Miniature Lop facts for kids
The Miniature Lop is a type of domestic rabbit that is officially recognized in the UK by the British Rabbit Council (BRC). It's easy to get confused because people in the UK often call it the Mini Lop for short. However, it's actually a different breed from the Mini Lop that is recognized in the US by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). The Miniature Lop from the UK is most like the Holland Lop found in the US. It also shares similarities with other small rabbit breeds.
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Discovering the Miniature Lop's History
The Miniature Lop is a fairly new rabbit breed in Britain. It came from the first dwarf lop rabbits developed in the Netherlands during the 1970s. In the US, these original rabbits are now called Holland Lops. But in the Netherlands, they are still known as Miniature Lops.
A Dutch rabbit breeder named Adriann de Cock is often given credit for creating the dwarf lop breeds. He started this work in late 1949. He crossed a French Lop, which is a very large lop-eared rabbit, with the tiny Netherland Dwarf. After many years of hard work, he managed to create the smallest lop-eared breeds. The first Holland Lops, weighing about 2 to 2.5 kg (4.4 to 5.5 lb), were shown in 1964.
In 1970, Adriann de Cock helped start the Holland Lop breed society in the Netherlands. This group of 12 breeders aimed to breed Holland Lops even smaller, down to 1.5 kg (3.3 lb). Ten years later, in 1980, these smaller Holland Lops were brought to Britain. George Scott of Yorkshire imported them through a contact in the Netherlands. After more years of careful breeding, focusing on the smallest rabbits, a new breed was created. This new breed was named the Miniature Lop. It was officially recognized by the British Rabbit Council in 1994. The maximum weight allowed for this breed is 1.6 kg (3.5 lb).
How Much Do Miniature Lops Weigh?
Miniature Lops have specific weight guidelines.
| Ideal Weight | Maximum Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.2–1.5 kg (2 lb 10 oz – 3 lb 5 oz) | 1.6 kg (3 lb 8 oz) |
| Junior (under 5 months) | 3.0 lbs |
Female Miniature Lops usually grow a bit larger than the males.
What Does a Miniature Lop Look Like?
Miniature Lops have distinct features that make them special.
Coat
Their fur should be thick and long. It should roll back smoothly when you stroke it, and have many guard hairs. Their legs and paws should also be well covered with fur.
Head, Crown, and Eyes
The head of a Miniature Lop is strong, wide, and well-developed. The side view of the head shows a strong curve. There should be good space between their eyes, full cheeks, and a wide nose area. Their eyes are bold, bright, and large. The base of their ears should look noticeable across the top of their head, forming what is called the "crown."
Ears
The ears should be wide, thick, and have plenty of fur. They should be rounded at the ends. When carried correctly, they hang close to the cheeks. This gives the rabbit's face a horseshoe shape when you look at it from the front. You should not be able to see the inside of their ears from any angle if they are carried properly.
Miniature Lop Colors
Miniature Lops come in many beautiful colors, including:
- Agouti
- Black
- Blue
- Brown
- Butterfly
- Chinchilla
- Fawn
- Fox
- Opal
- Orange
- Sable Marten
- Sealpoint
- Siamese Sable
- Siamese Smoke
- Sooty Fawn
- Steel
- White
How Long Do Miniature Lops Live?
Miniature Lops usually live for about 7 to 14 years. However, if they are cared for very well, some can even live up to 18 years!
Images for kids
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A fawn colored Miniature Lop - Front View
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A fawn colored Miniature Lop - Side View
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A fawn colored Miniature Lop - Stood Up
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A grey colored Miniature Lop - Front view
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A grey colored Miniature Lop
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A four-month-old Miniature Lop
