Lop-eared rabbit breeds: every lop compared by size and care

What is a lop-eared bunny?

A lop is a rabbit whose ears fall down beside its face instead of standing up. The name covers a whole family of breeds rather than one. The British Rabbit Council (BRC) puts them in their own Lop section, which it describes as running "from the petite Mini Lop to the historic English Lop". The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognises five breeds with lopped ears.

Lops are popular because they look soft and sleepy, and many are calm, friendly rabbits. They are not a different kind of pet, though. A lop needs everything any rabbit needs, covered in our rabbit care guide, plus a closer eye on its ears.

Lop eared rabbit breeds compared

Here is every lop recognised by the BRC in the UK and by ARBA in the US. Weights are adult weights from the breed clubs, the UK show magazine Fur and Feather, PDSA and PetMD. Breed names are where most people get confused, so the table says where a UK and US name mean different rabbits.

The BRC also lists a lion lop and a plush lop, and rescues see German lops and lionhead lops regularly. The Teddywidder is a woolly, lop-eared dwarf from Germany. For every other breed, upright ears included, see our full guide to rabbit breeds.

Mini lop eared bunnies: the small lops

The small lops are the UK mini lop and mini lion lop (ideal 1.5 kg, 3.3 lb), the Holland lop and American fuzzy lop (up to 4 lb, 1.8 kg), and the UK dwarf lop (2 to 2.5 kg, 4.4 to 5.5 lb). PetMD describes the Holland lop as compact with a large head and ears about 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5 in) long, and the American mini lop as stocky with a "softball-sized" head.

Small does not mean less space. A small lop still needs the full Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) minimum for a pair: one enclosed area of at least 3 x 2 m (9 ft 10 in x 6 ft 7 in) and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high. Small lops are often lively, and PetMD suggests at least three hours a day of exercise time for a mini lop.

Giant lop eared rabbit breeds

The biggest lop is the French lop. Fur and Feather calls it "the largest Lop", bred originally for meat and now one of the UK's most popular show breeds, with a desired weight of 5.5 kg (12 lb). PDSA gives 5 to 6 kg (11 to 13 lb). ARBA sets no top weight and describes it as massive and heavy-boned, believed to come from English lop and Giant Papillon crosses in the 1800s.

The English lop weighs about 5 kg (11 lb), and the Meissner lop 4 to 5 kg (8.8 to 11 lb). If you've seen a "lop eared Flemish giant", there is no such breed in the BRC or ARBA lists. A giant rabbit with lopped ears is usually a French lop or a cross; the Flemish giant is its own breed.

Lop eared bunny colours: grey, black, brown and fluffy

Most lop breeds come in many colours, so grey, black, brown, white and patterned lops are all common. ARBA recognises over 30 colours and patterns in the Holland lop alone, and Fur and Feather notes the English lop is accepted in any colour. Colour has no link to temperament or health.

"Fluffy" lops are the woolly and long-coated breeds: the American fuzzy lop, the cashmere lop and miniature cashmere lop, the mini lion lop and the Teddywidder. They look wonderful and take real work. The BRC says long-haired breeds need gentle daily grooming to prevent matting, and the RWAF explains that rabbits can't vomit, so a woolly lop that isn't brushed swallows fur it can't bring back up.

How long do lop eared rabbits live?

Most lops live 6 to 10 years. PDSA gives 6 to 8 years for the dwarf lop and French lop and 5 to 7 years for the English lop. PetMD gives 8 to 10 years for the American mini lop and 7 to 10 years for the Holland lop. As a rule, the very large lops have the shorter lives.

The same things lengthen any rabbit's life: neutering, vaccinations against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), a diet that is mostly hay, a friend, and plenty of space.

Caring for lop eared rabbits: the ears

A lop's ear canal bends sharply where the ear folds over, and that bend traps wax and debris. The RSPCA reports ear conditions in about 25% of lop-eared rabbits against 10% of rabbits with upright ears. In one study of 435 pedigree rabbits, reported by the RWAF, 86% had flaky discharge in the ear canal, 42% had a narrowed canal, and lops were the most at risk.

Ear trouble is easy to miss, because a rabbit hides pain. The RWAF lists the signs to watch for:

• Scratching or rubbing the ears, or shaking the head
• Head tilt, poor balance or seeming easily startled
• Redness, crusting, or wet or flaky discharge in the ear
• Swelling at the base of the ear
• A bad smell from the ear
• Less response to sounds, or a change in grooming
• Being quiet, grumpy or off their food

Other health problems lops share

Lops get the same illnesses as every rabbit, and a few are worth extra care. The RSPCA links lop ears to tear duct problems, so check for runny eyes or wet fur under the eyes. Dental disease affects every breed; the RSPCA says the evidence for some breeds being more prone is not settled, so the answer for all of them is unlimited hay and a vet check of the teeth. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund goes further and counts every lop breed among the short-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, whose crowded back teeth can grow painful spurs; it advises feeling round the base of the ears regularly for lumps.

PDSA lists the main risks for every lop as dental disease, myxomatosis, RHD, flystrike and the parasite E. cuniculi, which can cause a head tilt. Check under the tail every day in summer, because a dirty bottom attracts flies. Our rabbit health guide explains each one and when to see a vet.

• Weekly: look at the ears from outside and sniff them
• Weekly: check eyes, teeth, nails and weight
• Weekly: brush (daily for woolly lops and during a moult)
• Daily in summer: check under the tail for mess or flies
• Every vet visit: ask for an ear and tooth check

How much are lop eared bunnies?

PDSA lists average prices of about £20 for a dwarf lop, £25 for a French lop and £30 for an English lop, as of November 2026. It also estimates the lifetime cost of one rabbit at £6,800 to £9,000 for a dwarf lop or French lop and £5,800 to £7,900 for an English lop, and says a pair doubles that. We couldn't find a vet or welfare source for US prices, so we haven't given one. Our rabbit cost guide breaks down set-up and monthly costs.

Lop eared bunny for sale or adoption near me

Start with a rescue. On the day we checked, Rabbit Rehome listed hundreds of lops waiting for homes in UK rescues, including 716 mini lops, 327 dwarf lops, 206 English lops and 108 French lops. The RWAF goes further and asks people not to buy baby lops at all, because of the ear problems the breed shape brings, and to adopt instead.

• UK: search by breed on Rabbit Rehome, or try your local RSPCA or Blue Cross centre
• US: Rabbit.org lists rabbit rescues by state
• Ask the rescue if the rabbit is neutered, vaccinated and already bonded to a friend
• Ask when the ears were last checked by a vet

If you do go to a breeder, ask to see both parents and their ears, ask about the ear and tooth history of the line. Our guide on where to get a rabbit lists more questions to ask.