Meissner Lop
Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus
Also called Meissner Widder
From Meissen, Germany, from crosses of lop rabbits with silvered breeds; dated to around 1900 by one source and the late 1920s to early 1930s by another.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
UK breed page gives an ideal weight of 4-5 kg; another guide gives 7.5-10 lb (about 3.4-4.5 kg).
Coat and looks how to spot one
dense, soft silvered fur about 3 cm long; lop-eared
Looks like a lighter-built French Lop, with a compact, slightly long body, a rounded back and long ears hanging beside a rounded head. Its soft, dense coat is sprinkled with silver-tipped hairs that give it a shimmering look, something unusual among lops.312
Personality what they are like
Known for a calm, gentle nature, yet often a little livelier and more playful than other lops. It tends to enjoy attention, stroking and play sessions with its people.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily playtime and space to move around outside its sleeping area.14
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Can live indoors or outdoors. Brush the dense coat regularly, and more often during moults, and check nails routinely.1
Home where they are happiest
Welfare guidance asks for a combined shelter and exercise area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high for a pair of medium rabbits, tall enough to stand up on the back legs and long enough to stretch out fully. A spacious enclosure is a must for a rabbit of this size.41
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited hay or grass should form the bulk of the diet, with fresh water always available, plus some leafy greens and a small measured portion of pellets.41
Company who they like around
A sociable animal that should share its home with at least one compatible rabbit, plus regular gentle time with people.4
The story where it all began
The Meissner Lop comes from the area around Meissen in Saxony, where breeders crossed lop rabbits with silvered breeds to create a lop with a silvered coat. One account credits Leopold Reck around 1900, while the UK breed page places its creation in the late 1920s or early 1930s and says it reached Britain soon after.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised breed, looked after by the Rare Varieties Rabbit Club.3
- British Rabbit Council
- Listed under the Rare Varieties Rabbit Club.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Meissner Lop. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily while moultingevery week
- Nail trimevery 6 weeks
- Teeth checkTeeth never stop growingevery week
- Fresh hayUnlimited hay every dayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bottom checkCheck the fur around the tail stays clean, especially in summerevery day
- Free roamAt least 4 hours of running space a dayevery day
- VaccinationsSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Meissner Lop?
Provide unlimited fresh hay every day as the main diet, plus a daily serving of leafy greens and a small measured portion of pellets. Fresh water must always be available. Follow the food label for pellet amounts and check with your vet for any adjustments.145 Furry Diary plan
What should a Meissner Lop eat, and which foods are dangerous?
The diet should be about 85% hay or grass, 10% safe leafy greens like kale or romaine, and 5% high-fibre pellets. Dangerous foods include muesli mixes, avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, iceberg lettuce, lawnmower clippings, grapes, raisins, and xylitol. Always avoid processed human food and check with your vet for a full list.1456
Should I bathe a Meissner Lop?
Rabbits generally do not need baths and can find them stressful. If your rabbit gets dirty, spot cleaning is safer. Always consult your vet for advice on hygiene.
Does a Meissner Lop need brushing?
Yes, brush the dense coat at least once a week, and daily during heavy moulting seasons to prevent fur ingestion. Regular brushing keeps the coat healthy and reduces shedding.1 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Meissner Lop's nails and teeth?
Check and trim nails every 6 weeks or when they curl, using proper clippers. Teeth grow continuously, so offer plenty of hay to wear them down and check weekly for overgrowth. Your vet can guide you on nail care and dental health.1 Furry Diary plan
How much space and exercise does a Meissner Lop need?
A pair needs a combined shelter and run of at least 3m x 2m x 1m high, tall enough to stand up. In addition, allow at least four hours of free-roam exercise daily in a safe area.14 Furry Diary plan
Should a Meissner Lop live alone or with friends?
They are social animals and should live with at least one other friendly rabbit for companionship, plus daily gentle interaction with you. Neutering helps bonding and health.4
How long does a Meissner Lop live?
With proper care, rabbits often live 8, 12 years, but lifespan varies. Ask your vet for specific guidance on keeping your Meissner Lop healthy.
Is a Meissner Lop a good pet for children?
Their calm, gentle and playful nature makes them a lovely pet for older, supervised children. Always teach gentle handling and provide a quiet space for the rabbit to retreat.21
How do I hold a Meissner Lop?
Always support the hindquarters and back when lifting, and hold them securely against your chest. Never pick them up by the ears or scruff. For detailed handling tips, ask a good breeder or your vet.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- PetGuide: Meissner Lop petguide.comused for history, breeder, weight, coat, colours, temperament, care
- Fur & Feather: Meissner Lop furandfeather.co.ukused for origin dates, weight, colours, temperament, club
- Meissner Lop (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for BRC recognition, comparison with French Lop
- RSPCA: Rabbit environment rspca.org.ukused for space, diet, companionship
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.