| The Two Ideal Body Types Of The Mini Lop |
| I have been showing Mini Lops for over four years and have come to the conclusion that there is not one ideal body type of the Mini Lop, but two. This, I am sure is not intentional, or planned but it has happened nonetheless. The two Mini Lop body types, that for the sake of keeping them straight I will call the "Classic" body type and the "Modern" body type, have come into existance partly because of the some what freely interpretable Mini Lop Standard Of Perfection, and the fact that some ARBA Judges have close dealings with Mini Lop breeders or are Mini Lop breeders themselves. The Mini Lop's Standard Of Perfection lists all the desirable body traits as well as the undesirable ones. But because of the slightly vauge description of the Mini Lop's type, the two body types have come into being. The standard states that the Mini Lop should be "compact and balanced." Therefore some Mini Lop breeders have been selectively breeding their Lops to be VERY short and compact. As opposed to having a "long narrow body" which is a fault of the breed. This deep as it is wide body is the "Modern" Mini Lop type which resembles a basket ball with a head. Yet, this "Modern" type is relatively recent so only judges who are affiliated with Mini Lops in some way recognize that this new type is what the breeders are striving for. Many judges who are not aquainted with the Mini Lop breed judge for the "Classic" type. This body type is slightly longer than its width, and has a much more gentle curve of the top line. the "Classic" type looks rather more like a arch than a ball. Moreover, although these two body types are different, they both fit perfectly into the Standard's description. In conclusion, I do not know which of the two body types will finaly be considered the one "true" ideal type. I do know, however that the judge determines who the winner will be. Therefore, with the varied opinions to what the ideal type is, every show will produce different results. ~Jillian Berg |
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| Great Example Of The Modern Body Type Nettel's Smokie Owner: Jennifer Hoover (Click the picture to go to her web page) |
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| Great Example Of The Classic Body Type Vail's Spice Breeder: Karin Vail (Click on the picture to go to her web page) |
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