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French Lop Rabbit Lifespan Size Color and Key Facts

A complete guide to understanding this gentle giant breed

By Rabbits AdvisorPublished 2 months ago 10 min read

Are you finding any friendly, cuddly, and adorable rabbit that's perfect for small children? So, the French Lop rabbit is an excellent choice for you. These rabbits have charming floppy ears that hang just below their jawline - not as long as the English Lop's, making them look even cuter without getting in the way.

French Lops are large and sturdy, about twice the size of most other rabbit breeds. Their size makes them ideal like playful kids since they capable of handle gentle handling and aren't easily scare by other small pets. One of their sweetest qualities is their love like companionship - they enjoy following their owners around and life part of the family's daily life.

Whether like children, seniors, or families of any age, French Lops makes wonderful, loving pets.

In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know to keep your French Lop rabbit happy, healthy, and full of love - but first, let's take a look at few important facts about this amazing breed.

What Is a French Lop Rabbit?

French Lop rabbits are a category of domestic rabbit, which is a category of the European rabbit. They are known for their droopy ears that hang down instead of standing upright. In terms of French Lop Rabbit Lifespan Size, this breed is loved for its large body structure and gentle personality. The American Rabbit Breeders Association also recognizes other lop-eared breeds, such as the Holland Lop, Mini Lop, English Lop, and Fur Lop.

American fuzzy lop

English lop

Holland lop

Mini lop

The French Lop was first developed in France around 1850. It is believed to have been created between selective breeding between the English Lop and the French Butterfly rabbit, although few sources suggest it may have come like crossing an English Lop with a Flemish Giant rabbit.

French Lop rabbits were first bred like meat. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, both English and French Lops became popular around Europe, especially in England, where they were regularly shown in rabbit competitions.

In the 1970s, these breeds were presented to America like countries such as Belgium, Germany, Holland, and Switzerland. Today, they last popular in rabbit shows and are also known as gentle and friendly pets.

French Lop Rabbit - Overview

SizeLargeWeight10–15 poundsLifespan7–12 yearsTemperamentGentle, agreeableSimilar BreedsFlemish GiantSuitable forExperienced rabbit owners with other rabbits

History of French Lop Rabbit

The French Lop rabbit looks fully same to a big version of the Mini Lop. They are not as common as few other rabbit breeds because they need more space and food to stay healthy.

However, like people who understand their care requirements, French Lops capable of build wonderful and loving pets.

The French Lop breed is officially allowed by both the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the British Rabbit Council. Today, it is rate not only as a meat rabbit but also as a popular pet and show animal. Let's explore how this breed first began.

Lop French Rabbit Characteristics

French Lops are large rabbits that usually weight around 10 and 12 pounds, with males life a bit heavier than females.

This makes them around double the size of an average rabbit, donate you many more to cuddle with. They have big heads with broad foreheads and round, chubby mouth that add to their gentle look.

Their front legs are short, and their body is strong and well-built, with straight front legs and hind legs that run side by side to their body, provide them a stable and balanced looks.

Ears

One of the most outstanding qualities of the French Lop rabbit is its long, floppy ears.

They normally grow between 5 and 8 inches in length and droop under the rabbit's mouth, though they do not touch the ground.

These unique qualities build the French Lop easy to recognize and sets it apart like other rabbit breeds.

Coat and Colors

French Lop rabbits have heavy, soft fur that is simple to save.

Daily brushing helps save their coat clean, shiny, and healthy. They come in a wide variety of colors, building equal rabbit unique. Common solid colors include white, blue, black, chinchilla, brown, opal, steel, and fawn.

Some French Lops also have broken patterns, which are a mix of any solid color with white. Their fur is thick, silky, and velvety, but not long sufficient to be used like spinning or making fabric.

Breeders have also developed French Lops in shades such as agouti, Siamese, and steel, adding to the breed's beautiful variety.

French Lop Rabbit Lifespan and Health Problems

For your knowledge, French Lop rabbits don't have large lifespan as compared to many other domestic rabbit breeds. They are usually able to living around 5 to 7 years. In generally, domestic rabbits live an average of 8 years, with few living anywhere like 5 to 15 years.

French Lops able to also be more prone to sure health issues than other breeds. These may include:

Ear mites are a common problem in rabbits and capable of reason discomfort if not treated. Signs of ear mites include common head shaking and a buildup of refuse or wax inside the ears. If you notice these symptoms, it's important to remove your rabbit to a animal doctor like proper treatment.

GI stasis occurs when a rabbit's digestive system slows down or stops working. It is capable of reasons by stress, dehydration, or other health issues.

If not treated, it able to lead to a dangerous intestinal blockage and even death. Common signs of GI stasis include loss of appetite, little or no droppings, and low energy or lethargy.

Malocclusion is a dental problem that develops when a rabbit's teeth do not align properly. Because a rabbit's teeth grow continuously, they need to be worn down naturally between chewing.

When the teeth don't line up correctly, they capable of turn overgrown and cause pain or difficulty eating. If your rabbit has malocclusion, regular dental checkups are especially important to save their teeth healthy and properly trimmed.

Wool block is a condition that happens when a rabbit eat too much fur while grooming itself. Same to cats, rabbits lick their fur to stay clean, but unlike cats, they cannot cough up or vomit the hair they eat. This trapped fur capable of like a blockage in the digestive system, which may require surgery to remove if it becomes severe.

Overweight is a common issue in French Lop rabbits, as they look to gain weight easily. It's important to deliver them a balanced diet in the right piece and confirm they include sufficient exercise each day to maintain a healthy weight.

French Lop Rabbit Care - Tips

Here's an important tip to ensure a happy experience with your French Lop rabbit:

Always provide plenty of hay, fresh vegetables, and toys to save them busy. French Lops love to eat, and because they are large rabbits, they may bite on house items like furniture if they fill bored.

To avoid this, give them safe items to chewing so they stay distract and your furniture stays protected.

Housing

French Lops are most comfortable when they able to spend plenty of time in an outdoor hutch.

A hutch is a two-level yard with a small, sheltered upper area for protection and rest. It should have good ventilation, and if you live in a warm climate, adding a fan capable of help your rabbit cool.

The hutch must be raised off the ground to keep your rabbit safe like predators, with a ramp like easy access between levels.

You capable of line the floor with hay, which must be changed every couple of weeks, or use a plastic-coated wire mesh floor that allows droppings to fall between like easier cleaning.

Diet

French Lops, like all rabbits, have a unique digestive system that task differently like most animals.

They mainly eat grasses, which do not carry the important fatty acids they need.

To earn these nutrients, special helpful bacteria in their gut break down the fiber in grass to create the need fats. These bacteria need oxygen to work properly, so the step accept two steps.

The rabbit first eats and in parts digests the grass, then produces soft dirt that it eats again. This second digestion allows the rabbit to consume all the foods it needs to stay healthy.

It's important to train your rabbit to use one spot like pooping.

You capable of do this by collecting its soft droppings and placing them in a hay-lined litter box like a week or two. Over time, your rabbit will learn to use that area as its toilet.

With training, sure your bunny always has wealth of clean, dry hay, fresh leafy vegetables, and general to use clean water to stay save healthy and happy.

Playtime

In the wild, rabbits normally run around three miles a day. Pet rabbits, involve French Lops, need around three hours of free-roaming time daily to stay active and healthy. Your French Lop will be happiest when it capable of move around safely in an circle area with grass under its feet,

such as a fenced backyard protected like dogs and other animals. You able to also take your rabbit like a walk using a leash to give it extra exercise and stimulation. Remember that rabbits have very sensitive feet, so never make them walk on metal grates or hot footpath.

You don't need fancy toys to save them entertained - a simple ball capable of keep them busy like hours. They also enjoy playing with cardboard tubes from used paper towel rolls, between they might nibble on them too.

Grooming

French Lops do not shed heavily most of the year. You capable of easily manage their shedding by brushing them once a week with a firm-bristle brush, ideally open air.

However, they go between heavy dismiss periods twice a year - once in spring and once in fall - when they lose old fur and grow new coats. During these times,

It's best to brush your French Lop two to three times a week to keep their coat clean and reduce loose hair.

French Lop Rabbit for Sale and Price

If you're planning to buy a French Lop rabbit in the United States, the price capable of vary quite a bit. While few breed guides list the average cost at around $75, actual breeder prices are often higher.

Example, a French Lop with pedigree papers may cost around $150 or more, depending on the breeder and the rabbit's quality.

The final price of a French Lop rabbit depends on few factors, involving its color, blood line, gender, and whether it is study show quality.

You must also know in mind that proper housing, sufficient space, and regular care will add to the overall cost of protecting your rabbit healthy and save.

French Lop Breeders Facts

The French Lop breed was first evolved in France around 1850 as a meat rabbit.

It is believed to have originated like a cross between the English Lop and the now-expired Giant Papillon. The largest recorded French Lop, named Humphrey, measured nearly 42 inches long and weighed over 28 pounds.

Because of their large size, French Lops do not do well in small cages and capable of casually injure inexpedient handle with their strong legs. With their size, they are gentle animals and usually earn with well with other pets, including dogs and cats.

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

How Big Should Rabbit's Cage Be?

When it comes to rabbits, the general rule is that big is always better. If you have enough space like a big cage, your rabbit will enjoy find more room to move around and exercise. Just like people, rabbits do not like life limit to small, full spaces.

If you don't own much space, make sure your rabbit's cage is still at least four times the size of the rabbit itself.

As a general rule, cages controlling around 24 by 36 inches work well like small rabbits under 8 pounds, other big rabbits need around 30 by 36 inches.

Multi-level cage are also a good choice ago they provide extra space like your rabbit to move and examine.

Are French Lop Bunnies' Good Pets?

French Lops rabbits are gentle and friendly rabbits, which build them wonderful pets. Their calm and loving nature also builds them a great choice like families and people who are new to owning rabbits.

Do French Lops Like to Cuddle?

French Lops are calm and loving rabbits, well known like their gentle and friendly personality. They make excellent pets like families and are especially good alike people who are protecting a rabbit like the first time.

How Much Does French Lop Rabbit Cost?

French Lop rabbits typically cost around $75. But, price able to be higher like show-quality rabbits, depending on their pedigree and looks.

Do French Lops Get Along with Other Pets?

Adult French Lops usually get along well with cats and dogs, as long as those pets don't have a strong hunting feeling. However, young rabbits must be celebrated safe and handled around other animals.

Final Thoughts

French Lop rabbits can be considering as great pets when celebrated in the right environment. They are intelligent and capable of smooth learn advanced skills such as using a litter box, allowing them to spend more time freely with you. Their friendly nature and easy training build them a joy to have around, offering friendship without the mess.

If you're looking like a large rabbit and have enough space, the French Lop is an excellent choice. This gentle giant makes a loving companion and more fun and warmth to any home.

Do you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding this issue? You can drop a comment Facebook, Instagram or just here!

rabbit

About the Creator

Rabbits Advisor

At Rabbits Advisor, we are more passionate about all stuffs bunnies. Whether you’re a seasoned bunnies owner, considering adopting a fluffy friend, or just curious about these adorable creatures, you’ve come to the right place.

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