Scientific Facts
| Common Name: | Velveteen Lop |
| Scientific Name: | – |
| Life Span: | 5 to 11 years |
| Size: | 5 to 6.5 pounds |
| Habitat: | Domesticated |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
Velveteen Lop Information
The Velveteen Lop is another one of the more popular breeds of rabbits in America and is a breed that was specifically bred to have those sought-after lopped ears. Compared to some other rabbits with lopped ears, the Velveteen Lop is actually one of the newer breeds and has not been around for as long as the other types of rabbits that are popular as domesticated pets in America.
This rabbit is so popular that it actually has its own Velveteen Lop Rabbit Club of America. According to the group, this breed was created when a certain Virginia Menden started breeding it back in 1990 to produce a type of rabbit that she can showcase for its lopped ears. Another one of her goals was to create a rabbit with a mandolin-type body but has the other physical characteristics of the popular Mini Rex. In that case, she mixed the Mini Rex rabbit breed together with the English Lop to create a breed that has the lopped ears of the English Lop and the fur of the Mini Rex. It was named after the rabbit in the book entitled The Velveteen Rabbit.
As popular as the Velveteen Lop is, it took a while for it to get recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. But that did in any way diminish its popularity among different types of rabbit breeders not only in America but everywhere else in the world where rabbits are considered some of the best-domesticated pets to have in any kind of household.
Physical Description
The Velveteen Lop is a medium-sized domesticated rabbit that has some of the standard physical attributes found in most American rabbits that were meant to be petted. As originally planned when it was bred, the Velveteen Lop carries a body that is shaped like a mandolin. What that means is that its body gets bigger and rounder as you start from the head until you reach its butt where it is at its roundest. The top line should have a sudden and steep arch that starts from the back of its neck, similar to the way a mandolin arches. Its arch is at its highest at its hips until it rounds down to its tail or its butt.
In terms of how its body is built, the Velveteen Lop looks well-muscled despite how round and fluffy it actually is. This is in stark contrast to how most domesticated rabbits found in America are round precisely because of their plump and stout body build. It is most developed in the shoulders and the hindquarters. In other words, the Velveteen Lop is made to have a muscular build instead of having a body that is fat and plump. That is why this breed tends to be lighter than most other American domesticated rabbit breeds.
The Velveteen Lop’s head should feature a shape that is wedged. However, the muzzle and cheeks of this rabbit tend to differ. There are those that have muzzles and cheeks that are wide and full, while others tend to have slender or tapering ones that may also be wide in some cases. It also features a head that is moderately long and a neck that is very short to the point that you can hardly notice it.
Of course, as its name suggests, the Velveteen Lop stands out when it comes to its ears. It was specifically bred to have the lopped ears of the English Lop. That means that its ears should be falling down instead of upright. It usually lies flat behind the rabbit’s eyes and tends to start low. However, unlike the other rabbits with lopped ears, you can actually see the inside part of the Velveteen Lop as the ear usually faces outwards towards the front rather than inwards towards. Velveteen Lops have ears that are very long.
Most of these rabbits can have ears that are actually about 15 inches overall from the top all the way to where it starts on the top portion of the rabbit’s head. Nevertheless, the rabbit’s ears will never be longer than the length of its body as it usually is proportionate to the overall length of the Velveteen Lop. The ears also a bit wide and can be as wide as a quarter of the length of the ears.
When it comes to the coat of the Velveteen Lop, it comes with a fur that tends to be short and straight but is actually pretty dense and thick. The bunny should have fur that is standardized all over the entire body in terms of its length. It should also appear to be quite lustrous and very fluffy to give the Velveteen Lop its plush and cuddly appearance even though it actually is a well-built and lean rabbit. And when you touch the fur, it should be very smooth as your hand glides through it easily.
The Velveteen Lop’s colors are not really informed, but there are certain guidelines as to the color of this rabbit. There is, in fact, a color guide when it comes to the recognized colors of the Velveteen Lop. The rabbit can come in the white band, harlequin, shaded, tricolor, agouti, or ticked colors. The otter color can also be a good option, but it is not a color that is recognized by the ARBA. The different shades and markings on the Velveteen Lop depend on what kind of color it comes in.
Personality
When it comes to this bunny’s personality, you really cannot say that there are a lot of differences between the Velveteen Lop and that of most other standard types of lop rabbits or domesticated rabbits in America. It carries with it the usual friendly, good-natured, and mild-mannered approach that the common domesticated rabbit breed has. In that sense, the Velveteen Lop is a rabbit that you will have no problems with when it comes to how it will approach you and accept the way you care and nurture it.
Alongside its friendly and mild-mannered type of personality, the Velveteen Lop finds itself one of the most adored rabbit breeds in all of America for the precise reason that it is a very affectionate animal. When you show love and affection towards it, the rabbit tends to give affection back by making it obvious that it likes to hang around with you or even stay close by you or on your lap for some cuddles.
Given that this rabbit likes getting a lot of attention, you will have no problems when trying to socialize with the Velveteen Lop. As much as possible, try to give it the attention it needs and wants because of how demanding your affection is. You can try to handle or carry it from time to time but always do so in a manner that is gentle so as to make it feel safe around you. When it is sitting on your lap, you can stroke its fur gently so as to make it feel like it is loved.
The Velveteen also has a rather playful nature. It likes to socialize with you and your family and even with other household animals that are safe for rabbits to be around with. Although it can be quite playful, expect it to be calm and docile around you as it will trust and respect the way you handle and interact with it so long as you do it in a safe manner.
Life Span
Velveteen Lops are some of the hardiest and most resilient domesticated rabbits around due in large part to how these bunnies were really bred to be able to adjust easily to a life of domesticated care. In that regard, it is reasonable to expect that it will live for at least 5 years as long as the care you give it is sufficient enough for it. But if you really give it the best kind of care under the best conditions, it will most probably live for more than a decade.
Speaking of conditions, always see to it that you place the Velveteen Lop in an environment that is not too cold or damp and is stable in terms of the overall temperature. That is because this rabbit is quite susceptible to respiratory infections or anything similar to that. A sudden change in the temperature or a climate that can be too cold or damp for it can easily put your rabbit at risk of suffering from colds and respiratory illnesses.
Other than that, it is also equally important to keep your Velveteen Lop safe from internal and external parasites such as worms, mites, and ticks. Exposing them outside will open them up to the possibility of getting certain kinds of parasites. Finally, never expose the rabbit to anything that can make it feel stressed because a stressed Velveteen Lop will be more susceptible to suffering illnesses due to how its immune system weakens due to stress.
Reproduction
The Velveteen Lop follows the same kind of reproductive pattern and behavior that is shared by most domesticated breeds of rabbits. In that regard, these rabbits will reach the age of sexual maturity sometime around 4 to 6 months old. They will be able to reproduce all year long as long as the female is receptive to mating. Meanwhile, a female can give birth to a litter that can be as large as 5 to 6 baby rabbits. You can also expect that the female Velveteen Lop will be able to give birth multiple times in a single calendar year since domesticated rabbits tend to have short gestation periods.
Behavior
Velveteen Lops are actually very similar to most other types of domesticated rabbits in the plain and simple sense that they are generally well-behaved rabbits that might not be shy but are also more playful than other breeds. Even when left alone in an open room, they almost will not cause any trouble due to their well-behaved and good-natured personalities. It is hard to imagine a Velveteen Lop making it hard for you to take care of it because it really is a well-behaved rabbit.
Due to its affectionate side, it is normal to expect the Velveteen Lop to want to be around you when you are nearby. They will do anything to get your attention because they really demand that you give them the attention they need to foster their affectionate side. Your Velveteen Lop might want to stay close to you as much as it can or may even show signs that it wants to be handled or cuddled. Putting it on your lap and stroking its hair may be enough attention for this very affectionate rabbit.
Velveteen Lops also display a side that is quite playful. Playing with them or allowing them to play with toys that are safe for rabbits is a good way to promote their playful side. Yet, despite how playful they can get, Velveteen Lops are generally quite calm when showing this side. They are not too overly hyper or playful to the point that they might cause you some trouble. Instead, they play in a controlled manner that shows how truly good-natured these rabbits are. However, some of these rabbits may act like cats in the sense that they will show their playful side on their own terms. When they want to play, they will play. But if they don’t, they will most likely stay behaved the entire time while showing no interest in playing with you.
Handling the Velveteen Lop allows it to show its docile side. This rabbit is so well-behaved that it will allow you and strangers to safely handle it without so much as showing any signs of distress on its part. It will submit to the way people handle or carry it just as long as it is done in a manner that will allow it to feel safe and stress-free.
All in all, its generally mild-mannered behavior and calm demeanor allows the Velveteen Lop to be the ideal pet to have for any kind of household. It is great for small children because of how easy it is to handle. It also is a good pet for older people to have because of its well-behaved personality.
Eating Habits
The Velveteen Lop follows a diet that is similar to any other domesticated pet rabbit. It is generally a herbivore and thrives on the grass and plant-based diet that is full of fiber and other essential nutrients that help the rabbit’s overall health. Generally, make it a point to feed it with a lot of grass or hay since this is where they get the majority of their nutritional needs. Hay is very important for digestion because it is rich in fiber. Having your rabbit constantly chewing on hay will also keep its dental health in check as it prevents their teeth from overgrowing.
The general rule that most people follow when it comes to the Velveteen Lop’s diet is that its calorie intake should be about 70 to 80% hay. However, it might be best to stay closer to 80% since hay already has most of what your rabbit needs. Meanwhile, the rest of the rabbit’s daily calorie intake should be composed of foods that supplement its diet. Veggies may make up at least 10% of their diet. Meanwhile, you can also feed your Velveteen Lop with rabbit pellets that can be purchased commercially. Healthy treats should be treated as treats in the sense that they should only be given to your rabbit occasionally and not all the time. Starchy vegetables and fruits should be treated as treats due to how they are rich in sugar.
Always keep an eye on the type of food you give your Velveteen Lop and the food portions as well. This type of rabbit might not be prone to obesity, but it should still be very important to make sure that it stays within a manageable weight so that it gets to maximize its lifespan.
Water
Due to how playful it can get from time to time, the Velveteen Lop needs to keep itself hydrated constantly. The best way to make sure that your rabbit always has water to drink is to place a water dish inside its cage. The dish should not be big enough that your rabbit can fit in it. Velveteen Lops can get stressed when they stay in the water. Of course, you do not want it to get stressed, as it is detrimental to its overall health. Lastly, always keep an eye on how clean the water is to prevent any kind of water-borne illness or infection.
Cage
Domesticated rabbits like the Velveteen Lop are bred to be able to live well in a domestic setup. That means that it will be easy for them to adjust to life in an enclosure. Of course, they are not too picky when it comes to the kind of enclosure you give them. Any kind of commercial rabbit cage will be enough for the Velveteen Lop because it is not very picky when it comes to the type of living space you provide it.
It is always best to house the Velveteen Lop in an indoor environment. That is because these rabbits are very susceptible to getting preyed on by different predators due to how they are not the biggest and heaviest types of rabbits. On top of that, having it living indoors keeps it away from infections, parasites, and sudden changes in temperature. As mentioned, Velveteen Lops are susceptible to respiratory illness and infections. Keeping it indoors minimizes the risk of it suffering from illnesses and diseases it can easily contract outdoors.
The general rule when it comes to the Velveteen Lop’s cage is that it should be about five times its adult size. This allows it to feel like it is not living in a room that is too cramped. And because this rabbit can be quite playful from time to time, you have to give it the space it needs to move around and play with the toys you give it inside its cage.
If you want your Velveteen Lop to feel safe inside its cage, you can provide it with a hide box or with a sleeping quarter where it can safely retreat to whenever it feels like it wants to be shy. Also, so that your rabbit does not have to live uncomfortably, avoid cages with wire mesh flooring because that can be painful to their feet. You can top the flooring with anything soft so as to avoid causing injuries to your Velveteen Lop’s feet.
Availability – Where to Get one
Velveteen Lops are not the rarest types of rabbits and can be bought in a lot of pet stores and from reputable rabbit breeders in America since this rabbit has just recently been recognized by the ARBA and even has its own following from rabbit enthusiasts. The Velveteen Lop can be had at a price that ranges from $15 to $150. The cheap ones tend to be the poorest in terms of their overall pedigree. Meanwhile, expensive ones are usually the ones that were bred from parents that were meant for exhibition purposes. If you want a Velveteen Lop that is not too expensive but still has pretty good genetics, you may be able to get one for a price that is close to $100.
How to Care for a Velveteen Lop
Velveteen Lops require the same amount of care as you would give any other domesticated breed of rabbit. They are not the most demanding in terms of the care requirements that allow them to thrive well, but they also are quite unique in terms of what you need to do to make sure that they stay healthy and thriving.
For one, the Velveteen Lop is very demanding when it comes to attention. These affectionate rabbits tend to require a lot of attention and affection on your part so that you can allow it to foster its affectionate side. On top of that, they are also playful from time to time and will need to be given some time outside their cage to run around and play with toys.
While the Velveteen Lop has the same kind of diet that most other domesticated rabbit breeds require, the one thing you need to make sure of is that its diet should be composed of 80% hay at the most because of how this rabbit needs it for is digestive and dental health. Fibrous vegetables and fruits low on starch should also be given as supplements to its overall hay-based diet.
Lastly, Velveteen Lop is more susceptible to respiratory infections and illnesses. It requires that you keep in an indoor environment that allows it to stay warm under constant temperatures. A sudden drop in the temperature or even having it exposed to the cold can very well cause colds.
FAQs
Are Velveteen Lops’ ideal pets?
For those who know how to properly take care of one, the Velveteen Lop is an ideal pet to have due to its well-behaved and mild-mannered personality and demeanor.
Are Velveteen Lops active pets?
Velveteen Lops may get playful from time to time, but they are not too active to the point that they will be difficult to control or handle different types of owners.
For what purpose was the Velveteen Lop bred for?
The Velveteen Lop was mainly bred to be an exhibit rabbit due to how the original breeder wanted it to have lopped ears, a mandolin-shaped body, and the fur of the Mini Rex.
What is the best way to interact with a Velveteen Lop?
Simply cuddling with the Velveteen Lop and having it close by are the best ways to interact with this very affectionate rabbit breed. You can also try to handle the rabbit as this breed is quite docile and calm whenever you try to handle it.
Are Velveteen Lops receptive to getting handled?
Velveteen Lops are docile and calm creatures that any person can easily handle without seeing a lot of problems while doing so.
What is the best kind of food to feed a Velveteen Lop?
Velveteen Lops thrive on a diet that is based mainly on hay but should also be supplemented with healthy vegetables, fruits, and pellets.
Is the Velveteen Lop recognized by the ARBA?
It was only just recently that the Velveteen Lop was recognized by the ARBA. However, there are specific color guidelines and sizes to be followed.
What are the colors of the Velveteen Lop?
Velveteen Lops come in many different colors such as otter, white band, harlequin, shaded, tricolor, agouti, or ticked colors.
