french lop or english lop

[dark.lapin]

My favorite lop breeds are french and english. But I honestly pefer english over the french. I checked out the breed website but it was not helpful I am just looking at other breeds at the moment. What type of temperment do these lops have and what cages size should I use? I am just looking into lops right now.. Also does anyone know a site that shows the varietrys?

 

[Pickles]

Im a total English Lop lover. What I can tell you from first-hand knowledge of their lovable temperaments is that they are very smart, fun & funny, laid-back, sweet natured, playful, and loves attention & interaction. There is no breed quite like the Elop. They are easy to train but do require a lil' extra attention due to their ears. Because they are a large breed they also require quite a bit more cage space than most other buns. You want a cage atleast 36" long or more. Also, I am of the firm belief that they should get quite a bit of "outside cage" time as well to truly be healthy & happy (to jump and play around and just stretch their legs- which they just wont get being confined to a cage... even if its a large one). I am somewhat saddened at the rarity that has become of the English Lop. There arent very many reputable elop breeders and the recent change in weight standard has even more folding in the towel. Thats just the way it goes.
Now as far as a French Lop... I know precious little except for that they are a cross between the English Lop and the Flemish Giant according to the ARBA guidebbok.

 

[HendricksHearth]

Hi there,

Christine did an excellent job of describing the Elop temperament and space/exercise requirements. I haven't raised French before, but I have talked to breeders and was seriously considering the breed at one point. I made a point of interacting with them as much as possible and in my opinion, they are more quite/reserved than the Elops, but still have that large breed sweet nature overall. They are also a bit less active, but they are heavier in the muscle/bone department. I actually saw one kick so violently at a show when it was startled that it went flying out of the handler's arms and landed with a thud on the concrete. My heart stopped, but it got right back up and was fine whereas I don't think an Elop would have been so lucky. On that same note the French do not have the long ears that can be torn or damaged. So I guess I feel like the French are more durable and tough overall if there are children in the picture, etc. They also have the rollback coat whereas the Elops have flyback if you have a preference for one over the other. Elops are mandolin in shape whereas the Flops (flops, haha.. sorry) are commercial, too. Both breeds are recognized in the same colors, so no big differences there.

Best of luck!

Lauren

 

[dark.lapin]

When I went to youth show in fort worth one of french lops bite one of kids arms bad. I personaly pefer english lops. I love their ears and they are so cute...I just wish the national club was more helpful....I need to start my flemish giant project first...I have no idea where I am going to keep em though..I do want to raise 2 breeds...I ended up choosing another giant rabbit lol

 

[5dognightfarm]

I had French Lops for a short time. They definately aren't as sweet tempered as E.Lops but they aren't mean. They are pretty skittish though. My does didn't take very easily either. They are certainly more sturdy though!

 

[Pickles]

...I ended up choosing another giant rabbit lol

Know what ya mean. I have a soft spot for the large breeds, too. But I often wonder what it would be like to have a tiny english lop about 3 lbs. Now that would be adorable too! Too bad they dont exist.

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

...I ended up choosing another giant rabbit lol

Know what ya mean. I have a soft spot for the large breeds, too. But I often wonder what it would be like to have a tiny english lop about 3 lbs. Now that would be adorable too! Too bad they dont exist.

Maybe they do exist, I have seen some pretty bad examples of Hollands that have the hugest ears!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[dark.lapin]

...I ended up choosing another giant rabbit lol

Know what ya mean. I have a soft spot for the large breeds, too. But I often wonder what it would be like to have a tiny english lop about 3 lbs. Now that would be adorable too! Too bad they dont exist.

I have heard of plush lop but I don't know how big that breed gets. supposbly its smaller english lop.
I guess it because larger breeds are neater than smaller one. Plus the smaller breeds are too common...

 

[5dognightfarm]

A Velveteen Lop is a smaller version of English Lop with rexed fur. A Plush Lop is more like a Holland Lop with rexed fur.

 

[Pickles]

Im familiar with the Velveteen, but they weigh in around 6lbs or so. And a Plush looks more like an extra fuzzy Holland. Im thinkin' something itty-bitty at about 3lbs. I wish there was a way to cross the Britannia with the English and still retain the English ears, temperament, muzzle, etc... hmmmmnnnnn. Thats the problem I guess, once you start crossing the breeds its impossible to keep the purity of the breed you love- its always morphed into something new. Bummer. Guess Ill have to invent a shrinking machine. LOL!

 

[HendricksHearth]

I agree that the closest thing right now to a "mini" English Lop would be a Velveteen. I really like them- it is a shame they did not pass again this past year at convention. I understand a new COD has been taken out already though the good news is that they should be back again for presentation.

Christine, Engima's babies are the first generation of a Velveteen lop project and they are already so cute.

Lauren

 

[Pickles]

Christine, Engima's babies are the first generation of a Velveteen lop project and they are already so cute.

Lauren

OMG! I cant wait to see them! I went to your site and there are no posted pics yet, but I also saw that Turning Point & ET have litters too. I am beyond excited!

 

[curlysue]

The English lops are notorously hard too get bred as told too me by actual breeders(I dont listen too rumors from non breeders)I like there temperments better than french.Honestly Minilops Are easy too Breed and have nice temperments.

 

[Pickles]

I wish more would breed the English, but I am aware their existence is mostly "ornamental". As stated earlier, good breeders of the Elop are becoming fewer and far between these days. I know they require more in the way of care, cage space, feed, and simply arent as multi-purpose as most of the other breeds in the way that they are never raised as a food source or for their pelts, etc... but I can tell you that what they give back to their owners with their sweet temperaments, fun-loving natures, beautiful ears, etc... is finer than any breed Ive known.

 

[curlysue]

I think they are certainly the cutest but i know the ears require extra care.my sister bought one of those velvateen lops.

 

[downonthefarm]

It's time for me to jump in & campaign for french lops. We currently have 20ish french lops. We've never had english lops before, but based on the temperaments described previously, it seems that french & english lops have similar personalities. French Lops are very smart & beg for attention. They're typically friendly rabbits. We have a doe that was a bit grumpy (your girl, Caitlyn ). However, she's as sweet as pie now that she's had a litter. French lops can be a challenge to breed, but they're worth it. I wouldn't use a cage any smaller than 36".

French Lops rock! unk:

Janine<br /><br />__________ Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:54 am __________<br /><br />

When I went to youth show in fort worth one of french lops bite one of kids arms bad.

It's possible to have a biter in any breed, but we've found that biting is not typical behavior for french lops.

Janine

 

[5dognightfarm]

We have a doe that was a bit grumpy (your girl, Caitlyn

I'd agree with that, Maisy was always a bit...rude. Okay, maybe a little more than rude. Jimmy on the other hand would throw himself out of the cage at you just to get petted lol.<br /><br />__________ Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:35 am __________<br /><br />

I wish more would breed the English, but I am aware their existence is mostly "ornamental". As stated earlier, good breeders of the Elop are becoming fewer and far between these days. I know they require more in the way of care, cage space, feed, and simply arent as multi-purpose as most of the other breeds in the way that they are never raised as a food source or for their pelts, etc... but I can tell you that what they give back to their owners with their sweet temperaments, fun-loving natures, beautiful ears, etc... is finer than any breed Ive known.

I do miss my English. I've only ever had two, both ironically black tort bucks, but they were dolls! One was a barn rabbit, he ran free on the floor. He played with the chickens, chased the dog, and would lay on any escaped baby until we found it. That was a happy rabbit! He even had his own escape tunnel (where it is, we'll never know) and would raid the garden.

The other was a sweetie pie too, he was my showmanship rabbit.

 

[Shara]

the first rabbit my mom ever got when I was little was a frenchie named Beauty. Or Pumkin, lol. She was a doll, and had the Biggest Thickest Blackest eyelashes ever. She was so sweet and cute!!!

 

[dark.lapin]

The English lops are notorously hard too get bred as told too me by actual breeders(I dont listen too rumors from non breeders)I like there temperments better than french.Honestly Minilops Are easy too Breed and have nice temperments.

to be perfectly honest if I don't have enough space or need to get a smaller breed I might consider mini lops. I like mini lops but I honestly would rather raise something more uncommon. Any small breed is over populated on show tables. Plus I pefer a rabbit that calmer and larger rabbits are calmer.I have heard that flemish are hard to breed but that is not always the case...guess I will find out soon enough...thanks for suggestion maybe one these days I will acualy raise a smaller breed.

It's time for me to jump in & campaign for french lops. We currently have 20ish french lops. We've never had english lops before, but based on the temperaments described previously, it seems that french & english lops have similar personalities. French Lops are very smart & beg for attention. They're typically friendly rabbits. We have a doe that was a bit grumpy (your girl, Caitlyn ). However, she's as sweet as pie now that she's had a litter. French lops can be a challenge to breed, but they're worth it. I wouldn't use a cage any smaller than 36".

French Lops rock! unk:

Janine

__________ Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:54 am __________

When I went to youth show in fort worth one of french lops bite one of kids arms bad.

It's possible to have a biter in any breed, but we've found that biting is not typical behavior for french lops.

Janine

I plan on raising french lops instead if I can't find any good english lops. I love the breed and I have heard that they are very freindly rabbits.Met another youth who had alot of nice things to say about em. I am leaning more towards the english lop because french lops are a popular breed in texas and I pefer raising something uncommon. Thanks for your input I apperciate it alot....I guess its show stress that caused the rabbit to bite..Harvey was a biter during tri chapter show and he stoped completly after awile ..i don't plan on showing him at tri chapter ever again..

I wish more would breed the English, but I am aware their existence is mostly "ornamental". As stated earlier, good breeders of the Elop are becoming fewer and far between these days. I know they require more in the way of care, cage space, feed, and simply arent as multi-purpose as most of the other breeds in the way that they are never raised as a food source or for their pelts, etc... but I can tell you that what they give back to their owners with their sweet temperaments, fun-loving natures, beautiful ears, etc... is finer than any breed Ive known.

When I first saw elop I instanly loved the breed and their ears are gorgous...How mutch space do they need? Can the cage have a height of 18 inches?One of reasons I want to raise elops is because of fact more people aren't raising that breed and I like the way the rabbit looks. To me its most rabbit looking out of all the lop breeds. thanks so mutch for your help.

 

[Pickles]

I wish more would breed the English, but I am aware their existence is mostly "ornamental". As stated earlier, good breeders of the Elop are becoming fewer and far between these days. I know they require more in the way of care, cage space, feed, and simply arent as multi-purpose as most of the other breeds in the way that they are never raised as a food source or for their pelts, etc... but I can tell you that what they give back to their owners with their sweet temperaments, fun-loving natures, beautiful ears, etc... is finer than any breed Ive known.

When I first saw elop I instanly loved the breed and their ears are gorgous...How mutch space do they need? Can the cage have a height of 18 inches?One of reasons I want to raise elops is because of fact more people aren't raising that breed and I like the way the rabbit looks. To me its most rabbit looking out of all the lop breeds. thanks so mutch for your help.

As long as the cage is long enough (about 36" is best) a height of 18" should be ok. I agree that they are the most "rabbit looking" of the breeds. The other lop breeds tend to have very stout & flat muzzles. Would be nice to have another person giving the Elop a go.