The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit is a breed that originated in the United States. The creation of this small bunny was made possible by crossing Holland Lops, English Spot Rabbits, and French Angoras.
Energetic and lively, American Fuzzy Lops are wonderful pet rabbits for children and adults. They are easy to care for and thrive on spending their time playing with their family.
The American Fuzzy Lop has a manageable wooly coat that needs regular brushing. The breed is not prone to diseases, so it can live up to 5–8 years.
American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit History
They particularly wanted to add a broken pattern variety to the breed’s coat. To achieve this, breeders crossed Holland Lop Rabbits with English Spot Rabbits.
The mating did successfully produce a broken pattern. However, the Holland Lop Rabbit’s rollback fur was lost in the process.
To solve the problem, French Angoras were bred with Holland Lops. This resulted in the introduction of the wool gene into the Holland Lop gene pool. The offspring of the breeding owned long, wooly rollback coats.
That successful breeding was the first mark of the American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit’s existence. These dainty bunnies were sold to rabbit enthusiasts who were charmed by their small size, adorable lop ears, and plush wool coat.
It did not take long for the American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit to get the attention of dedicated breeders, who played a big role in enhancing its unique qualities.
Patty Greene-Karl and Gary Fellers of the American East Coast and Kim Landry and Margaret Miller of the American West Coast were known to be the very first American Fuzzy Lop breeders.
Patty was credited for finding out that the “fuzzy” gene in Holland Lops was recessive. Breeding 2 Holland Lop Rabbits carrying this gene means their offspring will have 25% wooly fur.
This discovery made her decide that these wooly bunnies are a new breed of rabbits.
So Patty named them American Fuzzy Lop Rabbits. In 1985, the breed was presented at the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) convention in Houston, Texas, for the very first time. This rabbit breed became an officially recognized breed by ARBA in 1989.
From that day forward, American Fuzzy Lop breeders strive to create rabbits that perfectly adhere to the breed standard. Thus, it is no surprise that the breed is considered one of the most eye-catching show rabbits today due to its beautiful wooly coat.
Where does American Fuzzy Lop come from?
The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit originally came from the United States. The breed is rarely seen in other countries, making it difficult to find. For this reason, acquiring this rabbit breed can be costly.
American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Appearance
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American Fuzzy Lop Rabbits have a short, chunky body and broad chest. Their shoulders are short, whilst their hindquarters are strong and well-muscled.
Dubbed as the “Head of Fancy,” the American Fuzzy Lop breed is a chubby-cheeked, lop-eared bunny with a charming round face. Its muzzle is short and flat, resembling that of a cat’s.
The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit’s wooly coat is coarse, similar to the Angora Rabbit. It can grow 2 inches in length. One of the most interesting American Fuzzy Lop facts is the breed’s fur can be spun into yarn, although it is not as long as the Angora Rabbit’s fur.
The American Fuzzy Lop breed comes in a variety of colours, including:
- Agouti – A combination of any colour with white (e.g., Chestnut, Chinchilla, Lynx, Opal, and Squirrel)
- Pointed White – A pure white coat colour. White American Fuzzy Lops also come in 2 varieties: the Blue-eyed White and the Ruby-eyed White.
All American Fuzzy Lop Rabbits have distinctive markings, including those with pure white coats. These are usually found around their eyes, ears, and nose.
American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Grooming
The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit’s nails should be trimmed every 1–2 months. Do not let them grow too long as they make it accident-prone. Wearing down your rabbit’s teeth is also important. Thus, make sure to provide lots of rabbit-friendly wood for it to gnaw on.
How do you take care of an American Fuzzy Lop?
American Fuzzy Lops are wooly rabbits, but their coats are easy to groom. Brush them twice a week and pay attention to their tail area as it is prone to matting.
When American Fuzzy Lops moult, increase the frequency of brushing to avoid their coats from getting tangled into clumps.
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American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Temperament
The American Fuzzy Lop breed is a low-maintenance pet. It can get by with minimal grooming and only requires daily sustenance of food and water. As a sociable animal, it also needs lots of attention from its family.
The American Fuzzy Lop does tend to be more skittish and shy than bucks. Thus, it is important to get them acclimated to your presence at an early age. Being tactile with your rabbit whilst it is young will lower its nervousness around people once it matures.
American Fuzzy Lop Rabbits can get along well with other pets, including cats and dogs. With early socialisation and proper introduction, these small bunnies can be smoothly integrated into a multi-pet household.
As American Fuzzy Lops are small and fragile, supervision is needed whenever they are around larger pets.
Are American Fuzzy Lops good pets?
Yes, American Fuzzy Lops are good pets since they are energetic bunnies who love to play. They are wonderful furry companions for people of all ages, from children to seniors.
These small American Fuzzy Lop bunnies should be handled gently, for they are extremely fragile. Accidentally dropping them can break their bones and cause other serious injuries.
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American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Nutrition
Ensure that all of the American Fuzzy Lop’s meals are fresh for it to acquire sufficient amounts of nutrients. If possible, opt for organic vegetables and fruits since they have less exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.
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Don’t forget to provide your American Fuzzy Lop with unlimited fresh water. Place it in a shallow but heavy dish as it allows your bunny to drink easily and doesn’t get knocked over whilst your pet hops around.
Another option is to use an inverted chew-proof water bottle, which you can attach to the cage.
American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Feeding
Timothy hay should be available in your American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit’s food bowl every day. As for pellets, aim to feed your rabbit 1/2 cup of pellets for every 2.2 kilos (5 pounds) of weight.
An American Fuzzy Lop’s diet cannot do without leafy greens. A good rule of thumb to follow would be 1 cup of greens for 0.9 kilos (2 pounds) of rabbit body weight once a day or divided into multiple feedings a day.
Other vegetables aside from leafy greens should be included in your American Fuzzy Lop’s meals too. Its serving guideline is 1 tablespoon per 0.9 kilos (2 pounds) of body weight per day in 1 meal or divided into 2 or more.
Fresh fruits are nutritious and tasty treats for American Fuzzy Lop Rabbits. However, as they are high in sugar, they should be given sparingly to avoid obesity and digestive upset.
The ideal amount of fruit to serve to your bunny is a teaspoon per 0.9 kilos (2 pounds) of body weight daily in one feeding or divided into multiple feedings.
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American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Health
But it doesn’t mean that the American Fuzzy Lop breed cannot contract or develop health problems. Below are some of the health concerns to watch out for when owning this bunny:
- Wool block
- Worms
- Mites, fleas, and ticks
- Tooth and nail overgrowth
Grooming your American Fuzzy Lop rabbit and getting vet check-ups regularly will help prevent these problems. Be sure to keep an eye out for any signs hinting that your furry companion is unwell.
Loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, abnormal stools, and eye and nose discharge are some common symptoms of rabbit diseases.
American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Housing
The ideal hutch size for an American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit is 6 feet L x 2 feet W x 2 feet H. Although this bunny breed is small, it is full of energy and needs lots of space to hop around.
Make sure that the enclosure has a solid floor, as wire flooring can injure your American Fuzzy Lop’s feet. In case you bought a hutch with wire flooring, cover it with a piece of wood or grass mats.
Place 5–6 inches of fresh timothy bedding inside the enclosure for insulation and added comfort. Another suitable alternative to timothy hay is hardwood shavings or straw. Avoid cedar or pine shavings as they release oils that can damage your rabbit’s organs.
Add separate sleeping areas in your American Fuzzy Lop’s hutch too. This pet rabbit is a sociable animal. However, it also needs privacy and alone time. Create a bunny bedroom for it by cutting a hole on an upturned cardboard box.
The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit’s hutch should contain litter trays as well as food and water bowls. Do not forget bunny-safe toys, too, since the breed loves to spend its time playing. The toys can be in the form of toilet rolls, small balls, or buried yummy treats.
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American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Cost of Ownership
Keeping an American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit means creating comfy bunny housing. You will also need to rabbit-proof your home as your pet may chew on anything it finds. These preparations may require you to shell out around £350.
Ensuring that your American Fuzzy Lop bunny is healthy is a top priority. The combined cost for vet check-ups and initial vaccine shots is about £50. The overall cost for health checks and preventative treatments in a year is approximately £50.
Vet bills tend to be expensive and may skyrocket, especially during emergencies. Getting pet insurance helps you access affordable medical care for your American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit. The monthly fee for your pet’s insurance can cost over £10.
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How much do American Fuzzy Lops cost?
Acquiring a standard American Fuzzy Lop costs around £50–£80. However, if you opt for a show-bred American Fuzzy Lop, expect to pay more. Its price can range from £100–£200.
