Velveteen Lop

Last updated
Velveteen Lop
Other namesVelveteen rabbit
Country of origin United States
Standard https://arba.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/VelveteenLop.pdf
Typesemi-arch
Usecompanion, exhibition
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    5–6 ½ lbs
  • Female:
    5–7 lbs
Fur typerex
Distinguishing featureslop ears, plush coat


The Velveteen Lop is a breed of lop-eared rabbit developed from Mini Rex and English Lop ancestry in the United States from the late 1980s through early 1990s. [1] It is the first American rabbit breed to combine lopped ears and rex fur. [2] Velveteens are known to have friendly, gentle personalities. They are medium-sized rabbits weighing 5 to 7 pounds when fully grown and come in a wide variety of coat colors.

Contents

History

Breeder Virginia Menden began developing the breed in the 1980s, with the goal of creating a rabbit with a semi-arched body shape and fur similar to that of the Mini Rex. [1] Menden named the breed after the children's story The Velveteen Rabbit . [3] The breed has aquired a "Certificate of Development" (the first step towards recognized breed status) several times, making it eligible to be shown at ARBA-sanctioned shows, but against only themselves, and therefore ineligible for Best in Show. [4]

Appearance

The Velveteen Lop's coat should feel short and plush to the touch. The fur is thick, creating a velvet plush-like texture. The coat can be a variety of colors and patterns common in lop rabbits. [5] The overall goal is a rabbit with the fur characteristics of the Mini Rex breed and the build and ear length of an English Lop in a modest size. It should have a semi-arched body shape, and the chest should be full. The head should be wedge-shaped. The ears should be low on the rabbit's head, and should measure at least 14 inches from tip to tip. Healthy rabbits weigh 5 to 7 pounds. [6] Because the Velveteen Lop is in the process of gaining full recognition, size and type may vary slightly. [1]

Coloration and Markings

Acceptable colors for the Velveteen Lop include those listed below. [7] [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Selvaggio, Lisa (February 15, 2017). "Velveteen Lop". PetGuide. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  2. "About the Velveteen Lop". txvelveteenlops.weebly.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. "Velveteen Lop Rabbit". rightpet.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  4. "Arba Standards Committee". arba.net. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  5. "Arba Standards Committee". arba.net. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  6. "Arba Standards Committee". arba.net. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  7. "Arba Standards Committee". arba.net. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  8. "Colors of the Velveteen Lop". txvelveteenlops.weebly.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.