When it comes to lop eared rabbit breeds, even the most hard-hearted of us have to soften a bit. Their amazing “cuteness” makes them look almost like a stuffed animal. But these little creatures are very likely to make you fall in love with them right away. Canvas Personalized Blog has all the information you could ever desire on these magical critters! Read on right now!
What Are Floppy Eared Bunny Breeds?
Large, floppy ears are a telltale sign of this rabbit breed. Any rabbit can experience the occasional drooping of an ear, and it’s not unusual for both ears to flop at once. The ears of a Lop-eared rabbit, however, are always positioned in this downward posture.
There are 305 distinct breeds of rabbits that are kept as pets. Lop-eared rabbits are not rare. But only around 15 percent of these rabbit breeds are classified as such by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) or the British Rabbit Council (BRC). Despite their widespread popularity among pet rabbit keepers, lop-eared rabbits may require special care for their distinctive ears. Since their ears are prone to dirt buildup, it’s essential to regularly clean them on the inside and outside.
The 6 Loveliest Lop Eared Rabbit Breeds To Put On Your List
1. French Lop
- Weight: 10-20 pounds
- Lifespan: 5+ years
- Color: Brown, Fawn, Blue, Black, White, Chocolate, and Light Grey
- Average price: $75
Among lop eared rabbit breeds, the French Lop Bunny is the largest. The English Lop and the Flemish Giant were crossed to make them, so it’s no surprise their size.
Although it has a big frame, the French Lop rabbit is quite laid back and peaceful. It takes a lot of room for these bunnies to thrive. A caged environment is bad for their health.
Moreover, there are several risks associated with owning a French Lop rabbit. They’re much bigger than regular pet rabbits but easily frightened. Put another way, if they are too frightened, they risk having a heart attack and dying. Overall, they are a gorgeous rabbit breed with adorable lop ears and luxurious hair.
2. Holland Lop
- Weight: 2-4 pounds
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
- Color: Fawn, Blue, Gray, Brown, and White
- Average price: $20 to $400
The Holland Lop is a popular lop eared rabbit breed in the US and the UK. This is probably because they are small and have floppy ears without being overly lengthy.
These rabbits are popular pets partly because of the diversity of colors and patterns. They also make great pets because they are calm and easy to take care of. Even though all rabbits are fast, the Holland Lop breed is the quickest and most agile. However, as a chewing species, they require toys they may gnaw on. They’ll start chewing on other things around them if they don’t.
3. American Fuzzy Lop
- Weight: 3-4 pounds
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Color: Brown, Chocolate, Lavender, Black, Fawn, and White
- Average price: $100 – $200
The American Fuzzy Lop Bunny is a popular breed of floppy eared bunny that looks a lot like the Holland Lop in many ways. People like these pets because they are soft and fuzzy, and their ears hang down. This lop-eared bunny is also well-known because of how its face is shaped. Its nose looks more like that of a housecat than like the typical wedge-shaped face of a rabbit. Because they are so tiny and beautiful, these creatures make great pets.
These rabbits are lively and playful. It’s ideal as a pet for young kids since it loves being around family. As a sociable creature, it enjoys being petted and carried about. It can amuse itself for hours with a plastic ball or a piece of wood, two of its favorite toys.
4. Mini Lop (Dwarf Lop)
- Weight: 3.5-6.5 pounds
- Lifespan: 4-10 years
- Color: Brown, Grey, Fawn, Black, White and Multi-colored
- Average price: $30 – $100
A German Lop was crossed with a smaller Chinchilla rabbit to create the first Mini Lop rabbits. But over time, they also had babies with other rabbits, which is how the modern Mini Lop came to be.
Since the Mini Lop and the Holland Lop seem similar, they must sometimes be corrected. Mini Lop Bunnies tend to be larger. And their owners sometimes claim that the two breeds are different in temperament.
Because of its small size and adorable floppy ears, the mini lop-eared rabbit is a popular pet. This bunny is kind and friendly, and its short, fluffy fur is a plus. They make fantastic pets since they’re warm and pleasant to those who care for them.
This lop eared rabbit breed is easy to take care of. According to the Mini Lop Rabbit Club of America, these rabbits have fewer demanding housing requirements than the larger ones. People often keep these lops as house rabbits.
5. English Lop
- Weight: 9-11 pounds
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Color: Black orange/fawn, Agouti/opal, Chinchilla (grey), White, and Blue
- Average price: $50 – $75
The English Lop is the original lop rabbit with the longest ears of any rabbit breed. This breed provided the foundation for the development of other lopped varieties, including the French Lop and the Miniature Lop. It was bred in the early 19th century for use as pets throughout the Victorian era. The English Lop can weigh 11 pounds when fully grown, making it about the same size as a small dog or cat.
People also like the English Lop because it is a calm and docile rabbit. That’s why they’re perfect for adults and kids. The “Dog of the Rabbit World” moniker comes from this breed’s peaceful demeanor and laid-back personality.
6. Miniature Lion Lop
- Weight: 3-3.5 pounds
- Lifespan: Up to 17 years
- Color: Gray, Agouti, White, Black, and Chocolate
- Average price: $30 – $200
The Mini Lion Lop is a good choice for people who want a smaller floppy eared bunny. This rabbit is also known for its mane, a tuft of fur that grows all over its head except above its nose. This makes them look like very unique lions, which people love.
A Mini Lion Lop rabbit is exceptionally outgoing and gregarious. It hates cages that make it hard to play with other rabbits. It likes to roam around and play with toys. Because it is so active, it needs little space, such as crates and holes, to exercise its curiosity.
How To Care Lop-Eared Rabbits
In addition to the basic care that all rabbits need, lop-eared rabbits need extra ear care. Injuries to the ears and infections within them are prevalent due to their size, folding position, and fragile nature. However, with the appropriate care, these issues can be easily prevented.
They need a varied diet that includes pellets, fresh produce, and hay. About 80% or more of the lop eared rabbit‘s food should be fresh hay, dried grass like timothy hay, orchard grass, or oat hay. Avoid alfalfa hay because it’s so rich. Due to their highly delicate digestive systems, rabbits require a slow and steady transition to hay or pellets, as well as the introduction of new fruits and vegetables.
How Much Money Would It Take?
Expect to pay $20–$40 for a rabbit from a pet store and $5–$20 for one from a rescue center, a pet fair, or a 4-H club adoption. Obviously, breeders charge different prices for each type of rabbit they sell. It’s not uncommon for a breeder’s price to be lower than a pet store’s, while others will charge closer to $100 for a rare breed. There are show rabbits and breeding rabbits with champion bloodlines, which will cost more than regular rabbits due to their superior bloodlines.
| Name | Location | Website | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Clover Rabbitry | Washington | bluecloverrabbitry.com | (509) 230-8387 |
| Heather’s Rabbitry | Pennsylvania | heathersrabbitry.com | (717) 314-2144 |
| Sunshine Rabbitry | Michigan | sunshinerabbitry.com | (248) 515-2877 |
>> Other related articles that you may be interested in:
- Why Lionhead Rabbit Breed Is the Best Pet: A Comprehensive Guide
- Get to Know the Havana Rabbit: Characteristics, Care, and More
The endearing appearance of lop-eared rabbits is one reason for their popularity. All of them have the same adorable soft and long ears. Moreover, they can be trained to behave in the house and outside their cage. After reading our article, Canvas Personalized Blog hopes you’ll know which lop eared rabbit breed to get as a pet.
