May I ask the stud name of the woman who is giving up, if you don't mind sharing? I'm just curious .

Do not trust that just because someone is BRC registered/intends to show the rabbit they will offer a good home. There are too many people winning in the show circuit whose breeder rabbits are kept in disgusting conditions. As others have said be sure to draw up a contract, check the potential owners out, get vet references if possible.

There are also many who are part of the show community who are still stuck in the past in terms of how they keep their rabbits. Just be aware that sometimes show/breeder homes may not be the best - they'll show stock you've produced, maybe help get your name out there, but the rabbit is rarely a pet and will not be treated as such. As you know, it all depends on the individual. So a whole lot of checking, discussion and if possible visiting their setup (I know, not always practical, but photographs are an excellent alternative) before letting your kits go to show homes. Or pet homes for that matter.

Have you been to any shows and had a chance to talk to some of the big winners about lop structure? Mini lops are a competitive breed to get into if this is your first outing into the show world - large entry numbers, lots of breeders, and the ones that win are usually part of a very good bunch.

Are there any lines you admire, anyone you'd want to base your lines off of? Any breeders you admire?

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I currently have 3 5ft daisy cottages the one with upstairs and run underneath. N I have a big out building that's could fit easily another 15-20.

Its good that you are researching this first, shows you care about your animals and are a responsible person. But i really wish you'd reconsider breeding, 'show standard' means they are bred to look the way people want them too, that often does not help them longterm to be a healthy rabbit, I have a minilop that is 'show standard' shes only 5 years old and has severe arthirits and has never been able to hop properly because of the way she has been bred. There are hundreds of 'show standard' minilops in rescues and the same with lionhead lops, to breed more just adds to the problem.

It would be nice if you could use your time to take on some rescue buns and enjoy them as pets, so they can be neutered and enjoy having a companion, but thats just my opinion.

Good luck what ever you decide to do.

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There are 33,000 bunnies young, middle aged, old, large and small all looking for a second chance and loving home, can you help? www.rabbitrehome.org.uk



If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven, And bring you home again.

My Grandad used to breed rabbits when I was little but only based on personality. It was probably a long shot to be fair but I never had a rabbit that wasn't charismatic.

I must admit I have accidentally bred rabbits once. I bought two rabbits and went to the vets to have them sexed so that we would know whether to separate them or not and he told us they were both female... To cut a long story short Biscuit had 2 babies, one we kept and the other one I gave away to someone that works with my dad, keeps her has a house rabbit and gives her her own bedroom.

My rabbit at the minute has no chance of passing on his genes. When introduced to my Dad's females when we went to visit for a few weeks, he wouldn't stop humping their faces, even when they turned round for him! We decided it was safe to keep them together as after 2 weeks he still wasn't any wiser bless him.

Hi Bunnie
Breeding rabbits is a huge commitment you will spend hours every day cleaning out and socialising. It is a huge expense not only the accommodation but the 6 monthly vaccines.

The best advice I can give you is to attend some local and national shows this spring, ask a relatively local breeder if they would consider taking you under their wing. Visit for a couple of days a month min throughout the year and if your still wanting to breed next spring ask if they would consider letting you have a rabbit they consider to be of breeding standard. Not all the rabbits in a litter make show standard many go as pets.

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