The English Lop is a distinctive domestic breed prized for its dramatic, long ears and calm, affectionate nature. Developed in 1800s England as a Victorian fancy, this large, gentle animal often earns the nickname “the dog of the rabbit world.”
Adults typically weigh about 9–15 lb and have short, silky fur in many ARBA-recognized colors. Ear spans can reach impressive lengths; the Guinness World Record stands at over 31 inches.
Care is straightforward but essential: generous space, daily enrichment, a high-fiber diet led by hay, fresh water, weekly grooming, and careful ear checks to prevent injuries or infection. These animals thrive with steady routines and a bonded companion.
This guide offers a practical, up-to-date overview of history, standards, temperament, housing, nutrition, grooming, and health. For a full breed profile and adoption resources, see this detailed guide on english lop rabbit breeds.
Key Takeaways
- Iconic ears: a defining trait that needs regular attention.
- Gentle nature: best for adults and patient families.
- Size and coat: 9–15 lb with short, silky fur.
- Care basics: space, hay-based diet, exercise, and grooming.
- Social needs: happier with a bonded companion.
- Lifespan: roughly 5–7 years with preventive care.
Meet the English Lop Rabbit: What Makes This Breed Unique Today
This historic breed stands out for its dramatic, pendulous ears and large, graceful frame. Bred in 1800s England as a fancy show animal, english lops remain prized for both looks and temperament.
They are a big breed, typically 9–15 lb, with a broad head, wide nose, and a long, mandolin-like body. The deep, rounded hindquarters give the body a smooth, elongated outline that judges and owners admire.
Ears reach near-full length by about five months. In some males the head keeps maturing, and ears may add a little more length after that. Owners should expect careful handling during growth.
Temperament is a key draw: calm, curious, and friendly. These animals often act like steady companions and do well with adults and older children who understand gentle handling.
- Care note: their size and ears need extra space and low-impact exercise.
- Ear awareness: watch for dragging, snagging, or bumps during play and transitions.
- Family fit: best for patient caretakers and supervised older kids.
Historically influential, the lop rabbit helped shape later lop breeds and still holds a special place among small-animal enthusiasts. The next sections will cover history, standards, housing, diet, and health in practical detail.
History and Origins of the English Lop
In the 1800s, breeders in England shaped a dramatic lop-eared type that changed how people viewed small animals. Selective breeding produced one of the first true “fancy” breeds, prized for show halls and parlor life.
From Victorian “fancy” breed to beloved pet in the United States
Public interest in animal exhibitions made these animals stars of the show world. People began to keep them as companions, not just stock animals.
The trend crossed the Atlantic, and by the late 19th and early 20th centuries the breed had found fans in the United States. Enthusiasts valued the calm temperament and striking silhouette.
How English Lops helped create other breeds
Breeders crossed these lops with flemish giant stock to develop the french lop, a larger companion and show type.
Later, the french lop contributed to smaller hybrids. When mixed with Netherland Dwarfs, that line helped produce the compact Holland Lop.
Across decades, these genetic moves shaped many modern rabbit breeds and the wider family of lops around the world.
- Victorian selective breeding raised aesthetics and companionship roles.
- Crosses with flemish giant stock led to the french lop development.
- Ongoing stewardship by show communities balances standards and welfare.
Legacy: Understanding this history helps people care for these animals wisely over the years.
Appearance and Breed Standards: Ears, Body, and Colors
The breed’s silhouette is ruled by dramatic, pendulous ears that define both form and care needs. These large ears often measure between 27 and 32 inches tip to tip. The Guinness World Record stands at 31.125 inches (Nipper’s Geronimo, 2003).
Record-breaking ears and growth
Ears generally finish growing by about five months. Bucks may add roughly an extra inch as the head broadens with maturity.
Size, head, and body
Conformation favors a broad skull and wide nose to balance those long ears. The body has a deep, rounded hindquarter and strong shoulders, creating a half-mandolin profile.
Typical size ranges help plan space and handling: males usually weigh about 9–12 lb and females about 10–15 lb.
Fur and color varieties
Coat is short, smooth, and silky, with especially delicate fur on the ears that needs gentle handling. ARBA accepts solids and brokens in many shades, including black, blue, chinchilla, fawn/orange, tort patterns, and Red Eyed White.
- Ear span benchmarks: 27–32 inches typical, 31.125 inches world record.
- Conformation cues: broad head, wide nose, deep body, balanced ear set.
- Care note: large ears demand housing adjustments to prevent snagging or damage.
Temperament and Suitability: Calm “dogs of the rabbit world”
When home life stays calm, these pets show an even, outgoing nature. They are affectionate, curious, and usually unflappable in predictable environments. Sudden movements or loud noises frighten them, so quiet spaces work best.
Best matches and family guidance
They suit adults and older children who know how to respect a small spine. Many young kids want to pick up an animal; most rabbits dislike being lifted. Supervised visits teach children to sit on the floor and let the pet approach.
Social needs and bond building: These animals thrive in pairs. A neutered male with a neutered female often forms a calm, harmonious bond and avoids dominance problems.
- Slow introductions in neutral space reduce stress.
- Watch ears and posture—those are clear signals of comfort or worry.
- Daily gentle floor time, tunnels, low platforms, and foraging toys provide healthy stimulation.
With patient routines and gentle handling, an English Lop rewards owners with steady, dog-like companionship. They still need daily interaction and mental enrichment to stay happy and avoid behavior problems.
Housing and Daily Care: Hutch, Cage, Bedding, and Enrichment
A roomy, safe home is the foundation for healthy, happy lops. Pick a large hutch or indoor housing that lets the animal move forward without trampling ears. Attach a secure run for daily exercise and play.
Indoor vs. outdoor setups
Use solid-bottom cages to protect feet; if a wire floor exists, add thick resting boards to prevent sore hocks. For outdoor use, choose raised, weatherproof hutches and block drafts.
Bedding and cleanliness
Opt for soft, absorbent bedding such as hay or fleece. Avoid dusty wood shavings that can irritate lungs.
Cleaning routine: remove soiled bedding and old food every three days and perform a deeper clean once a week with a small-animal-safe disinfectant.
Exercise and mental stimulation
Provide an exercise run or a safe indoor play area. Low-impact enrichment—dig boxes, tunnels, and chew-safe toys—encourages natural behavior without risking ear injuries.
- Every day floor time helps prevent boredom.
- Arrange doorways and pathways to avoid pinching or snagging the ear tip.
Climate and water safety
Large ears make these animals vulnerable to cold and frostbite. In winter, add extra straw and keep hutches off the ground. In heat, ensure shade and cool surfaces.
Make sure water is always available via a bottle or a heavy, tip-proof bowl indoors; bottles are safer outdoors in freezing weather to avoid wet ears freezing.
- Recommend: roomy primary enclosure plus secure run for daily exercise.
- Flooring: solid-bottom cage or added resting boards.
- Bedding: hay or fleece; clean every three days; deep clean weekly.
Nutrition and Grooming: Hay, Pellets, Water, and Weekly Care
Daily food choices focus on unlimited grass hay, measured pellets, and a steady supply of fresh water. Aim to offer a pile of timothy hay about the size of your pet’s body every day to support gut motility and dental wear.
Pellets and greens: Provide quality pellets in a controlled portion and rotate leafy greens slowly. For large adults, caretakers often adjust pellet amounts (some use close to two cups; others stick to more conservative rations) while watching body condition.
Water delivery: Offer constant fresh water in a bottle or a heavy, tip-proof ceramic bowl. For long lop ears, place bowls low on a non-slip mat so the ear tip doesn’t dip into the water.
- Limit treats and avoid starchy or gas-prone foods.
- Spot-clean fur instead of bathing; no baths are needed.
- Groom weekly, brush every few days, trim nails, and check feet and ears.
Make sure feeding and grooming items sit near or inside the cage so the animal moves confidently between food, water, and hiding spots. Track weight and appetite to spot early problems and see a rabbit-savvy vet if ear or eye issues appear.
Health and Lifespan: Common Problems, Prevention, and Vet Care
A steady schedule of checks, grooming, and vet visits is the best defense against breed-specific health risks. Regular attention helps catch minor issues early and keeps pets comfortable.
Ear care and routine checks
Prioritize ear inspections weekly for wax, odor, redness, or small injuries. Gently clean only as directed by your vet to avoid damage to the thin ear skin.
Trim toenails regularly so accidental scratching does not break the delicate ear tip. Early action prevents infections and painful wounds.
Vaccines and serious diseases
Work with a rabbit-savvy vet on an annual plan that includes vaccines for myxomatosis and RHD where available.
Watch for signs of E. cuniculi—head tilt, unsteady gait, or hindlimb weakness—and seek prompt care if symptoms appear.
Feet, weight, and environmental risks
Prevent hock sores by avoiding wire floors; add resting boards or pads in any cage or hutch with wire. Keep bedding clean and dry to reduce flystrike risk.
Monitor weight with a hay-forward diet and limited pellets. These large lops can gain weight when activity is low.
Practical daily habits
- Check rear fur daily in warm months; maggots can appear within days.
- Use bottles in freezing weather to avoid wet ears and icy water.
- Keep shade and fresh water available when temperatures exceed safe limits.
Lifespan: With proactive care, many of these pets live about 5–7 years. Routine exams, dental checks, and prompt treatment of any health problems extend quality time together.
Conclusion
Calm, large-boned lops offer steady companionship and clear care needs tied to their dramatic ears. The english lop rabbit is known for huge ears, short fur, and a 5–7 year lifespan. These traits shape daily choices from cage layout to food and hay portions.
Keep a roomy enclosure with solid-bottom areas, daily exercise, constant fresh water, and a hay-first menu. Groom weekly, skip baths, and check ear tips and nails gently to avoid injury.
Best for adults and older children, english lops thrive as bonded pairs and reward careful handling with calm, dog-like affection. Protect the large ears from snagging or soaking by arranging pathways and low toys.
Ready to learn more? See a detailed care guide at detailed care guide and explore breed profiles at rabbit breeds before bringing one home.
FAQ
What makes English lop rabbits stand out from other breeds?
How large can their ears grow and are there records for tip-to-tip length?
Are these lops a good fit for families with children?
Should I keep them indoors or outdoors?
What kind of cage or hutch do they need?
What should their daily diet include?
How often do they need grooming and what about bathing?
Are ear infections common and how are they prevented?
What serious diseases should owners watch for?
How can I protect their feet and prevent obesity?
What is the typical lifespan and how do I extend it?
How do I manage water delivery given their long ears?
Can this type of lop breed with other breeds like the French lop or Flemish giant?
How often should I clean their living area and what bedding is best?
What enrichment and play do they need each day?
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