MH Velveteens is a 4-H youth rabbitry located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

As part of my local 4-H rabbit project, I raise and show Velveteen Lops at ARBA and 4-H sponsors shows, and compete in ARBA Royalty and showmanship contests.

The Velveteen Lop is a breed that is currently in development. This means there are dedicated breeders working on getting the breed recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). One specific breeder holds the Certificate of Development (COD) for the breed and is the only one who can present animals for the presentations. The breed has received two presentation passes out of three and has a working standard. If the breed passes its presentation later this month at the ARBA National Convention, then it will be a recognized breed for solid colors starting in January 2022.

What does it mean to be a COD breed with a working standard? Once a breed with a COD passes its first presentation, a working standard is published, which allows other breeders to breed and show the rabbits to the standard. In showing, the breed can compete for Best of Variety, Best Opposite Variety,Best of Breed, and Best Opposite Breed. The breed cannot compete at Best in Show or Reserve in Show competition, or get Legs or become a Grand Champion.

TL;DR: It's not yet recognized, but can be shown at shows and used for Showmanship. Hoping to become recognized this year!

Working Standard from ARBA

National Velveteen Lop Club - full of useful information, a color guide, proper posing techniques, and breeders across the country