Senita working Standard: Febuary 2025

February 14, 2025, 10:41:51 PM

The Working Breed Standard 2025

Non-physical Traits
non-physical traits that are selected are inquisitive, friendly, happy rabbits, with great mothering ability,

Physical Traits
Senitas are known for their heat and cold tolerance. They have been thriving and doing binkies in temperatures ranging from 0 degrees to 100 degrees. They tend to have slightly larger ears and a slightly longer midsection than New Zealands, typically 3-4 inches in proportion. A shorter shoulder and longer midsection are preferred, but not so long as to be mandolin-shaped. When viewed from above, they should be egg-shaped. Most Senita have larger litters, like Harlequins.

As of 2023, the Senita rabbit breed is still New Zealand-sized, which is between 9 and 12 pounds. However, Mary Conley has successfully bred rabbits that weigh up to 12 pounds and is slowly working on breeding them to weigh up to 16 pounds. Her goal is to increase their weight without sacrificing their commercial type or color.

Mary’s litters are currently hitting 2 pounds, 10 ounces at 5 weeks. Her goal is to increase that to 4-5 pounds by 8 weeks. She’s hoping to move those goals up as the litter size increases. To that end, she has incorporated a close-coupled Flemish cross doe ( Opal, who is currently Owned by Madison Simmons in CO ) and is seeking a shorter shoulder giant chin or nicely typed extra large line to incorporate for experimentation.

Weights
Jr Min weight 5lbs Jr Max Weight 10lbs
Int Min Weight 10.5lbs Int Max Weight 11.5lbs
Sr Min Weight 12lbs Sr Max Weight no max

""Weights right now are goals but may be adjusted down as long as the growth rate stays stable, currently, we are sitting between 10 and 11.5 lbs at sr weight.
With kits less than 4lb at 8 weeks being instant culls from the program. "

Body
The body is to be well muscled with excellent fullness from front to back. Presenting an overall sense of balance. Full smooth loin. A gradual rise beginning at the nape of the neck peaking over the center of the hips. A slight curve over the rear of the hindquarters to the table. Not undercut. Senita should have equal depth and width, with a gradual egg shape when viewed from above.

Fault:

Chopped Hindquarters: cull all rabbits with this fault.
Undercut hindquarters: cull all rabbits with this fault.
Pinched hindquarters: cull all rabbits with this fault.
Weak or low Shoulders: cull all rabbits with this fault.
Overly long shoulders( mandolin): cull all rabbits with this fault.
Overly short shoulders(compact) :may be worked with
Peak too far forward. :may be worked with

What you want to see is a good wide base even if you can not see the feet you should be able to place your hand between the hocks and measure at least 4 inches of width. , Good width and well-rounded hind quarters can also be seen from above.

DQ's
Close coupled Body. Looking more like a compact type than a commercial type. ( may be worked with )
Mandolin resembling a Flemish Giant : cull all rabbits with this fault.
Less than 20% or more than 80% color coverage, on Tricolor . ( may be worked with )
Less than 20% or more than 90% color coverage shotgun Magpie . ( may be worked with )
Large clean solid patches of color larger than 4sq inches to mimic the harlequin breed. . ( may be worked with )
Large clean solid patches of color larger than 4sq inches to mimic Magpie Banding . ( may be worked with )
Blue Eyes, : cull all rabbits with this fault.
Dutch or Booted Patterning when the white does not extend past the elbow . ( may be worked with )
English Spot/Rhinelander pattern . ( may be worked with )

Coat
coat type is Roll-back coat. The Senita rabbit should have a thick coat that is approximately 1.5 inches long. The coat should be full, dense, and luxurious to demonstrate the dual purpose of this breed.

Fault:
Open or Dirty Coat

Varieties

Magpie Brindle
Broken/shotgun Magpie
Japanese Brindled
Tricolor
These varieties are shown in Rollback coats. Mismatched nail colors are allowed. , body type is to be weighed heavier in all varieties, over pattern clarity. any color combination, Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac
Even Brindled marking uniform over the whole body Color should be rich high rufus and have depth of color

FAULT
Less than 40% or more than 60% color coverage, on Tricolor
Less than 40% or more than 80% color coverage Broken Magpie
Solid patches Larger than 2-3.5 sq inches of any one color and large bands of Color Japanese Brindle color variety
Solid patches Larger than 2-3.5 sq inches of any one color and large bands of Color on Magpie Brindle varieties