Meissner lop
Oryctolagus cuniculus dom.
- FamilyRabbits and hares (Leporidae)
- Weight3,5 – 5,5 kg
Highly prized fur
At the end of the 19th century, two merchants from the town of Meissen in eastern Germany decided to start breeding a large rabbit, which was already popular due to the then-high demand for its silver-grey fur. The breed now bears the name of its place of origin.
Sheep with big ears
The ears of a Meissner lop can measure up to 42 cm long. Its head features a slight arch, known as the crown, which when viewed in profi le is reminiscent of the head of a male sheep or ram. From this comes the German term “Widder” for lop rabbit, meaning ram.
Lop rabbits are born with erect ears. Their ears only begin to tilt after about four to six weeks and become lop ears.
Distribution
