Luckily, breeding rabbits doesn't require talent. But there are people out there that are better then others. Here's the top 5 things that I think every on-the-top rabbit breeder must or does have:
#1: Breeding rabbits takes time. Don't expect to have a homegrown winner overnight. That could take a year or two! It takes an hour (for me, with only my 3 adults), to feed, water and handle each rabbit each day. I often spend much more time then that with them though.
#2: Breeding rabbits takes determination. Especially in Hollands. Holland Lops are a difficult breed to work with. Hollands are very delicate and commonly have digestive issues. Many won't make it to weaning. I've been lucky and haven't had a death yet - but I know each time I breed a rabbit they not make it.
#3: Breeding rabbits takes patience. Rabbits have a one-month long gestation, but when you haven't have a litter of babies for a while, the waiting can be endless! Luckily it doesn't take long until a baby goes from newborn to producing (only 7 months for does, less for bucks!).
#4: Breeding rabbits takes money. No, you don't have to be a billionaire to raise rabbits, but you have to at least have frequent pocket money for feed, hay, supplements, ect. Shows can get pretty expensive if you have a large rabbitry.
#5: Breeding rabbits takes guts. You can't be squeamish around icky things or you won't last long in the rabbit world. Rabbits die, rabbits are born, newborn bunnies aren't all that adorable - until they hit 2 weeks of course! Oh and hay and poop is constantly everywhere - and bucks have an enjoyment for spraying their owners with their urine. Hasn't happened to me yet but I can sense it will very soon.
#6 (I know, I said 5, but apparently I can't count): Breeding rabbits takes love. There's no point in doing it if we don't love it. Not all of the breeding bunny hobby will be what we love doing - just read #5. But a 2.5 week baby hopping out of the nest box for the first time, standing up on its wobbly legs, that's love. Seeing a 5 week old run after mama to get milk, that's love. Seeing a mom snuggle her 10 week old is love.
To breed rabbits, you have to enjoy the hobby. You have to love it. We have to have a certain pride in our animals that can only be achieved by the determination it takes to win a Best of Breed.
It's not all about winning. That's certainly a fun part of it all, but if you're only in it for the winning, you have a long, long road ahead of you. It takes a minimum of 5 years to produce competitive, consistently winning show stock. Depending on the lines you start with the breeder you buy from, and probably the state you live in, as well. Some states are much more competitive then others.