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Mini Lop Rabbits

Family: LeporidaePicture of a Mini lop Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Shelby
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I have a 18 month old mini lop bunny. Her coloring is broken white with brown ears, eyes, and a "beauty spot" on her left cheek. When I first got her she... (more)  Brian Dalesio

     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.

Related Video:

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.

Picture of Mini lop Rabbits
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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Latest Comments

I have a 18 month old mini lop bunny. Her coloring is broken white with brown ears, eyes, and a "beauty spot" on her left cheek. When I first got her she was about 4-5 months old. She was very skittish and I could tell she was nervous (her previous owners left her outside in a hutch all alone) Little by little she'd let me scratch behind her ears and pet her and we started to bond. Now she hops into bed with me and my girlfriend, is litter trained and follows me everywhere. She loves to give eskimo kisses. When I put my shoes on and get ready to leave, she gets upset. She stands in front of the door when I go to leave. She is the best pet I've ever had.... Her name is Bun Bun
Reply
Brian Dalesio
2010-07-20

Hi I Have a blue otter mini lop his name is ollie he is so cute.
Reply
Samantha
2010-07-03

I just got two mini lops cocoa (doe) and super buck (bucky!) (buck as you can tell by the name) My buck (bucky) is the calmer of the two and is like a pet toy breed dog, I went and got him a doggie purse so he can go with me places since he loves being around the family. I also got him a sweater from big R and we'll slowly work him into that one to see how that goes when he settles.
Reply
kayla
2010-03-27
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Where did you get your mini lop?... kara

What is your solution for using the potty in the purse? It sounds like a great idea, I see folks all over taking itty bitty dogs places camouflaged in a pet purse and the idea of taking our new pet bunnies in one is awesome.... Cassie

I recently got a holland lop for FFA and it will not let anyone hold it.
Reply
Fig
2010-04-13
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It needs more intention first go in its cage just sit there so it acknowledges that you are there. Secondly offer it food and place your hand near it then stroke it. When it is comfortable with this pick it up but stay in its hutch then take it out. When it is comfortable with you holding it introduce it to other people the same way you introduced yourself. During this process if it gets uncomfortable offer it some thing it likes eg. food, toys. After this if you have any other Rodent pets maybe introducing them might stop him being lonely which means it needs less handling so when you can't handle it, it will be occupied. I hope my advice was helpful " )... Doctor Doolittle II

Hey I like these rabbits.... Anonymous

Hi Fig,
Hope your lop is settling down a bit. All buns need time to adjust to their new homes. If it still won't let anyone hold it, don't despair. Many rabbits, some would say most, don't like being held. But they do love being pet. Try sitting on the floor with your little friend and letting it come to you. It took over a year for our bun to let us pet him! He is now 7 1/2 years old. He still loves to be pet, but he has never liked being held. Good luck with your bunny!... Judy
Some of the bestest comments - here's the beef!

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!
Reply
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.
Reply
Judy
2006-03-27
Questions - Answers

Hi, I used to have two lop eared rabbits, but they died, so i'm *hopefully* getting another once soon! I always kept my old ones in a hutch in the garage, with a big run outside that the bunnies could play in! But I'd really love to have them in the house! What I'd like to ask is, do they damage the furniture and poop all over the floor? Thanks! =]
Reply
Faye
2010-06-03
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Hi faye , you can litter train rabbits very easily using a tray with some sawdust in it, my rabbits use it as a loo even if you move it around, they might try to nibble stuff though but if you just keep shooing them away when they nibble stuff with a command like a loud clap or saying no firmly they should get the idea make sure you rabbit proof all the wire so they cant electrocute themselves if you chew on a live wire. Good luck with your new rabbit hopefully :)... jess

Not really the most damage they could do is like pee or scratch but they don't really pee a lot and we got a lop 2 days ago and it pooped 1 time the poop doesn't stick its a ball and easy to pick up. ... zach

My neighbor used to have one and it chewed down the couch legs. You can train them to go "potty" in a litterbox. That's all I know of.... Rabbit lover

Hello there, My Wife and I are avid animal lovers, Currently we have 5 guinea Pigs, and 2 Adorable rabbits.

The rabbits are both male and Female and we would like to breed them with intentions of keeping their litter for our own family.
The male rabbit is a broken Rex, age unknown and is basically our family dog, He sits and watched TV with us, He likes to dance with his stuffed "frog" animals over other Rabbit stuffed toys.
The Female is a Mini Lop rabbit and is 1 Year of age.
We want to breed the two and accepted the responsibility of breeding and being able to take care of them.
My Wife and I were curious if these 2 types of breeds can be bred with each other and what We kind of rabbits we would expect that the would re-produce with their breeds one being a mini lop and one a broken rex?

I would appreciate all feedback if possible.
Thank you!
Reply
Travis
2010-07-11

I have a holland lop for almost three weeks, he loves to be petted and doesn't want to be held at all. How am I going to cut his nails if I can't hold him?
Reply
Louisa
2010-07-07
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!

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.
Reply
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!!
Reply
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!!
Reply
tamara
2008-11-30

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