Dogs are not the only pet where there are designer cross breeds available — there are designer rabbits too! The Mini Lop is one and was created by breeding multiple different breeds of rabbit to create a small, cute, cuddly and lop-eared bunny that everyone could enjoy. With a wonderful personality, the Mini Lop makes an excellent companion and is one of the most popular breeds of rabbit in the United States.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Mini Lop and seeing whether they might be the bunny for you, keep reading below.
HISTORY OF THE MINI LOP RABBIT
The Mini Lop rabbit was first bred by crossing a German Lop with a smaller Chinchilla rabbit. However, over time, they were also bred with other rabbits to create the Mini Lop today.
The Mini Lop is often confused with the Holland Lop as they look very similar and often owners are confused as to which breed their rabbit belongs to. Normally, Mini Lops are bigger and some owners claim the two breeds have very different personalities.
The Mini Lop rabbit was recognized by the American Breeder’s Association (ARBA) in the late 1980s. Let’s take a look at their origins below.
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BREED ORIGIN
The Mini Lop rabbit originated in Germany after a German Lop and a smaller Chinchilla rabbit were bred together. These rabbits were called Klein Widder or “Little hanging ear” because of their small size and lop ears
The Klein Widder breed was brought to the United States in the early 1970s by breeder Bob Herschbach who had seen them at a show in Germany. He bred the breed with a standard Chinchilla rabbit to create the breed we know today.
He first presented the new Klein Widder breed to the ARBA in the early 1970s, but was not accepted. He changed their name to “Mini Lop” and the bred was later accepted in 1980 when brought to ARBA by a man named Herby Dyke.
LIFESPAN
These rabbits usually live for between 8 and 13 years, with the average being 10.
Source : Mini Lop Rabbit - Top Guide & Facts (animalcorner.org)