Rabbit Rave

    The English Lop may be the oldest breed of domestic rabbit known to man.Signs of their existence have been found as far back as 16th century Egypt and Africa.  Many believe that they developed their large ears in order to keep cool in the hot desert heat. (Their blood cools as it circulates through their ears before returning back into their bodies. Built in radiators!) While it's origin is lost in the mist of time. Research has found it existed by 1700. Records indicate that it was exhibited in the British Isles in 1846. Little is known of the development of this fascinating breed of rabbits which is know as the "King Of The Fancy".  English Lops revoked the most favor in England and for many years, it was almost unheard of for any rabbit but the Lop to take the coveted "Best In Show" award. 

There is no ignoring those ears.  The World Record for longest ears is held by an English Lop named Geronimo (owned by Waymon and Margaret Nipper of California) whose ears measured 31.125 inches (from tip to tip)

The ears alone, however, don't necessarily make the rabbit:

^{English Lop Standards
Both the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and the British Rabbit Council (BRC) have published official standards describing ideal English Lop Rabbit; rabbits in show competition are judged according to the degree to which they fulfill the model defined by the standard.}

^{The ears must balance with their bodies.  When the ears are gathered back over their body they should meet with the highest point above the hips. (About a 3/4 ratio) The ears should also balance themselves.  The ideal width is one quater of the length.}

^{They are judged with their chins flat on the table allowing their body shape to show.  The body should have a good "mandolin" shape.  The shoulders should be about two fingers long connecting to a "rise" that climbs to a high pint above the hips and round over the hind quarters with "fullness".}

^{There two varieties of the English Lop; solid or self colors and broken colors (colors broken by white). The colors within each variety are not judged separately: all colors are grouped together and the various broken colors are considered a separate group.}

^{Good color, including conformity of the eye color, is allowed 5 points out of possible 100-point total for the English Lop.}

^{General type is allowed 72 points. With head allowed 10 points and ears allowed 30 points, they outweigh the 25 points allowed for the body. Together, feet and legs are given 5 points. the tail is given the minimum amount of 2 points. Fur is allowed 5 points, markings 8 points and condition 10 points.}