Rabbit Breed Profile: The Cashmere Lop

If you love fuzzy bunnies with floppy ears, you'll definitely want to give a look at the adorable Cashmere Lop. In development since the 1980's, this cute and cuddly rabbit is known for his sweet face, soft fuzzy coat and his calm disposition. While there are a couple of challenges to owning the breed, most fans of the Cashmere Lop will tell you that the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Be forewarned, however - one snuggle from these love-bunnies and your heart will be lost!

The History of Cashmere Lops

According to Meg Brown of "Exhibition & Pet Rabbits," the first Cashmere Lops were discovered in a nest of Dwarf Lops, in 1980, by a Miss Turner of Wales. It would only take 6 more years before the breed had gained enough popularity that the National Cashmere Lop Club would be founded. Roughly 10 years later, the Mini Cashmere Lop would also become an accepted breed and would quickly gain popularity amongst rabbit breeders and pet owners alike.

Surprisingly, the Cashmere Lop is not the result of crossbreeding but, instead, resulted from a mutation in the rabbit's coat. By breeding like rabbits, that also carried similar mutations, the genetics could be pinpointed enough to steadily produce lops with the desired long and cuddly-soft coats. Over time, and using selective breeding practices, rabbit fanciers were able to develop the exact coat quality and type that would make the Cashmere Lop and Mini Cashmere Lops the signature breeds they are today.

The Beauty of Cashmere Lops

The Cashmere lop has a very bold body type, giving the impression of a compact and well-muscled frame. His head is well rounded and set upon a body that is equally round and stocky, with ears that should form a horseshoe-like shape when looking straight on at the rabbit. According to the breed standard, the inside of the ears should never be visible from any angle, when the rabbit has the ideal ear carriage. Adult Cashmere lops should weigh between 4 lbs. 4 oz. and 5 lbs. 4 oz. while the Mini Cashmere Lops should weigh no more than 3 1/2 lbs. as mature adults.

The coat of the Cashmere lop is his crowning glory; it should have a good density without seeming too wooly. The topcoat of the Lop should be heavier than the undercoat, as well as noticeably longer. When the coat is in full length and good condition, it should be roughly 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length and should hang naturally. While a few stray white hairs are merely a fault in solid colored rabbits, any kind of waviness in the coat is a disqualification from the show table.

If you're looking for a wide variety of colors in a rabbit, then look no further than the Cashmere Lop. They are known for their wide array of beautiful colors and shades. The accepted colors of the Cashmere Lop and Mini Cashmere Lop are as follows:

Self Colors: Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Blue-eyed White (BEW), Ruby-eyed White (REW)
Agouti Colors: Agouti, Chinchilla, Cinnamon, Lynx, Opal, Squirrel
Shaded Colors: Bluepoint, Iron Grey, Isabella, Sealpoint, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke, Sooty Fawn
Tan Colors: Fox and Otters (Black, Blue, Chocolate and Lilac), Marten Sable, Marten Smoke
AOV (Any Other Variety) Colors: Butterfly, Chocolate Tort, Fawn, Orange, Steel

Grooming the Cashmere Lop

Before choosing to raise this particular breed of rabbit, it's important to know that they can be quite a bit of work, particularly when they are younger. Up until the rabbit reaches about 5 months of age, their coats have a strong tendency to knot and become matted unless you groom them regularly. This will require a wire comb that is suitable for long-haired dogs and cats and your own fingers.

One of the most important aspects about grooming the Cashmere Lop rabbit is to realize that you don't want to comb all the density out of their undercoat. Combs should only be used to help gently break apart mats and tangles - you shouldn't use it to thin out the coat. The density of your rabbit's coat, combined with the longer silky guard hairs are what give the Cashmere Lop his unique "poured on from above" appearance. Because of the difficulties with fur quality in young Cashmere Lops, many breeders don't start exhibiting them until their adult coats come in.

Caring for the adult Cashmere Lop should only require a weekly grooming and keeping his nails properly trimmed. Plucking out any dead hair or tangles will help keep your Cashmere Lop beautiful and comfortable.

Keeping the Cashmere Lop as a Pet

Cashmere Lops and Mini Cashmere Lops make excellent pets for older children and adults alike. They are bright and engaging, often capable of learning their own names and quick to greet people that they recognize. Most enjoy being held and stroked, making them a great little companion pet. Also nice, is that they don't require as much space as some of the larger breeds. Cashmere Lops make excellent indoor or outdoor pets, provided they are placed in a safe and secure environment.

Sources:

Personal experience as a long-time rabbit owner and breeder

http://cashmerelop.webs.com/ - History and Grooming Information on the Cashmere Lop

http://www.thebrc.org/standards/L1-Lop%20Cashmere.pdf - Breed Standard for the Cashmere Lop

http://www.thebrc.org/standards/L2-Lop%20Cashmere%20Miniature.pdf - Breed Standard for the Mini Cashmere Lop