American Chinchilla Rabbit Breeders Association

The American Chinchilla has a medium-length body with well-rounded hips and a well-filled loin and rib section, giving the rabbit a solid, balanced feel. The shoulders should be well developed and in proportion to both the rib spread and hips, with a slight taper from shoulders to hindquarters. Does may show a bit more body length than bucks. When viewed from the side, the back forms a gradual arc starting at the base of the ears, rising to its highest point over the middle of the hips, and then flowing smoothly down to the base of the tail. A medium-sized dewlap is acceptable in does. The head should be medium, full from the base of the ears to the muzzle, with a well-filled face and jaws; a snipey (narrow or pinched) head is undesirable. The neck is short, helping the head blend smoothly into the body. Ears should be in proportion to the rabbit, carried erect and close together, evenly ticked to match body color, and finished with a distinct, narrow jet-black lacing about 1/16 inch at the tips. The eyes must be large, bright, and bold, showing alertness and vigor. The feet and legs should be straight with medium bones. The front feet and outside of the upper hind legs are to be ticked to match the body, with the color extending down the thighs to a narrow stripe along the outside of the hind feet. The inside of the thigh and top of the hind feet should be white with a slate under color at the base.

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The American Chinchilla is shown as a six-class breed.
• Senior Bucks: 8 months and older, 9–11 lbs.
• Senior Does: 8 months and older, 10–12 lbs.
• Intermediate Bucks: 6–8 months, not over 10 lbs.
• Intermediate Does: 6–8 months, not over 11 lbs.
• Junior Bucks & Does: under 6 months, 4½–9 lbs.
• Pre-Juniors: under 3 months, not over 6 lbs.
Juniors and intermediates exceeding their maximum weight may be eligible to compete in the next higher age class.

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Disqualifications in the American Chinchilla include any rabbit that is overweight or underweight, falling outside the minimum or maximum limits for its age class. A wrong sex entry is removed from fur class consideration and alters the class count. Serious structural issues with the tail, such as a tail permanently set to either side, screw tail, bobtail, or any missing portion, are disqualifying. Teeth defects—including missing or broken incisors, butting teeth, or malocclusion where the lower incisors overlap the upper—are also disqualifications. Toenail faults such as missing nails (including dewclaws), mismatched nail color, or nails so short that color cannot be determined will disqualify the animal. In terms of pattern, the American Chinchilla must display proper agouti ring structure; a lack of ring definition is disqualifying. Any foreign-colored spots are not permitted. Additionally, a wrong under color, meaning any under color other than what the standard calls for, results in disqualification. These disqualifications ensure consistency, breed purity, and adherence to the American Chinchilla Standard.

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