Mini Lop

Coat and looks how to spot one

dense rollback coat of medium length on a thick, rounded, compact body

A chunky, well-muscled little lop with a short neck, broad head with a pronounced crown, and thick ears that hang down beside the cheeks, usually reaching a little below the chin. Its body is deep and rounded all over, often compared to a ball with a head attached. The fur is dense with a soft underlayer and rolls slowly back into place when brushed against the grain.124

Personality what they are like

Mini Lops tend to be easy-going and people-friendly, often bonding with the whole household and enjoying both play sessions and calm lap time. Personalities vary: some are lively explorers, others are more laid-back. Gentle handling from a young age helps them become confident, sociable pets.264

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active and curious; plan for around three hours or more of supervised free-roam time outside the enclosure each day so it can run, hop and explore. Outdoor play should be supervised and predator-safe.26

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Brush about once a week, increasing during moults. Trim nails every one to two months and check the ears regularly, since lop ears hang down and benefit from a quick weekly look.264

Home where they are happiest

Needs a roomy enclosure with space to stretch out fully, stand up and hop, plus a litter box, hay and water. One breed guide suggests at least about 12 sq ft (1.1 sq m) of floor space; the RSPCA recommends a combined living area of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high for a pair of medium rabbits. Can live indoors or outdoors if protected from predators and weather.472

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Unlimited grass hay (such as timothy or orchard) should form the bulk of the diet, with daily leafy greens (roughly 1 cup per 2 lb of body weight), a small measured portion of plain pellets (about 1/3 cup) and constant fresh water. Fruit only as an occasional treat.246

Company who they like around

A sociable breed that likes daily interaction with people and usually does best in a bonded pair with another compatible rabbit.247

The story where it all began

In Germany, breeder Erhard Diener began creating a smaller lop in 1954 by crossing colour dwarfs with French Lops, showing the result in 1957; the German Kleinwidder was recognised in 1968. American breeder Bob Herschbach came across these small lops, shown as 'Klein Widder', at the German national show in Essen in 1972 and brought agouti and white animals home to breed. He presented them at the 1974 ARBA convention in Ventura, California. Herb Dyke (also spelled Dyck) took over the breed's sponsorship in 1977, and in 1978 the pair launched a correspondence club that gained more than 500 members within a year. The name was changed to Mini Lop to give it wider appeal, and the breed was accepted by ARBA at the 1980 convention in Milwaukee, after which the Mini Lop Rabbit Club of America was formed.1325

Recognised by the official bits

ARBA

Accepted as a breed at the 1980 ARBA convention in Milwaukee. Maximum weight 6.5 lb.1

ARBA

Listed as recognised in 1980, maximum weight 6.5 lb, after being renamed from Klein Widder.5

Zentralverband Deutscher Kaninchenzüchter (ZDK)

The German Kleinwidder, the breed's German forerunner, was recognised in 1968 (Thevetdesk gives 1973 for German recognition).3

British Rabbit Council

Does not standardise the American Mini Lop under this name; in the UK the names Miniature Lop and Dwarf Lop belong to separate breeds.8