A bit about me...

I grew up on five acres with a mix of German Shepards, Dachshunds, tabby cats, talking & dive bombing Budgies and pet cows (rescued as 'potty calves' from the local animal auction). The only two things that were missing were a horse and babies. I had always wanted to breed something, but I just didn't know what.

When my son asked for a pet rabbit - this was a new field and after a disaster with a sick bunny from a pet shop, I decided we had to join a club to learn more about them. That first club was Rabbit Fanciers Society of NSW Inc. Cocoa was our first bunny - he was a gorgeous Sable Dwarf Lop whose ears wouldn't lop, but he was a gentle, friendly and funny rabbit. Well, my breeding bug that had been lying dormant since leaving those wonderful five acres, soon took a hold as anyone who has ever been to a rabbit show can well imagine - ALL THOSE BUNNIES! The different colours and shapes and coat textures - it really got my heart pumping. Needless to say we found Cocoa a girlfriend, though she happened to already be pregnant. One of those babies ended up taking out BIS at his first show - well that was it, I was caught hook, line with a very heavy lead sinker. I started stewarding every chance I could and listened intently to all the judges for all the breeds. I took over editing the Club Newsletter and bought the colour BRC Breeds Standard, I was hungry for information. Judges Training started in amongst all of this and learning the basics of colour genetics. My next breed was Dutch (one of the very best pet breeds around in my opinion) and one solitary Smoke Pearl (fur breed rabbit) which I saw in a another breeders' rabbitry and fell in love with instantly.

Breeding and Judging:

The very rare breed called 'Sable' (another fur breed) has been a special project for about 2 years now and just recently I have finally had a couple of successful litters. To be able to put these in front of the next English Judge at the Rabbit Exhibitors & Breeders Society Inc. National Show will be what I regard as my highest achievement to date.

I have had the pleasure of not just judging in NSW but also in both WA and SA. It is such an honour to be asked and so valuable to be able see what other Clubs and individuals are doing and how they tackle diferent issues and some of the great ideas they come up with. It is an opportunity not to be missed and importantly also helps to put names to faces. The rabbit fancy benefits nationally from this type of communication as it helps to break down those borders and brings us and our Hobby together and hopefully slowly develops trust so that eventually we can tackle some of the issues we have, together.

I could ramble on for ages but I'd better not. I love bunnies, I love breeding, I really enjoy being involved with the Clubs (I'd have to, I think, if was silly enough to let myself be nominated for President of Rabbit Fanciers). I hope you come away with a bit of the enthusiasm and love for these amazing little creatures that I have.

Irene King

Rabbit Hood Stud

President of Rabbit Fanciers Society of NSW Inc.