Barton's Big Bunnies

History of English Lops

 

The English Lop is one of the oldest breeds of domestic rabbits known to man. Its origin was in the hot and humid area of Africa, known as the Algiers, where winters were only 60 degrees F and the summers got into the high 90's. The heat of the equatorial Africa had a big impact on the development of the English Lop, especially on their ears. Egyptian hieroglyphics show pictures of English Lops, which is proof that the king of the fancy has been around for a long time. Of course the term "English" comes from that England adopted the breed and domesticated it for show. The breed also became another big hit in Germany. In the 1800's and early 1900's the English Lop became a such a superior breed in Europe that riots broke out at shows when a breed other than an English Lop was given the title Best in Show. And thus the title of "King of the Fancy" was given to the English Lop, which is so rightfully deserved.

In 1914, the National Pet Stock (now known as the ARBA, or the American Rabbit Breeders Association) adopted the English Lop as its 15th breed. English Lops in the 1900's were bred specifically for their ears. European breeders would raise their English in over heated buildings with heat lamps, waxing, and even ironing their ears to produce the longest ears length ever seen. This also had an unfavorable effect on the English Lop. Since the poor breed was accustomed to such horribly high temperatures, it would develop colds and pneumonia when they were taken out in the cold months to be shown. But in the 1940's a different philosophy was stated for the English Lop: A massive, smooth bodied 18" eared animal or a raw boned, rough, pointed nose, 25" eared animal. Soon there was a great demand in America for the English Lop in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. In fact, English Lops were so popular around then that some were even used for nuclear testing. American breeders crossed in Flemish Giants to improve bone structure on the English Lop and to also improve it's type. But the end result was that in the 70's, English Lops became so inbred, that many suffered from weak bone structure, bowed legs, and snipey noses, pigeon breast, and other genetic defects. With the work of many breeders dedicated to improving the breed it wasn't long before the breed was in full swing again. The English Lop has been through some rough moments in its development, but it has passed the tests with flying colors and has grown to be the animal we see today before us. Remember, without the English Lop, there would be no French, Mini, Holland, American Fuzzy, or soon to be accepted Velveteen Lop.

 

Ears on the English Lop

 

There is no doubt that the English's trademark is its ears. No one can argue with that, it is the special feature that makes the breed so unique. The reason an English Lop has enormous ears is very simple. The English Lop originated from the Algiers, Africa, a place well known for its equatorial heat. When a rabbit is hot, they do not sweat, they release heat through their ears by circulating their blood through them. As the blood runs through the ears, it is cooled off and is returned to the bloodstream. (Their ears also take in the cold in the winter months). Pumping these massive amounts of blood caused the English Lop to have very heavy ears which eventually fell down one day and continued growing until the animal was suited to its environment and could compensate for all of the heat it was taking in. Parents with this new trait created a gene for lopping ears, and passed it on to their offspring. Thus the ears of the English Lop were formed. Many breeders are so successful with their English Lops because they stimulate the same situation in the dog days of summer and by heating their barns in colder climates. Since the first 16 weeks of an English Lops life is when the ears will grow the most, it's important that the ears are taken care of. Remember, an English Lop's ears are not only affected by its genes, but also the environment. Some breeders get very short lengths in cold climates, while others achieve impressive ears lengths in freezing weather. It's just another example of Nature vs. Nurture.

 

Raising the English Lop

 

English Lops are not popular just for their ears, they also have one of the best temperaments in the rabbit family. As kits, they like any other kit, full of energy and curious little bunnies. They bolt across their cages like lightning and sometimes trip on their ears. As adults, English Lops, despite their size, are as kind and gentle as ever and are willing to be held. As mothers, English Lops have excellent maternal instincts, their litter sizes vary from 2 to even 14.

 

ARBA English Lop General Description
 

The body type calls for well-developed hindquarters, midsection and shoulders. Shoulders of the rabbit should blend smoothly into the midsection, and the midsection should blend smoothly into the hindquarters.  Chest is to be full and rounded, with a very small dewlap permissible on bucks; and an evenly carried, well rounded dewlap is permissible on does. In profile the rabbit should present a “mandolin” shape. The body top line should present a definite arch, starting at the back of the shoulders with a smooth curve, rising to a high point over the center of the hips, and rounding off to a full hindquarter.
 

The head is to be well shaped, wide, with full cheeks, and tapering slightly to a wide muzzle. Skull is to be medium length with a curvature when viewed in profile. 

The ears having 1/3 of the value of the rabbit while judging should be carried low on the head with no visible crown The ears need to hang loose and close to the body, with a minimal length of 21 inches from tip to tip and a width of ¼ the length of the ear. Besides length and width, substance, texture, shape and condition of the ears play an important part while evaluating. 


English Lop ARBA Standard of Perfection 2011-2015

I. General Type:  85 points total
   A. Body:  35 points
   B. Head:  10 points 
   C. Ears:  33 points total
      1. Length & Width:  11 points
      2. Substance & Shape:  11 points
      3. Texture & Condition:  11 points
   D. Feet & Legs:  3 points
   E. Bone:  4 points
II. Fur (Flyback):  5 points
III. Color & Markings:  4 points
IV. Condition:  6 points

Total Points:  100 

Showroom Classes & Weights
(Shown as a Class 6 Breed in Broken & Solid Groupings)

Senior Bucks:  8 months of age & older, 9.5 lbs. and over
Senior Does:  8 months of age & older, 10.5 lbs. and over
Intermediate Bucks:  6 to 8 months of age, not over 10 lbs.
Intermediate Does:  6 to 8 months, not over 11 lbs.
Junior Bucks & Does:  Under 6 months, not over 9.5 lbs. (Min. weight 4.75 lbs.)