Like most domesticated animals, rabbits come in all shapes and sizes. You might even be surprised to learn just how many breeds of pet rabbit there are, and how widely they range in terms of their appearance. From the texture and length of their fur to the slope of their ears, there are numerous traits and characteristics that prospective owners have to choose from. Ears make a rabbit, and the more floppy the better. Here we’ll cover 11 rabbits with floppy ears.
Before purchasing one of these floppy-eared breeds, just keep in mind that long-eared and densely coated rabbits more often than not require additional maintenance to keep their coats from matting and clumping, and their ears from getting infections.
The 11 Different Rabbits with Floppy Ears
As with most herbivores, rabbits can be fearful of human contact if not socialized with care and consideration. While their ears may be floppy and tempting to touch, remember that these breeds may not be as interested in heavy petting as you are–take time to observe and bond with your pet rabbit before handling it .
1. American Fuzzy Lop
Average Lifespan: 5-8 years
Average Weight: 3-4 pounds
Coat: wool
Originally developed in the United States, the American Fuzzy Lop is a miniature rabbit breed with wooly fur and especially floppy ears. Although not as long as other breeds on our list, this breed’s fur is incredibly soft and has been compared to that of the English Angora.
Known for being friendly and affectionate, the American Fuzzy Lop is a playful and active breed that is considered tolerant of physical affection.
2. French Lop
Average Lifespan: 5 years
Average Weight: 10-20 pounds
Coat: short-medium
The French Lop is a large breed of rabbit originally developed in 1850 in France for its meat.
Bred from the English Lop, this breed weighs in at a massive 10-20 pounds. With a long and dense body, the French Lop’s weight made it ideal for farming and meat production. It is the largest breed on our list of rabbits with floppy ears.
This breed’s floppy ears droop and hang straight down on either cheek, giving it a downcast and endearing aspect. Despite being originally bred for meat, this breed has more recently been kept as a pet.
3. Holland Lop
Average Lifespan: 7-10 years
Average Weight: 3-4 pounds
Coat: medium
Similar in weight and size to the American Fuzzy Lop, the Holland Lop was originally developed in the Netherlands. It was introduced to the public in 1980. One of the most popular breeds in the United States, the Holland Lop is considered a calm and gentle breed that makes for a great household pet.
Especially long lived, this breed is known for its good health and generally robust nature. However, make sure to provide your Holland Lop with chew toys, as the breed tends to nibble on walls and carpets when not preoccupied.
4. Cashmere Lop
Average Lifespan: 5-8 years
Average Weight: 4-6 pounds
Coat: long, dense
A small-medium sized rabbit, the Cashmere Lop was originally bred and developed in England and comes in a variety of colors.
As its name suggests, the Cashmere Lop possesses incredibly soft fur, and perhaps some of the softest ears of rabbits with floppy ears on our list, making it a joy to handle and play with.
The breed is known for its compact body and adorable lop ears (meaning they hang down at the sides of the face), and is considered a friendly and affectionate household pet.
5. English Lop
Average Lifespan: 5-8 years
Average Weight: 11 pounds
Coat: medium
Thought to be one of the oldest breeds of floppy-eared rabbits, the English Lop was first developed in England in the 19th century. Unlike many early rabbit breeds, the English Lop was not bred for meat production, but was intended to be kept as a pet.
Its outsized and comically large ears hang down at either side of their face, a trait that made them especially popular during the Victorian era.
6. Plush Lop
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Weight: 2-5 pounds
Coat: medium, dense
The Plush Lop was originally developed in 1995 in the United States by crossing the Holland Lop (floppy ears) and Mini Rex (erect ears). Despite having one parent with erect ears, the Plush lop itself possesses floppy ears.
As the name suggests, the Plush Lop’s fur is dense and soft to the touch, making it a joy to handle and interact with.
Compact and friendly like the Holland Lop, the Plush Lop is similar to its parent breeds, but comes with the added benefit of hypoallergenic fur, making it one of the more ideal rabbits with floppy ears for those with allergies.
7. Mini Lop
Average Lifespan: 7-14 years
Average Weight: 6.5 pounds
Coat: thick, dense
A medium sized breed, the Mini Lop was originally bred and developed in Germany by crossing German Big Lop and Chinchilla (rabbit) breeds. With its short neck and dense, muscular body, the Mini Lop is hardy, robust and especially long-lived, with some individuals reaching the ripe old age of 18 years.
Playful and affectionate, the Mini Lop is also known for being a trainable breed, and can be taught tricks if properly cared for and well socialized.
8. German Lop
Average Lifespan: 8-12 years
Average Weight: 6-9 pounds
Coat: dense
One of the parent breeds used to create the Mini Lop, the German Lop, as its name implies, was developed in Germany where it is kept as a pet. Known for being stocky and full-bodied, this breed is hardy and resilient and will tolerate small children if respectfully handled.
With thick and substantial floppy ears, this softly furred companion animal is a joy to touch and interact with, and is widely considered to be an ideal household pet.
9. Meissner Lop
Average Lifespan: 5-8 years
Average Weight: 7-10 pounds
Coat: dense
The Meissner Lop is a medium-large sized rabbit originally developed in Germany in the early 1900s as a fancy breed. With a dense coat and compact body, the Meissner Lop possesses shorter ears than other lop breeds.
Thought to be one of the oldest fancy breeds, this rabbit is considered to be endangered and incredibly rare. Although an attractive pet, the Meissner Lop may be difficult to find and expensive to purchase.
10. Velveteen Lop
Average Lifespan: 5-11 years
Average Weight: 6-12 pounds
Coat: short, thick
A fairly recent development, the Velveteen Lop was originally bred by Virginia Menden by crossing English Lops with Rex Rabbit breeds. As its namesake suggests, the Velveteen Lop’s fur is short and soft to the touch. It is one of the shorter haired breeds on our list.
The breed possesses incredibly large and floppy ears that often touch the ground, drooping over the rabbit’s face and cheeks. Due to its recent development, the Velveteen Lop is not accepted as a full and independent breed in some registries.
11. Mini Lion Lop
Average Lifespan: 7-14 years
Average Weight: 3 pounds
Coat: long
A true miniature breed, the Mini Lion Lop was originally bred and developed in England in the early 2000s. It was formally accepted by registries as a fully fledged breed in 2006.
Its name comes from its especially long hair that bunches around its face, which some have compared to the mane of a lion.
Possessing some of the longest fur of any breed on our list of rabbits with floppy ears, the Mini Lion Lop is considered affectionate, playful and generally well-mannered. Due to their small size, it is important that this breed be handled with care.
