Things to know before you show:

1. Cavies need not be registered nor even purebred (carrying a three generation pedigree) to be shown.  They are required to fit into one of the recognized breeds or one of the working breeds.  If the animal is too far from the standard or carries a known disqualification, fault, or any reason for elimination {see Rules Governing Awards}, it could be rejected by a judge.  Therefore, make yourself aware of the breed and variety of cavy that you have.  Study the area of the 'Standard of Perfection' (available through the American Rabbit Breeders Association/ARBA) that fits your cavy.

Example:  You own a Black, American (Smooth coat) Cavy

An American cavy should have a medium body length with broad shoulders, a Roman nose and have a high, full-crown. A short, silky coat is preferred with well set, rose-petal shaped ears. It's ears and foot pads should be the same color as it's body. Your American cavy should have nice bright, bold eyes that correspond to it's body color. In addition, your cavy should be firm of flesh and it's color is to be a nice deep, rich black going down to the base of it's skin.

If your cavy meets all the items listed, you can then feel confident to show it as a Black, American cavy.  However, if your cavy has a belly ridge in it's fur or it has stray red hairs in it's coat [8 or more - enough to be considered a spot] then it cannot be shown.  These are known as disqualifications and you shouldn't show it.

IF YOU DON'T WISH TO PURCHASE A STANDARD OF PERFECTION, CONTACT A BREEDER NEAR YOU OR VISIT A SHOW BEFORE YOU PLAN ON SHOWING YOUR ANIMAL. MOST BREEDERS WILL BE HAPPY TO GO OVER YOUR ANIMAL FOR YOU AND ENLIGHTEN YOU AS TO JUST WHAT YOU HAVE.

2. Before a show, all cavies should be weighed so that they can be entered in the correct class.  Baby scales or diet scales can be used for this purpose.
   1. Senior Boars and Sows - over six months old and weighting 32 ozs. or more.
   2. Intermediate Boars and Sows - under six months of age, weighing more than 22 ozs. and no more than 32 ozs.
   3. Junior Boars and Sows - under four months of age and no less than 12 ozs. and no more than 22 ozs. in weight.
3. All cavies that are going to be shown must be permanently marked by an ear tag in the left ear.  You can purchase these ear tags through supply companies or dealers.
4. All cavies attending shows should be properly groomed.  This could include a pre-show bath or Ivermectin Treatment.  However, they must be exhibited in their natural state - no cream rinses, dyes, oils, etc. should be added to their coats.

Earning Grand Champion Legs:

In order to become a Grand Champion, a cavy must first earn three Grand Champion legs.  The type of legs we are now talking about are a piece of paper awarded at the show.  A leg is a good win indeed as there must be a least five cavies shown and at least three different exhibitors in your cavy's class.  Without these requirements, your cavy will only come home with a 'first place' award ... this is still good and should be proudly accepted.

It should be noted that Grand Champion Legs are only awarded at ARBA Sanctioned Shows.  You will be aware of weather or not the show you are attending is a 'sanctioned show' as it will be listed in the catalogue prior to your entering.

During any one given show, a cavy can only earn on GC leg.  If your cavy wins a Best of Variety and then goes on to win Best of Breed, it will only receive a leg for the highest win.  The other information may be written on the leg however.

Becoming a Grand Champion:

This is good news, bad news time.  Although your cavy doesn't have to have a three generation pedigree to be shown, he must have one to be Registered before an ARBA Registrar.  Why do you want your cavy registered?  Because in order to become a GC he must not only hold three (3) GC legs, he must have an ARBA Registration Number.  Don't panic.  If your cavy has all the requirements of the breed and has it's GC legs earned, you may present your cavy before an ARBA Judges' Board (at special events) and they will go over your cavy and deem it worthy/unworthy of Grand Champion status.

If your cavy does have a three generation pedigree you simply take your cavy, his pedigree and grand champion legs before a registrar at a sanctioned show.   You will pay a small registration fee and the Registrar will go over your cavy and fill out the appropriate forms from ARBA.  you will get a copy of this form immediately and he will send the original to ARBA where they will record the information and send you a printed Certificate of Registration.

You are now ready to mail in GC legs (with the registration number your cavy has earned on them) to ARBA along with a small processing fee.  In turn, ARBA will compile all this information and you will shortly receive the coveted Grand Champion Certificate that is quite handsome and prestigious.

More good news, bad news time ... In order for your cavy to be Registered, YOU must first be a member of  ARBA (The American Rabbit Breeders Association).   Why?  Because ARBA is the parent club for the ACBA (American Cavy Breeders Association) and like all the other clubs under the arm of ARBA, we must be members.   It is a highly organized group of people that run ARBA and they are an elected force by the membership.  Just a very few of the things that ARBA does is that they make sure your shows are run correctly and that your judges are trained to be uniform and accurate in their judging.  They offer guidance and continuity to our hobby and our clubs.