Showing rats at a NERS show

NERS rat shows aim to provide a meeting place for rat lovers from around the region whether or not they wish to exhibit their rats. For many people, entering their rats into the show adds an extra dimension to the day, but unless you are familiar with the proceedings it can all seem a little overwhelming. In reality, showing is very straightforward with most of the effort being put in between shows (only excellent diet and care will keep a rat in tip top condition). This article should help you to understand the process so that - hopefully - you will feel able to have a go.

The structure of the show

Most rat shows are split into two separate shows:

• The variety show (varieties)
• The pet show (pets)

The variety show is for people to exhibit rats who are a good example of their variety and a good overall general conformation. Rats are judged on type (conformation), the variety standard (colour, marking, shading, rexing or dumbo ear shape) and condition. Some rats, for example an agouti rex dumbo, will be judged on their adherence to multiple standards (in this case the agouti standard, the rex standard and the dumbo standard). A copy of the variety standards can be found here. This document requires Acrobat reader (free downloadable software).

Each variety class is split into adult and kitten, so that all the adults are compared initially and then all of the kittens. The the best adult in each variety is compared to the best kitten, giving the best rat of that variety (for example best agouti). This is the rat who is awarded the rosette for that variety, therefore, is it possible to win a first place in a variety class but not win the rosette for that variety. You would still be awarded a first place prize card. Some rats end up in a class of one with no apparent competition. Unless these rats cannot be judged to the variety standard they will still be awarded the variety rosette. Prize cards are awarded for 1st to 4th place in each class.

Once all of the individual classes have been judged, the challenges begin. Every rat is effectively in competition with every other rat who has been entered (except for the new varieties), and this is where rats who were on their own in the variety class get a second chance to shine in competition. There are 5 challenge competitions:

• The adult challenge - all first placed (and excellent lower placed) adults are compared.
• The kitten challenge - all first placed (and excellent lower placed) kittens are compared.
• The supreme challenge - the best adults are judged against the best kittens.
• The stud buck challenge - the bucks in the competition are compared to see which would make the best studs.
• The junior exhibitor challenge - all rats owned by junior members are judged against each other.

Pets

The pet classes are organised by exhibitor age and the gender of the rat. There are 4 classes in the rat show (plus a small furry class for other species):

• Adult owned buck (bucks owned by exhibitors who are 16 and over).
• Adult owned doe (does owned by exhibitors who are 16 and over).
• Junior owned buck (bucks owned by exhibitors who are under 16).
• Junior owned doe (does owned by exhibitors who are under 16).

• Tractibility 5
• Health 5
• Condition 5
• Preparation 5
• Temperament 10

All of the individual rats in each class are judged against each other and 1st to 4th place is decided in each class. Prize cards are given to all placed rats, and a class rosette is awarded to the best rat in each class. Then the pet challenges are judged. There are three pet challenges:

• The adult challenge (the best adult owned bucks are compared to the best adult owned does).
• The junior challenge (the best junior owned bucks are compared to the best junior owned does).
• The supreme pet challenge (the best adult owned rats are compared to the best junior owned rats).

The small furry class is judged separately and prizecards are awarded 1st to 4th. A rosette is awarded to the best small furry.

How to enter a show
Before taking any rats out to a show (including shoulder rats) you do need to ensure that you apply some basic health and quarantine guidelines. This helps to keep our shows a safe place for all of our rats.

You need to start thinking about which rats you will exhibit, perhaps a week in advance of the show. It is not helpful to make entries any earlier than this, as a week is a long time in a rat's life and you may need to withdraw or change your entries which will increase the workload for the show secretary. About a week before the show, take a close look at your rats by giving them a health check and considering their overall condition. Rats that you select to enter into the show should be fit and healthy, and in good overall condition. Any rat that is under par (for any reason) should not be put through the rigors of a day's travelling and showing.

Once you have decided which rats you plan to show you can use the online show entry form to make your entries. You will need to provide your name, membership status and type, number of rats entered and the following details for each rat:

• Name (including prefix if from a registered breeder)
• Age (kitten is under 13 weeks and adult is 13 weeks and over)
• Gender
• Variety
• Class entered
• Breeder or origin

Show preparation is discussed in detail here.

On the day of the show
Before setting off with your rats do a final health check to be sure that they are fit for the day ahead. Place them into your carrier with some moist fruit or vegetable (cucumber or melon are ideal) and make your journey to the venue. Plan to arrive at least half an hour before judging starts. This will give you time to collect your tank stickers, sort out your show tanks and get the rats settled in before placing them onto the show bench. Ideally all rats should be on the bench at least 15 minutes before judging commences. This allows the steward to organise the tanks correctly. If you are going to be late (or cannot come at the last minute) please contact the show secretary on the show mobile number 07963 173 614.

You may find it useful to bring the following items to the show (some are essential):

• Show tanks.
• Litter for the tank (shredded paper bedding can also be used for kittens).
• Moisture source such as cucumber or melon (one chunk per tank). You may wish to give kittens a little dry food too.
• Water bottles. These are not allowed during the show - but are useful for hydration on arrival and before the journey home. Do not leave bottles attached while travelling as they tend to leak.
• High energy wet food snack for after the show is over - pasta, sweetcorn etc are often appreciated.
• Non-perfumed baby wipes. Useful for any last minute cleaning up of ears and tail.
• Nail clippers.
• Small soft brush

Each rat should be placed into a tank (on a suitable substrate) with the correct tank label and a piece of fruit or vegetable as a moisture source. Then they can be placed onto the show bench. There will be two separate judging areas for varieties and pets. If you are unsure please just ask. Once placed, the rats should not be removed until the end of judging. Exhibitors are not allowed to identify rats as their own during the judging process. The steward will let you know when judging is over and you are free to remove your rats from the bench. If you are worried about any rat during the show please speak to the show secretary.

When judging has finished please remove your rats and settle them back into their travel carriers with access to food and drink. There will then be a short wait while the show secretary gets the final prize cards and rosettes organised for the presentation. The judges will then present the class and challenge rosettes. Prize cards for rats who did not win rosettes can be collected from the table at the end of the presentation.

Help at shows (with everything from making tea, to sweeping up, to stewarding for the judge) is always appreciated. Please speak to the show secretary in advance of the show or on the day.