CHAPTER II 



THE LOP 



WHATEVER differences of opinion there are and they 

 are many and great about a variety of matters amongst 

 Rabbit fanciers, I think they are pretty well agreed on two 

 matters, namely, that the Lop is the oldest variety of 

 fancy Rabbit known in this country and that it is of 

 British origin. At least, I have not heard either of 

 these points disputed, so will take it that they are allowed 

 by all. 



In the early days of my Rabbit keeping, I think Lops 

 were held in much more estimation than they are now, 

 and this may be owing to the many varieties which have 

 been brought forward, requiring less expense to keep, less 

 trouble to bring to perfection, and with more chances of 

 being shown early in their career and often. At one 

 time, if you heard of a high price being paid for a 

 rabbit you might almost take it for granted the animal in 

 question was a Lop, but of late years I expect the best 

 sales have been amongst the Belgian Hares and Old 

 English, both of which have made rapid strides in 

 public favour and consequently increased greatly in value. 



There is something dignified, substantial, and what we 



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