Rabbit · Medium Breed
English Lop
The English Lop is a distinctive rabbit breed best known for its extremely long, pendulous ears and calm, gentle presence. Originally developed in England, it is often described as affectionate, curious, and well suited to attentive owners who can provide clean housing and careful daily monitoring.
The Calculator
How old is your English Lop in human years?
At 1 year old
Your English Lop is approximately 8 in human years.
Field Notes
About the English Lop
The English Lop is one of the oldest fancy rabbit breeds and was developed in England, where selective breeding emphasized its dramatic ear length and elegant body type. It later became popular in rabbit shows because of its unique appearance and remains a recognizable specialty breed today.
In temperament, English Lops are often calm, social, and friendly when handled gently from a young age. Many enjoy human interaction and can become quite tame, but they may be more sensitive than hardier breeds and usually do best in quiet homes with predictable routines.
Care for an English Lop requires extra attention to cleanliness and housing design because the long ears can drag on rough or dirty surfaces. They need a spacious enclosure with soft, dry flooring, a high-fiber diet based on hay, fresh greens in appropriate amounts, constant access to clean water, and regular checks of the ears, skin, teeth, and nails.
Exercise is important to maintain healthy weight, muscle tone, and mental stimulation. English Lops should have safe daily time outside the enclosure in a rabbit-proofed area where they can hop, explore, and stretch without risking injury to their ears on sharp edges, wet ground, or abrasive surfaces.
Temperament
Exercise Needs
moderate
Health Watch
- Ear injuries and ear infections
- Dental overgrowth or malocclusion
- Sore hocks
- Obesity
- Gastrointestinal stasis
Grooming
English Lops need regular gentle grooming and frequent ear checks to keep their coat clean and to prevent debris, moisture, or injury affecting their very long ears.
Growth Curve
English Lop weight chart
Typical weight progression from young to adult. The tinted band marks the healthy adult range — 4–5.5 kg.
Nutrition, Staged
English Lop Feeding Guide
Stage-based portions tuned to breed energy requirements. Use as a starting point — your veterinarian tailors the final numbers.
Formative years
Young
Follow breed-specific puppy feeding guidelines
Peak years
Adult
Follow breed-specific adult feeding guidelines
Mature years
Senior
Follow breed-specific senior feeding guidelines
Questions, Answered
On the English Lop
English Lops can make good family pets when children are supervised and taught to handle rabbits calmly and correctly. Their gentle nature is appealing, but their long ears make them more delicate than some other breeds, so they need a household that can be careful and consistent with daily care.
Yes, they benefit from larger, very clean housing with soft, dry flooring and enough space to move without stepping on or scraping their ears. Wire floors, cramped cages, and damp outdoor areas can increase the risk of ear trauma, sore hocks, and hygiene-related problems.
Their diet should be centered on unlimited good-quality grass hay, which supports both digestion and dental wear. A measured portion of quality pellets, fresh leafy greens, and constant access to clean water help round out nutrition, while sugary treats should be limited.
English Lops need daily exercise outside their enclosure to stay fit and mentally engaged. A safe rabbit-proofed space allows them to hop, explore, and interact, but the area should be free of sharp objects, rough surfaces, and anything that could catch or damage their ears.
They are not necessarily difficult, but they do require more specialized attention than many rabbits because of their unusually long ears. Owners need to monitor cleanliness, ear condition, diet, weight, and general health closely, and routine veterinary care with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian is important.
Adjacent Breeds
