How to Make a Pedigree for Your Bunny

A pedigree is a document that denotes the lineage of an animal. The purpose of a pedigree is to demonstrate the likely characteristics and appearance of future generations of the same bloodline, based on the characteristics and appearance of previous generations. Pedigrees are particularly important for breeders of rabbits seeking to sell their animals, as the document enables them to offer assurances to prospective buyers. When making a pedigree for your bunny, it̵7;s essential that the information is accurate and clearly presented.

Things You'll Need

  • Blank sheet of paper
  • Ruler
  • Pencil or computer word processor program
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a table on a piece of paper or use a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Open Office. The table must have at least four columns. To create a table in a word processor, you typically click ̶0;Table̶1; and enter the amount of rows and columns required. If your word processor doesn̵7;t have the option to use different numbers of rows for each column, leave the unused rows blank.

    • 2

      Divide the column second-left into two rows. Divide the column third-left into four rows and the right-hand column into eight rows. The column on the left must be left without division.

    • 3

      Write the name of the rabbit to whom the pedigree belongs in the left column. Under the name, write the ear number, color, weight and breed of the rabbit. Position the text so it is in the middle of the column. The ear number is optional, as some rabbits don̵7;t have ear tattoos. To determine whether your rabbit has an ear tattoo, examine the inside of the left ear.

    • 4

      Write ̶0;Sire̶1; in the top row of the second-left column and ̶0;Dam̶1; in the bottom row. The sire is the father and the dam is the mother. For the purpose of your bunny pedigree, always list the male of a breeding pair on the top row. When dealing with grandparents and great-grandparents, list the parents of the male on the top row, with the sire always occupying the row above the dam in any breeding pair. Underneath the names, include color, weight and breed of the rabbit. To determine the breed when unlisted in other documentation, refer to the breed of the parents. If both parents are the same breed, the offspring should be listed as that breed. If the parents are of different breed, this makes the offspring a cross-breed. In which case, list the offspring as ̶0;father̵7;s breed x mother̵7;s breed,̶1; for example ̶0;Pygmy x Nethersland Dwarf.̶1;

    • 5

      Fill in the details for the remaining known generations. A pedigree must have at least three generations̵7; worth of information, but the more information the better. Arrange the text in each column so the sire is slightly above the offspring and the dam is slightly below. This makes it easier for a buyer to trace the lineage back.

    • 6

      Draw a line from each rabbit to its parents. If using a computer program, print the pedigree first.

    • 7

      In the top left corner of the pedigree, write the name and address of the breeder.