If you want to show it, DO NOT get it from a pet store. Mill bred, over bred, cross bred- no body will take it in the ring. You will be lucky to find an unaltered rabbit in a rescue and as far as I know the show ring requires intact rabbits (?) Correct me if I'm wrong.
I would scrap the whole show thing because I think it's pretentious and unnecessary with hundreds of thousands of unwanted rabbits already looking for homes, without the help of the breeders.
Maybe I'm just biased because I do work with the small animal rescue here, many people just don't know what they're getting into with rabbits. And since you don't even know what the 4H is looking for, I would wait a while and do some research.
I haven't owned a male before but I have seen my roommate's male spray pee everywhere (unneutered) and I have experience with an unaltered female and a spayed female and the two were totally different pets. Breed is important only if you want a particular breed. Otherwise, they make pretty similar pets with similar health problems. Dwarfs have tooth problems, rexes have hock problems, lops have ear problems etc.... So look into that.
What else...
Oh yes, If you want to make a difference in your own life and the life of your future pet, RESCUE!!! It's the kindest option. Most small animal rescues spay-neuter before adoption and have them assessed for health and behavioural problems. It also is a better feeling to know your money has gone to save a life rather than take one because honestly (IMO) breeders take homes from unwanted pets :/
Best of luck to you
I would scrap the whole show thing because I think it's pretentious and unnecessary with hundreds of thousands of unwanted rabbits already looking for homes, without the help of the breeders.
Maybe I'm just biased because I do work with the small animal rescue here, many people just don't know what they're getting into with rabbits. And since you don't even know what the 4H is looking for, I would wait a while and do some research.
I haven't owned a male before but I have seen my roommate's male spray pee everywhere (unneutered) and I have experience with an unaltered female and a spayed female and the two were totally different pets. Breed is important only if you want a particular breed. Otherwise, they make pretty similar pets with similar health problems. Dwarfs have tooth problems, rexes have hock problems, lops have ear problems etc.... So look into that.
What else...
Oh yes, If you want to make a difference in your own life and the life of your future pet, RESCUE!!! It's the kindest option. Most small animal rescues spay-neuter before adoption and have them assessed for health and behavioural problems. It also is a better feeling to know your money has gone to save a life rather than take one because honestly (IMO) breeders take homes from unwanted pets :/
Best of luck to you