Scientific name Oryctolagus cuniculus | Rank Breed | |
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Similar Mini Lop, Lionhead rabbit, Miniature Lop, American Fuzzy Lop, French Lop | ||
The Mini Lion Lop rabbit is a recognised breed by the BRC. It has lopped ears and the mane of the Lionhead and should weigh between 1.5-1.6 kg (3.4-3.8 lbs). The Mini Lion Lop was developed in England in the early 2000s and accepted by the BRC in 2006.The breed was pioneered by rabbit breeder Jane Bramley, who contributed a lot of work into getting the breed recognised. The breed is similar to the very common mini lop, only with the addition of a mane around the head and a 'bib' on the chest. The breed is growing in popularity within the UK and abroad and is expected to become one the most popular of rabbit breeds.
Contents
Breeding
Ovulation is induced by sexual stimulation. Sexual maturity age for small breeds like the Mini LionLop is 4 to 5 months. Males usually require more time to fully mature, and normally reach adult sperm counts between 6–7 months.
Due to the territorial nature of female rabbits, it is standard practice for the doe to always be brought to the buck's cage. When the doe is brought to the bucks' cage, he quickly mounts her, performs pelvic thrusting culminating in ejaculation, and "flops" off. The whole act may take less than 30 seconds, and is often repeated several times. When he is finished, the buck should then be removed, but many breeders will reintroduce the buck a few hours later to increase the size of the litter.
Mane
The maning gene is dominant, therefore, both parents do not need a mane to pass it on to offspring; however, one parent must have a mane. It cannot be "carried" by Mini Lops. There are two genes involved – 'M' and 'm'.
So some possible outcomes may be:
Double-maned Mini Lion Lop kits are easily recognisable. They are often informally referred to as "gremlins", because of their appearance. Compared to a single maned kit, there is a large difference. "Gremlins" tend to have a V shape on the back, where the fur starts to grow.
Colours and standardisation
Mini Lion Lop fanciers are still currently working on getting all the colours standardised, because the Breeds Standards Committee have not allowed all colours that are accepted by other lop breeds to be accepted within the Mini Lion Lops. Fanciers are having to present to the Breeds Standards Committee, colours that are already shown in other lop breeds, to get them standardised within the breed. Three generations (with a minimum of two specimens in each generation) of show-quality Mini Lion Lops are required in the colour the breeders wish to be accepted.
Colours currently accepted are:
Lion Lops UK (LLUK)
LLUK is a national club devoted to the furthering of the breed. It was established in 2007, founded and chaired by Jane Bramley, the fancier who first pioneered the breed. LLUK provides stock shows around the country to benefit the keen exhibitors of the Mini Lion Lop breed.