English Lop Rabbit: First Of All Lop Ear Rabbits With The Longest Ears

Aren't you reminded of a familiar childhood character whenever you see a Lop Ear Rabbit? We'd often reminisce about Dumbo the elephant and his struggles with his unusually large ears— Just one of the many reasons we share as much love for large droopy ears on a bunny. As opposed to actually being sad, lop ear Rabbits are known to be a rather playful bunch.

Just how and which breed did these adorable ears come from?

The English Lop

The English Lop Rabbit is the first breed of lop eared rabbits in the world, and also one of the oldest domestic breed of rabbits. They were first developed in England during the 19^th century through selective breeding, for the purpose of increasing popularity of rabbits as household pets, rather than for wool, fur and meat production.

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The following of French Lops was developed by breeding a Flemish Giant (both amongst giant Rabbit breeds) and English Lop, and the dwarf sized Lop ear breed Holland Lop was bred from a French Lop and a Netherland Dwarf. As breeders began to take notice of the English Lop Rabbit, so did the demands for small fancy Pets increase— all of which happened during the Victorian Era.

Fun Fact #1     The long, huge ears of the English Lop Rabbits were said to help them better adapt them in the harsh climates of Algeria, North Africa. The large ears lose body heat and kept these Lop eared bunnies breezy and cool.

Appearance Of An English Lop

Size — An English Lop is a relatively large rabbit. Adult Females weigh 4 to 6 kgs, and adult Males 4 to 5 kgs. They have a medium build body the shape of a mandolin.

Features — The most distinctive feature of them all: Long, forward-facing, silky furred ears. These ears should be broad in the middle, and rounded at the ends. Most English Lop Rabbits have ears that measure 60 to 70 cm from tip to tip when panned out.

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Form — Rounded hinds and sloped back carry a broad head that sits low.

Colours — Includes White, Black, Fawn, Sooty-Fawn, Blue and Broken with White.

Fun Fact #2      The English Lop isn'tt just the founding breed to all Lop Ear Rabbits, they also hold the title for the longest lop ears amongst all breeds! 

Grooming Requirments For An English Lop

Due to their large ears, the English Lop requires a bit more attention on cleaning of their ears as these delicate ears are more prone to infections. Nails should constantly be checked upon to make sure they are not long, this prevents accidental damage to their soft ears as they groom themselves. English Lops have short, soft roll-back fur that is not difficult to maintain, brushing once a week should do the trick.

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Rabbits have long been known as fastidious creatures when it comes to self-grooming, and it is highly advised against giving them a bath in water. Being highly susceptible to cold, water baths could also be very stressful for Rabbits. To clean off soiled areas (especially for Rabbits with bad toilet habits)— use a damp cloth to spot clean those areas, including paws. Towel dry them very thoroughly after.

 Personality Of An English Lop 

English Lop Rabbits are known to be not only curious and playful, they are also friendly and laid-back as they feel like so. Being termed as the Dogs in the Rabbit kingdom, you can expect a docile and affectionate companion. However, one must not dismiss the fact that these domesticated bunnies still harbor their primary prey instincts.

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Be patient and gentle when handling your Rabbits— establish a close bond over time to gain trust and allow them to familiarize with you and their surroundings. Adult supervision should be exercised at all times when a Child is handling your Rabbit, skittish or aggressive behaviour may be displayed when Rabbits are stressed. A happy Bun has an average lifespan of 5 to 7 years or more, with a whole lot of binkys to witness!

Learn more about a Rabbit’s behaviour here.

Rabbit Housing And Feed

Hygiene — It is extremely important to keep your Rabbits home clean. Regular change of food, water, bedding and litter is needed. Clean out their litter trays daily, and check for any soiled bedding— you don’t want your bunnies to be sitting in their own waste, that could lead up to serious infections.

Litter — If you chose wire flooring, make sure you have a solid area for the bunnies to rest their feet. If you have a solid flooring cage or living space, ensure your bunnies are litter trained, you can do so by introducing a litter pan— filled with litter (i.e. wood based pellets). Use feeding hay to entice them.

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Bedding & Toys — A good thick bedding of hay is recommended for it has been said that their feet are prone to develop sores. Always ensure that the bedding and litter trays are clear of fecal waste that are hard (Rabbits are known to eat their first batch of softer fecal matter because they are still packed with nutrients). Provide ample space so your English Lop Rabbit can move about and not step on their own ears! Additionally, a nice hiding spot could work as a shade and sleeping area, away from drafts as they are rather vulnerable to cold. Avoid Pine and Cedar wood, for they cause respiratory problems for small Pets and animals.  Wooden chew toys are handy to prevent their teeth from getting overgrown.

Feed — Hay has multiple uses, it is also an important, staple food source for rabbits. Invest in quality hay to provide your Rabbits with much required fiber, aside from food pellets and greens. Note to only introduce greens to rabbits above 8 weeks of age. Fruits can also be given in tiny proportions as an occasional snack or treat.

You might also be interested in:

Is My Rabbit Is Sick?: 10 Tell Tale Signs And Quick Solutions

What Is My Rabbit Thinking?: Understanding Your Rabbit's Behaviour

Can Rabbits Eat These?: Rabbit-Friendly Vegetables And Fruits

Rabbit Life Hacks: Ten Useful And Easy Life Hacks For Bunny Owners

Your Stories Can Be Heard Too

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Disclaimer

This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals.

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