Should I Get An English Lop??

[Grasshopper]

Hi! I'm new here, and this is my first post :roll:

So, I have been thinking about getting another rabbit since my rescue Lily died a year ago. Recently, I went to my friend's house, and I met her English Lop. I immediately fell in love with the breed, and now I'm seriously considering them.

But the info I read is so confusing... some people say they are really sweet, and other people say they are agressive rabbits only for experienced rabbit people!!

Please, if you know anything about this breed, tell me what their temperament is like, how big their cages really have to be, and if they're really as high-mantinance as they say.

I've had a rabbit before, but I'm not very experienced with them, but I love English lops... any help would be appreciated

Thanks!

-Grasshopper

 

[MaggieJ]

Welcome to RabbitTalk, Grasshopper! :hi:

I know what you mean about falling in love with English Lops. Pickles' Elop, Pie, is simply adorable... and other members who have Elops speak well of their temperaments. If I were going to have a house rabbit, I think it would be an English Lop.

 

[ladysown]

all I've heard about E. lops is this.

Lovely temperaments, but difficult breeders. If you want a pet... an e. lop should suit you well.

NOTE: as with any breed of rabbit it makes a HUGE difference who you purchase from. if you purchase from someone that breeds for temperament (that being GOOD temperament) then you should get an easy to handle and be with bunny, if not well .... then keep looking.

 

[ilovehome]

Yes, definitely! I got a couple in November, and have had one litter so far. This mom bred easily the first time and did a great job feeding (which I heard they were not good at) her five little ones. I bought her to breed, so I paid more than you would for a pet and she came from good lines.

I will say they are not gentle. I've heard them described as "goofy", and that is a good description. Mine hate being carried in your arms--hate it! I use a carrier even to bring them from the rabbitry to the house. However, they love playing on the floor, and will hop on you and put their paws on your shoulder and get right in your face when they are on the couch or floor. Mine are energetic and they need to be handled a lot when young because they squirm more than many kits. I've enjoyed them and think they are great!


Mine are in a 2 ft x 4 ft. cage, and it works well. A 30 in x 36 in is about the same amount of space.

 

[eco2pia]

I have never owned one, but Pickles' Pie is a pretty awesome breed ambassador. Check out this post and tell me if that looks like an aggressive hard-to-handle rabbit...MY rabbits would never stand for this...

post31153.html?hilit=easter#p31153

 

[mi_ku]

I agree w/ Ladysown 100%. I think so much depends on the source. Ask them about their individual rabbits. The very first Holland Lop I ever had was downright nasty in temperment and the last would put some puppies to shame. He would eagerly hop in our laps, played w/ the cat, gave kisses and gently took treats from our hands. The rest all fell somewhere inbetween. On the same note: I've heard many people talk about what great kid rabbits/pets Dutch rabbits are and I've never owned or been around one w/ a terribly impressive temperment. None of them were mean or aggressive but they weren't endearing either. My suggestion would be to go to a show and meet some English Lops.

 

[Grasshopper]

Okay, thanks for the replys! I think I will get an English Lop, because I'm looking for a house pet. Has anyone had them with dogs? I have a large Golden Retriever,and I want a larger breed because of that. Do they eat a significant amount?

This is a breeder I'm interested in... has anyone had experience with her? Does anyone reccomend any breeders? I live in Canada, so keep that in mind, but I can go to the U.S. (I live in Vancouver, B.C.)
rebeccasrabbitry.com

 

[eco2pia]

I have bought from her. I got a NZR. She is waaay off the beaten track though, so if you drive to get a rabbit and it works for you to meet her somewhere, go for it. Otherwise, get good directions.

 

[Pickles]

ELops are simply Fantastic! My Elops are the most fun-loving & laid back cuddlebugs you ever saw... they are also very smart and thus highly trainable. I can carry them around, hold them as long as I like, give them snuggles & kisses (and I always get plenty of kisses in return- especially with my young ELop doe, Saffi, she just loves to give kisses). I handle my ELops very often (multiple times a day) so they are completely conditioned to being handled, etc...
When most note that they are for the more experienced rabbit owner much of that has to do with their basic care. Their ears do require a little extra vigilence, and since they are a large breed (also known for trampling on their ears) they do need a very large cage (at the least 30x36)... my buns cages are even larger than that, for instance, my Pie's cage is 42inches (and my buns are essentially free-roaming house bunnies, as they get atleast 6 hours or more "out of cage" time per day). ELops are very social anyway, and I dont think any ELop should be confined to a cage all the time (even a very large cage)- they would never be happy that way. Also, ELops are very big eaters! I have never known any breed of rabbit who can put away chow like an ELop can, so expect to have a decent feed bill. But all in all, even with their lil' inconveniences, the ELop is all worth it... Im a huge advocate for the breed.

 

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for the advice! They may have their drawbacks, but I definitely think I'm going to get one. Eco2pia, how was the rabbit that you bought from her in personality and health?

 

[eco2pia]

She is actually the most mellow, friendly NZ doe I have ever known. She has a nice solid body and good type, and she is due to be bred here soon. I put a deposit on her as a newborn kit on the strength of her dam's type and pedigree. She has traits that were lacking in my other rabbits, and the things she is lacking (deep color mostly) my rabbits are strong in, so over all I am pretty happy.

Though, if you are wanting a pet, I would definitely not buy sight unseen--you want to LOVE your rabbit, so see if you can choose from a few rather than buying from a photo online. She has a fairly big lop herd, it should be possible, and she is definitely trustworthy on the money end. If temperament is most important to you (as it should be) you could ask her to recommend a litter--a particularly mellow doe to chose a kit from. She is a nice lady--it is a mother daughter team I think, actually, and the two of them look more like twin sisters, both are nice.

I really have to say again--it is a rough logging road to their house! You will be convinced that you took a wrong turn and that you are headed out of civilization, and then, there is the sign! Have faith, you will get there, I was in a regular car and didn't need 4WD, but I sure thought I was going to need it before the drive was done. In winter I think you would need it.

 

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for the advice! Hmmmm... it makes sense what you said about temp. Maybe I'll contact her and ask her what kits she would reccomend, than I can meet them. Well, thanks for all the advice, people... Elops ahead!