French Lops are active and sociable bunnies. They love and thrive on interaction with humans, as well as with other rabbits. They are a durable and normally even-tempered rabbit that is a popular breed for children.

This breed is able to live indoors or out, as long as there is adequate shelter. French Lops are playful and need some simple toys to keep them occupied. They usually live to be 5 to 7 years old. This breed tends to have large litters, sometimes with as many as twelve offspring.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Lagomorpha
Family:Leporidae
Genus:Oryctolagus
Species:cuniculus

Background

   The French Lop’s origins go back to about 1850. It was then that the English Lop and the Butterfly rabbit were crossed in France. The French Lop became wildly popular throughout Europe, but it wasn’t introduced to the United States until the early 1970s.
   Today, the French Lop breed continues to flourish. Breeders can be located with ease.

Description

   The French Lop weighs, on average, 10 pounds. Its body is large and muscular, and its legs somewhat short. The head is broad, and the ears medium-length, thick and furry. Its soft, dense fur comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Color differences

   There are nineteen acceptable show colors for the French Lop. These include black, gray, chinchilla, and sooty-fawn. Patterns include agouti, broken, pointed white, self, shaded and solid.

Availability

   French Lop rabbit breeders can be located in most areas. Prices are usually in the $40 to $50 range, but may be less for non-show quality rabbits.

Sources
 

Featured Image Credit: Timothy Liu Kaihui, Shutterstock