Rabbit-raising helps city slickers find a place at Fort Worth Stock Show

Tammy Wheat held her black Mini Rex rabbit close to her chest.

“These rabbits are known for their velvety fur,” said Wheat, petting the rabbit named Tiny Dancer. “People cannot believe how soft they are.”

Tiny Dancer was among the more than 1,000 rabbits competing Saturday at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Wheat, who lives in Grapevine, brought nine other Mini Rex rabbits, with names like Honey Pot and Uptown Girl.

Show Superintendent Tony Bell said rabbits are a popular choice among people who live in the city but want to dabble in raising and showing animals.

“It’s difficult to raise a pig, lamb or steer if you live in town,” Bell said. “Rabbits offer a way for kids and their parents to learn about animals and be involved in 4-H.”

Wheat began showing rabbits in 2008, when her daughter, Kirsten, then 14, became interested. On weekends, the two traveled together to shows. At home, they bonded with the rabbits and each other.

“It gave us a lot of quality time together. There were a lot of long car rides without a TV or even electronics,” Wheat said. “It brought us closer together.”

Wheat also saw a difference in her daughter, who was a natural introvert. Showing animals gave her confidence and improved her speaking abilities.

When Kirsten Wheat moved to Stephenville to attend Tarleton State University, Wheat decided to continue raising Mini Rex rabbits, which are also known for their small size and friendly personalities.

“I had made a lot of good friends at rabbit shows and decided to take over,” she said. “The rabbits make wonderful pets.”

Competitors showed more than 25 breeds of rabbits, including the Mini Rexes, which in addition to their plush coats are known for their friendly personalities and small size. Fully grown, they weigh about 4 pounds.

Nearby, Julie Gray of Eustace nuzzled a soft Lionhead rabbit, which resembled a small ball of fur. One of the newer breeds of domestic rabbits in the United States, Lionheads joined the American Rabbit Breeders Association as a recognized breed in 2014.

Gray, who shows the animals with her daughters, Jade, 12, and Jaci, 15, said Lionheads are growing in popularity as more people come to know them. The breed is friendly and easygoing but does require a great deal of grooming.

“We brush them at least twice a day,” Jade Gray said. “And even then, they shed everywhere.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Rabbit-raising helps city slickers find a place at Fort Worth Stock Show."