English Lop

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, smooth flyback coat; very long lopped ears

A large, long-bodied rabbit whose outline is often compared to half a mandolin, with a broad head, wide muzzle and no visible crown. Its signature is a pair of enormous, broad, well-furred ears that hang down beside the face and end in rounded, bell-like tips; show rabbits are expected to span at least 21 inches (about 53 cm) from tip to tip, and 23-25 inches is considered excellent. The short coat lies smooth and flat and springs back into place when stroked backwards, and the ear fur should feel silky.1534

Personality what they are like

A famously easy-going rabbit, often nicknamed 'the dog of the rabbit world' for its calm, people-friendly manner. It tends to be curious and playful without being highly strung, accepts careful handling well, and forms close bonds with the family it lives with.2543

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderately active. It should be let out of its enclosure every day to stretch its long legs, hop and explore, ideally in a roomy, smooth-floored area.46

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat is low maintenance: a brush or a run-over with damp hands once or twice a week, more often while moulting. Do not bath. The long ears need extra attention: look them over regularly, wipe them gently with a damp cloth to keep them clean, and trim nails so feet do not catch the ears.435

Home where they are happiest

Needs large, spacious housing to suit its size and long ears, with smooth, solid flooring and no sharp edges or wire that the ears could snag on, and protection from cold and wet. The RSPCA recommends a living space of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high for pet rabbits.536

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Unlimited grass hay such as timothy, making up roughly 70 percent of the diet, plus daily fresh leafy greens, a limited portion of pellets, small amounts of fruit as treats and constant clean water.456

Company who they like around

A social animal that enjoys company; the RSPCA advises rabbits should not live alone, so a compatible rabbit companion and daily time with its people suit this affectionate breed.65

The story where it all began

The English Lop was shaped by English breeders in the 1800s and is widely regarded as the first lop-eared breed created by people. It became a star of the Victorian fancy, when rabbits began to be kept as household pets and show animals rather than only for meat, fur or wool, and the English Lop helped make rabbit showing popular in Britain. Some writers have suggested earlier roots outside Europe, but its true starting point is unclear. The breed reached North America on trading ships in the late 1800s and was among the earliest breeds accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Crossed with continental breeds, it became the foundation of most later lops: the French Lop came from English Lop and Flemish Giant crosses, and the French Lop in turn helped create the Holland Lop and Mini Lop. In the United States the Lop Rabbit Club of America has looked after the breed since 1971.124537

Recognised by the official bits

ARBA

Recognised breed; ARBA calls it the original lop rabbit with the longest ears of any breed and sets no maximum senior weight. National club: Lop Rabbit Club of America (founded 1971, covers English and French Lops).2

ARBA

Described as one of the earliest breeds accepted by ARBA after being imported to America in the late 1800s.5

Lop Rabbit Club of America

Specialty club promoting English and French Lops since 1971.7