by Angie Pollock

Created on: August 15, 2009

Dubbed the "Head of the Fancy", the American Fuzzy Lop is a unique breed of rabbit with an interesting history. Created through the efforts of Holland Lop breeders, English Spots were crossbred with Holland Lops. Trying to achieve broken coloring into the solid-colored Holland Lops, the breeders got their results along with the flyback coats seen in the English Spots. Unfortunately, the breed standard for the Holland Lop requires a rollback coat.

To counter the coat's appearance, the breeders introduced French Angoras into the breeding program. The results were the occasional Holland Lop born with Angora wool. Breeders began to see the potential of lop-eared rabbits with a wool coat and a diminutive size so kept the breeding program to create these unique characteristics. Patty Green-Karl presented her American Fuzzy Lops at the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) conventions during the 1980s. The American Fuzzy Lop was officially recognized in 1988 in a variety of coat colors.

The American Fuzzy Lop is a small breed of rabbit averaging just over three pounds. For registration, the ideal weight for bucks is 3 1/2 pounds but no more than 4 pounds. Standard weight for does is 3 3/4 pounds but not over 4 pounds. Their body is compact in size and has the appearance of not having a neck. The head is rounded with a flat face while the ears hang down, thus the "Lop" portion of their name. The "Fuzzy" part in their name refers to their wool which is quite dense but should not have the texture of "angora" type wool.

Officially there are 19 coat colors accepted by ARBA which include chinchilla, chestnut, lynx, opal, squirrel, pointed white, black, blue, blue-eyed white, ruby-eyed white, chocolate, lilac, sable point, Siamese sable, Siamese smoke pearl, tortoiseshell, fawn, orange, and broken. By club standards, the wool must be at least 1 1/2 inches in length but 2 inches is ideal.

Because of their appearance and size, the American Fuzzy Lop has become popular not only in the show ring but also as a house pet. Generally, this breed is docile and enjoys human companionship. However, due to their wool coat, special attention should be made to their grooming needs. Regular brushing and combing is needed to prevent mats and to remove tangles. Up until about the age of 6 months, the wool will be much softer and more susceptible to tangles requiring extra brushing. The senior coat will appear following their first molt.

Individuals interested in the American Fuzzy Lop for show should visit the ARBA website for showing requirements of this breed. This breed also makes a wonderful pet but should be kept indoors. They require regular rabbit care with only special attention given to their wool. The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Club (AFLRC) currently has over 500 members that work together to "encourage, promote, and improve the breeding" of the American Fuzzy Lop.

References:

http://users.connections.net/fuzzylop/

http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm

THE FIELD GUIDE TO RABBITS, by Samantha Johnson, copyright 2008.

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