilac Satin
Lionhead Silver Fox
Mini Lop
Mini Rex
Mini Satin
Netherland Dwarf
Polish
Rhinelander
Satin Angora
Silver
Silver Marten
Standard Chinchilla
Standard Rex
Tan
Thrianta
Velveteen Lop (Not an Accepted Breed)
A: Very simple; they describe how many classes the rabbit could be entered in.
4-Class breeds can be entered as followed:
Sr. Buck --> Sr. Doe --> Jr. Buck --> Jr. Doe
Since there are only 4 classes (does not include varieties), they get the name “4-Class”.
6-Class breeds can be entered in one of six classes:
Sr. Buck --> Sr. Doe --> Intermediate Buck --> Intermediate Doe --> Jr. Buck --> Jr. Doe.
Q: How do I know what class my rabbit falls into?
A: We will go through 4-Class breeds first. Jrs. are any rabbit under 6 months of age that meet the weight requirements for the specific breed. For example: A French Angora jr. must weight 3.75 – 7.5 lbs. If your French Angora is within the weight requirements, and is under 6 months old, it is a jr. If your jr. exceeds the maximum weight requirements, it should be bumped up to the sr. class. Using the French Angora example, a 5 month old weighing 8 lbs should be entered as a sr., not a jr., because of its weight. Once your 4-Class rabbit turns 6 months old, or exceeds jr. weight, it should be entered in the sr. class.
6-Class breeds are slightly different. Jrs. should follow the same rules as stated above. Intermediate animals, often called 6/8 rabbits, are any 6-Class rabbits that are six to eight months old. Some breeds specify weight requirements, much like jrs. and srs., but other breeds do not and base it purely on age of the animal. If a breed does specify weight requirements for 6/8s, age and weight will both play a part in what class the animal is entered into. If a jr. exceeds its weight requirements, it can be entered as a 6/8, and likewise, if a 6/8 exceeds its weight requirements, it can be entered as a sr. Once your 6-Class rabbit turns 8 months old, it is a sr.
Always remember, you can enter younger rabbits into higher (older) classes, but you cannot enter older rabbits into lower (younger) classes!
Q: How do I know if my rabbit is a 4-Class or 6-Class breed?
A: 4-Class breeds are generally smaller whereas 6-Class breeds are large or giant breeds. See the table below for where each breed belongs.
4-Class 6-Class
American Fuzzy Lop American
American Sable American Chinchilla
Belgian Hare Beveren
Britannia Petite Blanc de Hotot
Dutch Californian
Dwarf Hotot Champagne d'Argent
English Angora Checkered Giant
English Spot Cinnamon
Florida White Creme d'Argent
French Angora English Lop
Harlequin Flemish Giant
Havana French Lop
Himalayan Giant Angora
Holland Lop Giant Chinchilla
Jersey Wooly New Zealand
Lilac Satin
Lionhead Silver Fox
Mini Lop
Mini Rex
Mini Satin
Netherland Dwarf
Polish
Rhinelander
Satin Angora
Silver
Silver Marten
Standard Chinchilla
Standard Rex
Tan
Thrianta
Velveteen Lop (Not an Accepted Breed)