Learning about the English Lop
The English Lop is the oldest known specialty breed of domesticated rabbit and the original lop-eared rabbit from which all other lops owe their ancestral history. They are characterized by very long lop ears, sometimes measuring as much as 28 inches from one ear tip to the other, and their elegant, mandolin-shaped body, tapering up from a low-lying head to a high, rounded backside in profile.
The English Lop is well known for its one-of-a-kind sweet, loveable & fun-loving personality. They truly have a great disposition that is curious, intelligent & easily trainable. English Lops are also very social and people-loving. They make excellent pets who crave attention and enjoy being in the company of their owners.
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.
ELop ARBA Standard of Perfection
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.)
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