At a glance the quick version
Ideal weight about 1.5 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-length normal fur with a woolly mane; small lop-eared body
A small lop-eared rabbit wearing a Lionhead-style ruff. The soft woolly mane, around 5-7 cm long, circles the head and runs into a V behind the neck, often with a bib on the chest, while the rest of the coat is soft and of medium length.31
Personality what they are like
An active, playful and sociable little rabbit that is generally friendly and easy to get along with. It enjoys company and plenty to do.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Lively and playful, so it needs daily free time in a safe, roomy space with toys and things to explore.34
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Comb the mane gently about once a week to keep it free of tangles, and groom daily while the rabbit is moulting.3
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.4
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.4
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.43
The story where it all began
English breeder Jane Bramley spent around five years crossing Mini Lops with Lionheads to fix a small, maned lop. The breed was recognised by the British Rabbit Council in the mid-2000s, and in 2007 she founded the Lion Lops UK club, which held its first show at Stafford that June.213
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The mane gene is dominant, so a rabbit can carry a single or a double mane depending on how many copies it inherits.1
- 2
Double-maned babies are nicknamed 'gremlins' because of the V-shaped tuft of fur on their backs.1
- 3
The Lionhead mane was the first major new fur mutation in rabbits since the Satin coat of the 1930s.3
- 4
Its creator drew on her earlier experience developing the Mini Lop in the UK.2
Recognised by the official bits
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised breed; sources give 2004 or 2006 as the year.1
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognition dated to 2004 by this source.3
- ARBA
- Not recognised.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Miniature Lion Lop. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingLong wool mats quicklyevery day
- Wool trimevery 8 weeks
- 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
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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.
- Miniature Lion Lop (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition, weight, colours, mane genetics, club
- Fur & Feather: Miniature Lion Lop furandfeather.co.ukused for history, Jane Bramley, first show
- Bunnyhugga: Miniature Lion Lop (UK) bunnyhugga.comused for recognition year, mane, colours, temperament, grooming, fun fact
- RSPCA: Rabbit environment rspca.org.ukused for space, diet, companionship
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.