WHY WE SHOW

"The one thing I love about going to, participating in, judging for these rat shows is the chance to see the 'competition' -- the 'stock' that is out there at this time. It's a great way to see how far our rats have come and which direction they're headed. I know I had my sheet that I kept writing down numbers as I went along. Some of the rats were so amazing that I wanted to find out more later. These shows are a great way to find out (those of us that are breeders) which rats you might want babies from, and therefore improve your own lines at home. It is so much more than "I have the best rat!" It's about really looking over what is "out there," which lines have come a long way, which ones still need work, the ability to see different varieties you've not seen in person before, and really make better plans for yourself in the future." -- Melina Cardona, NIRO President and Show Judge

The Beauty Contest and the Lure of the Pretty Ribbons

There's no denying it. Everyone loves winning prizes, especially if they are big and pretty and come with the respect of your peers. And there's no denying that we want the other exhibitors, and of course the judges, to admire the beauty of the rats we bring. It's a form of validation you just can't get anywhere else. It's not usually safe or convenient to let other people, let alone other breeders, into your rattery, and pictures don't always do an animal justice.

We want the acknowledgement that our rats are pretty, yes, prettier than all the other rats! And we want that great big rosette to hang on our rat room door where we can admire it daily.

However, that is only the barest scratching of the surface as to why reputable breeder want - and, in my opinion, need - to show their rats in an open setting.

What Wins Today Breeds Tomorrow

At the RSA Judge's Conference in 2005, the point was made that what we're doing by showing our rats is evaluating breeding stock. The rats who win big on the judging table will be in demand for the next generation of breeding, as will their siblings, offspring and even parents by default. It is rare indeed that you see a rat with a title before its name or a big blue ribbon next to it that doesn't have a litter lined up after the show.

Since we judge for the whole rat, the Best In Show and Section winner rats should be those who best encompass that philosophy. Yes, they will be pretty, but they will also be structurally strong, conformationally correct and healthy. They'll have nicely arched loins and backs, they'll have thick, muscular tails, they'll have big eyes and agreeably cupped ears. These are the rats that the judges think would improve the fancy when added to the gene pool.

This philosophy means that every show should see the improvement of the type of rat being exhibited, as the winners of the last few shows move aside to let their offspring take center stage.

Evaluated by an Objective Eye

Does that mean that only Champions should breed? Absolutely not. Only one rat can win a section, but often there are many very high quality animals there, especially in large sections. The animals that win are the best in the section - at least according to one judge - but that does not mean they are the only quality animal on the table, or that only the champion will produce the next generation of champions.

Having a trained and objective eye look your animal over, describing its faults and merits, is greatly beneficial when choosing whether or not to breed it, and to whom. Sometimes a judge will even comment that a certain rat has a nice, strong head, but should be bred to an animal with better ears.

The judge's comments should therefore be a part of the exhibiting breeder's evaluation when choosing whether or not to breed a rat, as well as the process of choosing a mate. It should not be the only factor, of course. Unless your rat continued to move up the show brackets, only one judge looked at them, and every judge (and breeder) likes and dislikes different factors of rat conformation.

The best answer to this is, of course, see if you can get some one-on-one time with the judge after the show, and try to bring your rat to more than one show.

Snagging Good Genes

As mentioned in the quote above, a show is a prime opportunity to get a look at other breeders' current lines and stock. Often, you will see that someone else has succeeded in a thorny area you may not have had much luck with yourself, or may in fact have a whole area of advantage you had not considered. Getting out and refreshing your "eye" with rats you don't see day after day, and then comparing them to your own animal often helps lift the "breeder blinders" we wear as we become overly used to our own stock.

If another breeder has stock that you want, a show is a very good opportunity to network with them. Often business cards are exchanged, email addresses, and promises to let people know if and when there is a litter available from a prime animal.

Pet Owners and Non-Breeder Exhibitors

Where then do the pet owners and other non-breeders fit into the showing scheme?

As referenced in the first paragraph of this article, showing is fun! There's a thrill to competition, and a satisfaction from seeing your animal being taken seriously up among all the other breeders' stock. I've seen several pet owners go home with a ribbon attached to an animal that will never be bred that is just a spoiled and loved-on house pet.

Does that mean that pet owners are interfering with the purpose of showing: to pick the best breeding stock for the future? Not at all!

Most pet owners who attend a show obtained their animals from other breeders, who are serious about improving their own stock. Even if the winning rat will never be bred, the breeder has almost always kept at least one sibling, his parents, and other relatives who can and may be bred from. One animal can be looked at as an example of a bloodline, and an endorsement for that example speaks well for the rest. That is not to say, of course, that just because Spunky won a show that his brother Sparky is as good or better quality. But usually, a breeder keeps the best siblings in a litter for their own use, so they can feel comfortable that their bloodline has done well.

The Course of Time

Selective breeding of any kind will change the animal being bred over time; that is its purpose. It can be very educational to look back through records and photographs of earlier shows to see how the stock has changed over time. Often you will see distinct changes in general body shape, condition, and the sorts of colors and types being bred for that are no longer popular. There was a time when Rex Dumbos in Agouti colors were heavily represented on the show tables; now you will see an awful lot of Black Selfs and Standard Ears. As always, we must be careful that the changes we are making to our animals are still taking the "whole rat" into account, and that we are not sacrificing what makes them rats in order to make them more appealing to judges.