Lop Eared Rabbit
5 Types Of Lop Eared Rabbit
The lop eared rabbit is one of the most adorable animals that people choose to keep as pets. They are not hard to train and they can be taught to use a litter box and kept within the home. They groom themselves and if you have your pet lop eared rabbit spayed or neutered, it can live up to 10 years. This small animal requires little care and it is friendly and playful.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature on the lop eared rabbit, is the large ears. They are thick and wide and they flop along side of the head area. Out of all the domestic breeds of rabbit, they are the oldest breed and they can be traced back to the 17th century. The lop eared rabbit was originally used for meat but as time went on they became household pets. There are different types of lop eared rabbit but every type is considered small, muscular and they all have the signature floppy ears by the time they reach 4 months old.
The English lop is called the “king of the fancy” because it is the first type of lop eared rabbit. This rabbit can weigh a full 9 pounds and it has the longest ears out of all lop eared rabbit types. Usually the ears are 21 inches and they can drag on the floor along side of the rabbit. They behave well and are very smart.
The French lop is said to be the largest of the lops. It can weigh over 10 pounds but the ears are much shorter than the English lop. If it is kept outside, it will need a large hutch or area to move around in. They are friendly and have a relaxed temperament but it isn’t a good idea to have them around small children. Toddlers can accidentally harm the rabbit or the rabbit can become aggressive and bite the child.
The German lop is a small type of rabbit. The average German lop weighs around 7 pounds. The ears can flop up to 11 inches and they come in a variety of color patterns. This rabbit is muscular and has thick, course hair. It can live and be happy living indoors or outdoors and although it does have bursts of energy, it should have a hutch or specific area to rest in because this type of rabbit enjoys a certain amount of downtime.
The dwarf rabbit is one of the smallest types of lop eared rabbit. The average dwarf weighs in at around 4 pounds. The ears are relatively short and they have dense short hair. They come in a variety of colors and patters that include chinchilla, sable and seal point. They are smart and can be trained to use a litter box and they can also learn their own names and respond to them. The dwarf rabbit should probably be kept inside away from the elements.
The Holland lop is actually the smallest breed of lop eared rabbit. It weighs in at less than 4 pounds and the ears are thick and long and they drag on the ground. This type of rabbit comes in many colors and patterns and it has a stocky, muscular body. The Holland lop is known for having a sweet temperament and it is non aggressive.
If you were thinking about keeping a lop eared rabbit, you can benefit the animal by getting it a cage or hutch. Whether it lives inside or out, it will need an area to be by itself if it chooses to. Make sure to keep bedding in the cage and always offer the rabbit fresh water and food.