Meissner Lop

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Meissner Lop

Size
Medium/Large
Weight
7.5-10 lb
Lifespan
5+ years
Body Shape
Compact
Best Suited For
Singles, Seniors, House/Apartment, Families with older children, First-time owners, Outdoor/Indoor Rabbits
Temperament
Friendly, playful, gentle
Comparable Breeds
French Lop, German Lop
ADVERTISEMENT

Meissner Lop Breed History/Origin

The Meissner Lop is one of the oldest German rabbit breeds, but it is so rare today that is considered endangered. This breed got it start in 1900, when Leopold Reck, from Meissner (hence the name), decided to breed a large rabbit with a silvery fur, which was quite popular at the time. Although the true origin of the Meissner Lop rabbit is unknown, it is believed that it is the results of crossing French Lop with Mini Silver Rabbit.

Even though it’s not commonly found today, there are many breeders interested in preserving this stunning rabbit breed. Meissner Lop is mostly bred in Europe, and it is recognized by The British Rabbit Council (BRA).

A rare and beautiful breed, Meissner Lop rabbits are an excellent choice for a pet, as they have great, lively personality and sweet nature.

Overall Description

ADVERTISEMENT

Considered to be medium to large sized, Meissner Lop rabbits weigh from 7.5 to 10 lbs. Apart from their unique shimmery coat, these rabbits share most of their physical traits with other lop rabbits. Their body type is compact, and their bodies are stocky, slightly stretched, with arched, well rounded back. Meissner Lop rabbits have a rounded head with the distinct long ears that fall to the sides of their head.

Coat

Meissner Lop rabbits have a beautiful, soft fur. Their coats are very dense, with plenty of guard hair, and of medium length- their hair is around 3 centimeters long. But the most distinctive quality of Meissner Lop’s coat is the silver ticking, which gives it a shimmery, shiny effect. None of the other Lop breeds display this silver dusting, which makes this breed unique. Their fur is easy to groom and doesn’t require any special attention, except during the molting season, when these rabbits should be brushed more often, to help them with shedding and prevent hair from ending up in their digestive tract.

Colors

The Meissner Lop rabbit comes in all self colors, but only four of them are recognized- black, blue, yellow and Havana. Black and Blue Meissner Lops are the most common, while other colors are rarely found, due to their diminished numbers. Regardless of the color of the coat, their fur is always silvered evenly throughout the body (less so on the ears and legs), giving the hair a mesmerizing sheen.

Meissner Lop rabbit is unique among the lop breeds because of their silver-dusted hair.

Care Requirements

ADVERTISEMENT

When it comes to living conditions, Meissner Lop rabbits are no different than other breeds. They can be kept indoors or outdoors, provided that all their needs are met, but, if you want to keep this breed as a family pet, it’s best to keep them in your home. That way, the rabbit can socialize better with his family and will be much friendlier to people.

In both cases, your bunny will need a proper enclosure to spend their time in. Due to their size, Meissner Lop rabbits will require a relatively large enclosure, in which they can lounge around, stretch their legs and sit. The floor of the hutch or the enclosure should be lined with rabbit-friendly bedding, which is to be cleaned daily and replaced entirely every week.

Meissner Lop rabbits are well known as lively and friendly, and they need to be let out of their enclosures each day for some quality playtime. However, when you allow your bunny outside, whether in your yard or indoors, you need to make sure to create a safe environment for them. Inside your home, you’ll need to rabbit-proof everything, hiding or removing any items that could hurt them or that they could damage, like electric cables or dangerous foods. In the outdoor areas, their playing space needs to be fenced and protected from potential predators.

Their diet is the same as that of any other rabbit. They require a lot of hay, with the addition of pellets, fruits, and veggies and a constant source of fresh water. Meissner Lop rabbits are known as good feeders, so they are not usually picky and have a healthy appetite.

Health

Meissner Lop rabbits don’t have any hereditary diseases or breed-specific health issues, but they do need proper care to lead long and healthy lives. The most common problems that affect all rabbit breeds are overgrown teeth, GI stasis, and viruses such as myxomatosis (prevented by vaccination).

Rabbit’s teeth continuously grow throughout their life, so it’s essential to provide them with a way to grind them down. This means you’ll need to feed them a lot of roughage, like hay, which helps their teeth stay in good shape. But, rabbits don’t only nibble on hay and carrots. They are big on grooming themselves, which often leads to hairballs getting stuck in their digestive tract. Since rabbits can’t vomit the hair out (like cats), the hair blocks their intestines, which, if left untreated, can have fatal consequences. To prevent this, groom your bunny regularly and watch out for any warning signs- constipation, lethargy, loss of appetite or poop connected by strands of hair.

Unless you plan on breeding your rabbits, you should consider spaying or neutering. It’s a simple, routine procedure that will make them more calm and docile, prevent potential problems with reproductive organs, and eliminate the possibility of urine marking.

Playful, sweet, and friendly, these rabbits make lovely family pets.

Temperament/Behavior

Not unlike all Lop breeds, Meissner Lop rabbits are friendly, affectionate and sweet-tempered. However, Silver Rabbits are a part of their ancestry, which means these bunnies are more active and lively than other lop rabbits. They will need to be let out of their enclosures each day, because they like to roam about and spend all that energy. Meissner Lop rabbits love playing, so bunny toys and some quality playtime with their owner is all they need to be happy. They enjoy attention and being petted and make great pets for singles or seniors.

As they have a good character and are relatively calm, they can be an excellent choice for families with older children, as well. However, it is important to educate your kids how to safely handle a rabbit, to prevent injuries or accidents.

If you plan on keeping a rabbit as a pet in your apartment or house, litter training them will make things much easier for both you and them. Even though rabbits are not as easy to potty train like, say, cats, with a little patience and effort they can be taught to “do their business” in a designated area.

Photo credit: Infinity T29/Shutterstock; Ivonne Wierink/Shutterstock; minniemayme/Shutterstock

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Shelter Spotlight: Saved by the Heart Companion Animal Services

South Carolina shelter animals have a team of passionate pet peeps in their corner. Saved by the Heart Rescue is on a mission to help special needs animals.

Beabull

The Beabull is a breed of designer dog created by crossing a English Bulldog with a Beagle. The result is a loving dog with a strong, independent streak.

Kitten Album Covers Proves That Cats Rock!

Cats want to rock all night, and meow the rest of the day! We are raising our paws in the air like we just don''t care for this kitten album cover art.

Thai Cat

The Thai Cat is intelligent, clever, and talkative, often telling their owners how they feel. This cat breed can be quite demanding for your attention.

This Kickstarter Pet Robot Is Bound To Be Your Pet’s (Next) Best Fri

Seems every dog shall have its...robot? That''s right--now Fido can get in on all the iBot action with Anthouse''s Pet Companion Robot.

Hatchetfish

Freshwater hatchetfish are a type of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Gasteropelecidae. There are three genera, with nine different species.

Labrottie

The Labrottie is a cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler. These dogs are known for their affectionate and devoted personality.

Top 10 Jammin’ Pajamas For Your Dog

For dogs that want to stay in bed all day, we have just the thing for them. Check out our list of the top 10 pajamas for your dog!?

Tips For Taking Your Cat On Vacation With You

Taking a trip with your kitty? Here are some tips to go over before you leave the house. If you’re planning a trip, you might be tempted to take your b…

13 DIY Natural Flea Remedies for Your Home

If the thought of chemicals leaves you scratching for eco-friendly flea remedies, why not do it yourself? Try these DIY flea busters that are all natural.

The Shocking Truth About Dogs and Garlic

There is a lot of controversy surrounding dogs and garlic on the Internet. Thanks to the research efforts of experts, many believe garlic is good for dogs.

Blue Headed Parrot

If you''re living in an apartment and have always been worried about noise levels, the calm and quiet Blue Headed Parrot might be a good choice for you.

Dogs Wearing Soccer Jerseys Score With World Cup Fans

PetGuide.com can’t wait for 2014 FIFA World Cup to start tomorrow. And when it kicks off in Brazil, we’ll all be watching with our pooches, sport…

Adoptable Dog of the Week – Dukes

Meet Dukes, our Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptadog.com. This senior from Mays Landing, NJ still has lots of life in him and wants to find a home to cal…

Polish Tatra Sheepdog

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog was developed as a mountain herding breed which means that it has a independent nature and a strong will.