Barrowbunnies Lion Lops sadly now retired
It was with the greatest sadness that I made the decision to cease breeding the orange (and affiliated colours) lion lops because split penis was discovered in the line. After 13 years breeding and perfecting the orange line the decision was made.
Then a few years later the same genetic abnormality was discovered in the 'points' line when an outcross buck was discovered (too late) to have the same issue.
It is known that many lion lops carry/exhibit split penis - further reading https://www.barrowbunnies.com/split-penis.htm
In the States showing a rabbit with split penis is a disqualification and should be here too.
Despite asking for help from other exhibitors for outcrosses none was received. As a result sadly after nigh on 20 years the Lion Lops were pet homed except a few does who went to a young exhibitor.
Mini lops were used in the lion lop lines to help improve type and coat. Because of this they are also remembered as they contributed to our successes on the show bench.
Lion Lops are a very special breed, friendly, loving and fun and will be greatly missed,
Below are images and notes about some of our lion lops and mini lops that helped improve them.
More than anything it is just to keep their memory alive.
Then a few years later the same genetic abnormality was discovered in the 'points' line when an outcross buck was discovered (too late) to have the same issue.
It is known that many lion lops carry/exhibit split penis - further reading https://www.barrowbunnies.com/split-penis.htm
In the States showing a rabbit with split penis is a disqualification and should be here too.
Despite asking for help from other exhibitors for outcrosses none was received. As a result sadly after nigh on 20 years the Lion Lops were pet homed except a few does who went to a young exhibitor.
Mini lops were used in the lion lop lines to help improve type and coat. Because of this they are also remembered as they contributed to our successes on the show bench.
Lion Lops are a very special breed, friendly, loving and fun and will be greatly missed,
Below are images and notes about some of our lion lops and mini lops that helped improve them.
More than anything it is just to keep their memory alive.
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One of the three does who went to young Charlie has shown well for him (Multiple Best of Breeds/Best Lops)
From this doe Sarafina Charlie produced a Best in Show daughter Saffah (congrats Charlie) It is so nice when fellow exhibitors show you the recognition and gratitude for the rabbits and many years of hard work that got one to this point. Charlie is a true lion lopper and I wish him nothing but continued success. Charlie wrote recently on the LLUK Facebook page: 'Well I had a great day and Saint Neots and Cambridge rabbit show, sadly not as many entries due to the extreme weather, my guess is around 100 attended the show, for this choc point lion lop doe she won best lop under Janice Gore and was placed 2nd best adult in show and overall 4th best in show beaten by two lovely Dutch and a New Zealand, for the breed I feel this is a great achievement winning best lop two weeks on the trot it shows the recognition of the breed, I would also love to thank Debs Lucas for helping me along the way gifting me 3 does 1 of which is above when she let go of the breed. It’s you who should be taking the credit for such a stunning lion lop, I am grateful to also have her 3 daughters who were born in my shed now showing along side their mother, her daughter Saffah was placed 3rd best lop today too beating dwarfs and German lops. Thank you Debs you have been a very good friend to me' |
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WALL OF FAME
Sable, REW & Seal/Chocolate/Bluepoint
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A few mention-worthies..
BB Badger had 4 CC's (8 stars) 4 BoB's & 1 Best Lop Diploma. BB Bodger had 3 CC's (7 stars) 3 BoB's Judges comments; J. Malbans-Marriott: Best Lop. A close class with two super type rabbits. Good type, body shape and width, good shoulder. Both with lovely crown, ear shape and drop. Good mane and bib on both, the second rabbit (Bodger) had a slightly better coat but winner (Badger) took it today on overall type and style just having the edge for me. M Nicholson: One I liked, lovely colour and type, good full mane, good ear set. G. Richardson: Lovely cobby type, well rounded, good shoulder, excels mane, nice bib, good coat and colour. Mrs J Gore: Nice class overall, wins on quality of mane, nice type, good head and ears, touch dark in colour, but nice sepia shade. W. Brake: Wins on coat and colour |
BB PJ (Pinta Jn) A beautiful sable boy in looks and personality with his Best Lop Dip under B Trute (pictured above). Went to a 'friend' to help her out and came back with broken teeth where he died a few months later.
Champion BB Hershey (REW) was sold to another exhibitor who decided she didn't want him after all. So he was sold on to another exhibitor who showed him very successfully and he earned many BoB's in Open and Stock shows. Hershey also won many Best in Shows. With all those wins 'under his belt' His owner claimed the first ever Championship Diploma from the LLUK.
Hersey came home to retire back at Barrowbunnies. BB Coral out of Pearl and Zephyr was the sweetest doe. Compact with nice coat, mane etc.
her first show she won BoB. Her second show as The London where she won third best in show Lion Lop UK and second best REW. Coral then went to a young lad to help with his Himi lines. It is lovely that many generations on from there - her progeny are doing very well. |
WALL OF FAME
Agouti, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Chocolate Tort, Sooty Fawn & Orange
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Barrow Bunnies Ginger - was a lovely petite buck out of Ophelia (agouti dm ll doe) and Basil (choc orange sm ll buck).
He was a beautiful colour, with ample mane and bib, good crown, ears and short length of body. Ginger 1CC, 2 stars and 1 BoB 01.04.15 ================================================== Another one due a mention was Heather's Danii a sooty fawn mini lop doe who in her short show life did very well, Her first show she took Best lop, 1st U5 in the show and RU BiS. On her second time out Best Lop. At the London Champs 2011 her third outing she won her class in the U5 section and took 3rd out of 80 in the U5 breed challenge in the Open show and came 2nd in the NMLRC YSS sooty U5 class, all strong classes. She was then retired from showing to move top the breeding programme. In her short showing life as an U5 she gained 4CC, 9 stars, 2 x BoB, 2 x Best Lops (Dips), 1 COM (NMLRC) t6otal 11 stars as an U5. Some of the judges comments; L Keith: A good class. Very nice all round baby. Good head, ears, body and colour. Shown well. Best Lop. G Richardson: Lovely type, head and crown. Good drop. Nice front and bone. Good coat and colour. C Humphries: Nice doe with lovely head shape, crown, ear shape and drop. Good body set on sturdy, well placed feet. Good coat. Unlucky to meet winner. |
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Lion Lop history:
Introduced into the UK by Jane Bramley in the early 2000s. The first maned mutations were discovered in Belgium and northern France where they were developed by various breeders in Europe.
Jane explains: “Although many breeds were used in their development, the significant introductions were a line to Netherland dwarfs which were imported as early lionheads. Another line had been crossed with lops and it was one of these that I used, spending five years crossing with mini lops until I had the type and size required. They were then bred true, only using a mini lop when a new colour was required, which had the added benefit of increasing the gene pool''
“My original experience with the development of the mini lop (without the use of imports) and mini cashmeres helped in my work to create this delightful breed.”
A national club was formed in 2007 and the first show was held at Stafford in June of that year.
If you are interested in showing and breeding to show this lovely breed, come and join us on our breed clubs Facebook page Lion Lops UK
Image designed by Naomi Taylor (shown with permission)
Introduced into the UK by Jane Bramley in the early 2000s. The first maned mutations were discovered in Belgium and northern France where they were developed by various breeders in Europe.
Jane explains: “Although many breeds were used in their development, the significant introductions were a line to Netherland dwarfs which were imported as early lionheads. Another line had been crossed with lops and it was one of these that I used, spending five years crossing with mini lops until I had the type and size required. They were then bred true, only using a mini lop when a new colour was required, which had the added benefit of increasing the gene pool''
“My original experience with the development of the mini lop (without the use of imports) and mini cashmeres helped in my work to create this delightful breed.”
A national club was formed in 2007 and the first show was held at Stafford in June of that year.
If you are interested in showing and breeding to show this lovely breed, come and join us on our breed clubs Facebook page Lion Lops UK
Image designed by Naomi Taylor (shown with permission)
