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Mini Lop Rabbits

Family: Leporidae

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Oryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Shelby

     The Mini Lop Rabbit has adorable droopy ears, making it look sweet and even a bit comical!

     Besides being so very cute, the Mini Lop Rabbit is a favorite bunny because they are so sweet and cuddly. These rabbits will stay smaller than a regular rabbit and they make a great pet for children.

     The Mini Lop Rabbit is lively and smart. Not only are they very "huggable" and playful, they are known to be successfully litter-box trained. They make great companions that like to interact and appreciate affection, and are often described as being like a pet dog.

     Both the Mini Lop and the Holland Lop are miniaturized versions of the Lop-earred Rabbit.

For more information about Rabbits and their care:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Rabbit

Background:      Mini Lops were derived from German lops called "Kleine Widder" lops, but it is thought that a variety of breeds have been used in developing the Mini Lop that is found in the United States today. Mini Lops were recognized as their own accepted breed in the United States in 1982, but neither they nor the Holland Lop are yet recognized in England.

Description:      Besides having the characteristic floppy ears, Mini Lops have a muscular build with broad shoulders, deep chests, and short, thick legs. Their adult size is generally only about 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 pounds.

Photo  © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

Color differences:      Mini Lop rabbits come in all colors.

     For showing, the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. (ARBA) and the Mini Lop Rabbit Club of America have recognized colors and guidelines.

The recognized color groups are:

• Agouti: includes chinchilla, chestnut agouti, and opal.
• Broken: which are white with colored spots and /or pattern, including tri colors.
• Ticked: these have a steel gene and ticking, colors include: gold tipped or silver tipped black/blue/chocolate/lilac steel, silver fox, sable or smoke pearl steel.
• Self group, white pointed: these are a solid color with no ticking and include includes: black, chocolate, blue, ruby eyed white, lilac, etc.
• Shaded: these show shaded markings with colors such as: seal, sable point, sable, smoke or frosted pearl, tortoise, etc.
• Wide band: includes cream, red, orange, and fawn.
• Classifications include: solid pattern and broken pattern

     There are also many colors that are not recognized (though some are in the process of becoming recognized) including: harlequin, otter, silver marten, blue seal, broken pointed white, chocolate or blue point, etc.

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My rabbit Reeses is about 3 years old. He is a Mini Lop Dwarf Siamese. Reeses have had 3 homes. He belonged to a girl in collage, then she had to sell him, and just somehow he ended up in my home.Reeses is calm and gentle. Only lops should have their ears down, but some how his ears always go up. Your famous Reeses! Kimberly 2009-10-18
My bunny 'Reese's Cup' is the awesomest bunny on Earth! He is very lovable and fun! Kimberly 2009-08-10
I have one female mini lop. I got her when she was 6 months. Her name is precious and she is now 6 years old. I got her at a shelter 5 years ago. I am obbsessed with rabbits all because of this rabbit, it was a cute lil homless bunny so we went out to get her. It took like an hour for us to get there. Last year we went to a fair and went into the small animal tent. I wanted to show my rabbit so my grandmother went up to the info tent for the 4-h club, a few months later we signed up for 4-h small animal club. We showed her in a 4-h show. She won very good in third place for female broken mini lops. That's not bad for a shelter bunny! All because of this rabbit, I have 3 now. soon to be 4! She is such a sweetheart, even though she nibbles a little, she is a sweet rabbit. She will always be my best rabbit. kaleigh 2009-07-12
I just got a mini lop last week! She is only 8 weeks old and she lives with a male guinea pig that is 2 years old. They get along very well and eat the same things. Why have a second guinea pig when you could have a mini lop live with your guinea pig! There are lots of things on the internet that say mini lops and guinea pigs should always be separated, but I disagree. They get along very well. My mini lops name is Onyxe and my guinea pigs name is charlie. They both have black fur! Sean 2009-06-20
We acquired a mini lop over a year ago. This bunny rules the house, we let her roam (she is potty trained despite a few accidents) and everyone loves her! Including my husband (she loves him too!). Spends every evening he is home next to his chair and licks his hand and plays with him. It is soooooo adorable. Best thing, other than the grandchildren, that have come into our life. rose 2009-06-09
Some of the coolest comments:
Gregory, also known as Sir Gregory of MiniLop, has been employed for a little over four years now as an Emotional Support Service Animal. He was prescribed to me as part of the treatment of Bipolar Disorder. He knows a variety of commands such as COME, NO, STAY, HOME, DINNER, DOWN, UP, and GO. He is leash and harness trained, travels very well, litter trained, polite, and friendly. However, he's still a bunny. He gets into everything and has completely stolen my heart. He's as playful and attention demanding as a puppy, yet as clean and independent as a cat. He's about 4 1/2 years old now, and I look forward to many years together yet. A bunny is perfectly suited for the work of a Service Animal, and at the same time, perfectly suited to the job of the family pet. I highly recommend a lop! Amanda & Gregory 2006-12-07
New or seasoned rabbit owners might enjoy visiting the House Rabbit Society’s website: http://www.rabbit.org. This not-for-profit organization has loads of information on healthcare, diet, chewing and other behaviours, plus lots of great photos. I found them a wonderful source of information when I first got my pet rabbit, a mini lop named Mischief. The information helped us over some tricky parts, especially his adolescence. At over three years of age, he is now a fully mature, wonderful friend. I can’t imagine life without him. The Make Mine Chocolate Campaign, http://www.makeminechocolate.org/, provides, among other things, ideas for gifts for Easter other than live rabbits. If you want to understand more of what your bun is trying to tell you, then visit The Language of Lagomorphs, http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html. Judy 2006-03-27
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Our mum read this information and decided that it would be a great rabbit for us as they are good for children. thanks for the info. Very useful. maisie and neev 2009-04-28
Thank you for posting Rabbits on your site! I am in a 4-H club and I needed an animal to show. I live in a gated community out by a lake, and I only have four acres. My 4-H friends were recommending all sorts of animals, like pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats. I already have two dogs (both I can't train this late in their lives) and a cat (same as the dogs, too old to train). Then my friends sister Myca showed me her rabbit and I fell in love. I decided to get a rabbit this Spring. I have been doing my research, and a Mini Lop is the one for me. I can't wait until I get one, I'm hoping for a BIG doe. The names I have picked out are: Spencer, Choxie, Devi, Demi, or (if I get a Broken Black or Broken Brown) Moolatte. Thank you, Animal World!! Delaney G. 2008-12-22
Hi, I have a White mini lop with black spots.His name is kisses I got him about 2 years ago and he is a great addition to our family. Your site has helped me so much, Thank you!! tamara 2008-11-30

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