FAQ
BIS silver tan
Can I show my pet mouse/mice?
The short answer to this is no. No matter where you obtained your pet from, it is extremely unlikely that it will even approach the standard required to be competitive at an NMC show. Just as you would not expect a “mutt” to win Crufts, you could not expect a pet mouse to win BIS. There are so many details that separate a winner from an also-ran that a mouse not purposely bred and selected for exhibition just can’t compete. Classes are only intended for exhibition quality animals.
How do I get in touch with breeders?
When you join the NMC you will receive a yearbook with the contact details of NMC members, as well as adverts from the more active exhibitors.
Is there a show near me?
Details of shows are published in the NMC News, the monthly newsletter of the NMC (available on subscription). Locations and dates are also published on the NMC website.
Do I have to be an NMC member to visit a show?
No, you are welcome to visit an NMC show even if you are not a member. Most shows are free to attend, however some larger shows held in conjunction with other events do charge an entry fee (for example agricultural shows). If you do attend a show to gauge whether the mouse fancy is for you, be sure to introduce yourself to the show secretary and/or the NMC Secretary, who will introduce you to some breeders and try to answer any questions you might have.
Do I have to be an NMC member to exhibit at a show?
If the show is an NMC affiliated show you must be a member of the NMC in order to win any NMC prizes (such as rosettes and trophies) but technically you don't have to be a member just to exhibit. There are other clubs who hold open shows, such as The London & Southern Counties Mouse & Rat Club (LSCMRC) who hold monthly shows in Enfield, London and at their new venue in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire.
How many cages will I need if I breed to exhibit?
There is no absolute answer to this question – it depends on how many varieties you want to keep, whether the varieties you choose are complementary to each other and what those varieties are. It is generally accepted that a smaller stud can be maintained for selfs than for other varieties, marked mice taking up the most space. To give a rough idea, plan on a single “box” (the name many fanciers use instead of cage, because breeding boxes are often home-made using wood) measuring roughly 18 x 12 inches housing a doe and her litter or a breeding trio. You would need approximately 30 adults or more in order to breed and show a self variety regularly, with that number increasing for varieties that produce showable mice less consistently e.g. marked mice (where many fanciers have kept hundreds).
The short answer to this is no. No matter where you obtained your pet from, it is extremely unlikely that it will even approach the standard required to be competitive at an NMC show. Just as you would not expect a “mutt” to win Crufts, you could not expect a pet mouse to win BIS. There are so many details that separate a winner from an also-ran that a mouse not purposely bred and selected for exhibition just can’t compete. Classes are only intended for exhibition quality animals.
How do I get in touch with breeders?
When you join the NMC you will receive a yearbook with the contact details of NMC members, as well as adverts from the more active exhibitors.
Is there a show near me?
Details of shows are published in the NMC News, the monthly newsletter of the NMC (available on subscription). Locations and dates are also published on the NMC website.
Do I have to be an NMC member to visit a show?
No, you are welcome to visit an NMC show even if you are not a member. Most shows are free to attend, however some larger shows held in conjunction with other events do charge an entry fee (for example agricultural shows). If you do attend a show to gauge whether the mouse fancy is for you, be sure to introduce yourself to the show secretary and/or the NMC Secretary, who will introduce you to some breeders and try to answer any questions you might have.
Do I have to be an NMC member to exhibit at a show?
If the show is an NMC affiliated show you must be a member of the NMC in order to win any NMC prizes (such as rosettes and trophies) but technically you don't have to be a member just to exhibit. There are other clubs who hold open shows, such as The London & Southern Counties Mouse & Rat Club (LSCMRC) who hold monthly shows in Enfield, London and at their new venue in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire.
How many cages will I need if I breed to exhibit?
There is no absolute answer to this question – it depends on how many varieties you want to keep, whether the varieties you choose are complementary to each other and what those varieties are. It is generally accepted that a smaller stud can be maintained for selfs than for other varieties, marked mice taking up the most space. To give a rough idea, plan on a single “box” (the name many fanciers use instead of cage, because breeding boxes are often home-made using wood) measuring roughly 18 x 12 inches housing a doe and her litter or a breeding trio. You would need approximately 30 adults or more in order to breed and show a self variety regularly, with that number increasing for varieties that produce showable mice less consistently e.g. marked mice (where many fanciers have kept hundreds).