American Fuzzy Lop Rabbits

Learn more about the American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Breed. Discover cool facts, pictures, resources and find information about caring for American Fuzzy Lop Rabbits.

This rabbit breed information page is part of our rabbit breeds article series.

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Resource Links: Free Rabbit Breeders Newsletter | American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Breed Info | American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Information and History | American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Care | American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Resources

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Breed Info

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit BreedRecognized Colors:  many.  

Size:  Maximum of 4 pounds when full grown.

National Specialty Club: www.aflrc.weebly.com

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Breed Photo Credit: exoticsandmore.blogspot.com

 

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Information and History

What’s little and floppy and cute all over?  The American Fuzzy Lop, of course!  With lots of personality wrapped in a fuzzy four-pound package, the “AFL” is gaining in popularity, especially among female rabbit fanciers.

The AFL a dwarf breed, carrying the dwarf gene which contributes to both the small size and the short, wide heads and bodies that fanciers so desire.  In an ideal “Fuzzy,” the head is set moderately high on the shoulders of a very round, compact body.  The legs should be short and thick.  A ridge of cartilage at the top of the head (called a crown) causes the ears to fall against the side of the head, as is the case in most lop breeds.  AFL fur is actually long hair called wool.  The wool can be spun into yarn despite being only about 2 inches in length.  Fuzzy lop wool is coarse next to that of an angora.  This coarse texture is desirable because it means that the coat is not prone to tangling or matting, making the AFL much easier to care for than larger wooled breeds.  Coats do not require daily grooming except during a molt.  Every few days you should run your fingers through a Fuzzy’s wool to work out the tangles and debris.  Be sure to check the vent area for droppings and bedding that can get stuck in the wool.  As with all rabbits, you should avoid giving AFL’s a full bath, but “spot clean” their coats to remove stains.

Does the American Fuzzy Lop sound like a Holland Lop with long hair?  Well it’s very similar; that’s how Fuzzies came to be!  Soon after Holland Lops came to this country, breeders crossed them to an English Spot in order to gain the broken pattern.  Along with the desirable color genes came short “flyback” fur.  (The Holland should have a 1” rollback coat.)  To correct the problem, breeders crossed to a French Angora.   The wool gene introduced by the Angora is recessive, so Hollands can have normal fur and still carry it.  When two carriers of the wool gene are bred together, surprise!  A fuzzy lop is born.   A number of individuals turned these wooled Hollands into their own breed, accepted by the ARBA as American Fuzzy Lops in 1988.  Although Holland Lops still throw wooled sports today, the American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Club does not encourage using them in an AFL breeding program, stating that “the quality of Fuzzy Lop now available nationwide is such that no advantage can be gained by this practice.”  (Source: www.aflrc.weebly.com)

The small size, inquisitive personality, and easy-care coat makes the AFL suitable for a pet, 4-H project, or show animal.

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Care

Here is a list of resources to help you care for your american fuzzy lop rabbits…

American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Resources

Here is a listing of american fuzzy lop rabbit resources to help you out with your rabbit project…

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