Cashmere Lop

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: February 27th, 2017

About Cashmere Lop

Size

Small

Size

Small

Weight

4-5 lb

Lifespan

8-12 years

Body Shape

Compact

Best Suited For

Rabbit owners of all experience levels, including families with older children

Temperament

Intelligent, friendly, social, playful

Comparable Breed

Mini Lop

Cashmere Lop Breed History/Origin

The Cashmere Lop is a newer breed that was discovered within the nest of Dwarf Lop rabbits by Miss Turner of Wales in 1980. She realized that there was something different about a few of the kits within the nest, as some of them had thicker, longer, and more luxurious coats than the rest.

Six years later, the Cashmere Lop started gaining popularity. By the middle of the ‘90s, the breed began appearing in shows, gaining a bigger audience, and breeders started working on developing the breed so that it could get standardized.

When the National Cashmere Lop Club was founded, it recognized the breed in every color, and the breed is still popular and found in shows around the world. The Cashmere Miniature was first seen about a decade later and the breed was eventually standardized in all colors.

The Cashmere Lop Standard and the Cashmere Mini are recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC), but not by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).

The coat of the Cashmere Lop is silky, long, and thick.

Overall Description

The Cashmere Lop features a compact, firm, and thickset shape. The body, which is powerful despite being small, is described as broad, well muscled, and short, and there is little neck visible. The rump is also well muscled, well rounded, and short, while the chest is deep and broad.

This rabbit’s front legs should be straight, short, and thick, while the hind legs will be powerful, strong, and short, as well as carried parallel with the body. The breed’s tail is also well furred and strong.

The head is broad, bold, and strong, and the cheeks are well developed. The ears should be well furred, long, rounded at the ends, thick, and broad, and they’re carried close to the head. The insides of the rabbit’s delicate ears shouldn’t be visible from any angle. The eyes are bright and bold and the crown is prominent across the skull.

Coat

The coat of the Cashmere Lop is silky, long, and thick. It should be about 1.5 to 2 inches in length, but it should lie beautifully on the animal’s body. This rabbit’s fur should not be woolly. The topcoat is heavier and longer than the undercoat.

Because of their unique coat, these rabbits do require more work than other breeds, especially while they’re young. Until your rabbit is roughly 5 months old, his coat will have a tendency to become matted and knotted, so regular grooming sessions will be necessary using a wire comb suitable for longhaired cats and dogs.

When grooming your Cashmere Lop, you shouldn’t comb out all of the density from the undercoat. Don’t use a comb to thin the coat out; instead, use it to gently break tangles and mats apart. Once your Cashmere Lop is an adult, you should groom him weekly, as well as trim his nails. Pluck out tangles and dead hairs to keep the coat beautiful and keep your pet comfortable.

Colors

The Cashmere Lop showcases all possible colors. These include the self colors, which are ruby-eyed white, blue-eyed white, lilac, chocolate, blue, and black, as well as the agouti colors, which are Chinchilla, lynx, cinnamon, opal, squirrel, and agouti.

Other possible colors include the tan colors, which are marten sable, fox and otters (blue, lilac, chocolate, and black), and marten smoke. You will also find these rabbits in shaded colors, including iron grey, seal point, Isabella, blue point, Siamese smoke, sooty fawn, and Siamese sable. And you will even find Cashmere Lops in any other variety of colors, such as chocolate tort, steel, orange, fawn, and butterfly.

Cashmere Lops make great family pets.

Care Requirements

You can house your Cashmere Lop in a secure environment inside your home or apartment or in your garden. If you are going to set up an outdoor hutch, it should be waterproof and weatherproof, and it should be placed in area that is out of direct sunlight and wind. On the other hand, an indoor rabbit can be trained to use a litter tray, and he can have a crate or cage that he can use to rest in.

Your Cashmere Lop should have access to fresh, clean water at all times, and he can be fed rabbit pellets, a variety of hay, some fruit, and fibrous vegetables, such as kale, dandelions, and cabbage.

Health

The Cashmere Lop is a breed that is generally hardy. Like other breeds, this rabbit’s teeth will grow continuously, so you should provide him with foods like fibrous green veggies and hay to wear the teeth down and keep them from overgrowing.

Another common issue is flystrike, which is more likely to occur if your rabbit is overweight and can’t groom himself. You can also have your pet vaccinated against VHD and myxomatosis, and you can treat your rabbit for ticks, fleas, and worms.

Cashmere Lops are intelligent and can even learn their names.

Temperament/Behavior

Cashmere Lops and Mini Cashmere Lops are great family pets, as they get along well with adults and older children. These animals are engaging, bright, and smart. They will greet the humans that they learn to recognize, and they can even learn their names. Many enjoy being stroked and held as well. Plus, you can train your pet to use the litter tray. Overall, you can expect these rabbits to be friendly and playful.

Photo credit: korovin/Bigstock; oscity/Bigstock

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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A Pittsburg couple was shocked to discover that their dog Cecil decided to have the most expensive snack of his life, after wolfing down $4,000 in cash. According to Cecil’s owners, Clayton and Carrie Law, the seven-year-old goldendoodle is a well-behaved boy who has never really done anything bad before. The couple had withdrawn cash to do a home improvement project, but Cecil had other plans for the envelope full of money. Less than 30 minutes later, Cecil was caught devouring thousands of dollars. “I walked back into the room and then all this cash was on the ground. He’s just like this, standing there, and I’m like oh my gosh, he ate some of this money and was in shock. I yelled to Carrie ‘He ate the money, he ate the $4,000,’” said Clayton Law to CBS News. After the initial shock, the couple discovered that Cecil ate a lot of the bills, but that some were still on the floor, albeit torn up and chewed into pieces. Carrie and Clayton describe their pooch as laid back, weird, funny, and almost human-like, and say that he is typically more of a snuggly couch potato. “He doesn’t do many dog things, he doesn’t chew furniture or clothing, that’s why we were extra shocked when he decided to do this,” said Clayton Law. “He has never in his life tried to get anything from the counter, even coffee table. We could leave dinner and go to the kitchen and grab wine, and he would not touch the food, and he just doesn’t care. He just took this opportunity and ran with it,” said Carrie Law. Once the initial shock passed, the couple contacted their vet to see if the dog needed any treatment. Given the goldendoodle’s size, there was no risk of bowel obstruction and he only needed to be monitored at home. At first, Cecil seemed fine, but in the middle of the night, the Laws were awoken by the sound every dog owner knows - the retching of their dog about to vomit. “When you hear that, you immediately just react, so I jumped out of bed and just made sure that he didn’t throw up anywhere,” said Clayton. “And then I went to pick it up… and I realized there’s a lot of like half eaten and $100 bills and $50 bills here.”That night marked the start of the Law’s unfortunate mission of sifting through their dog’s vomit and poop in an attempt to recover some of their money. Luckily, the couple was able to piece together most of the bills after carefully washing and sorting all the pieces back together. “There we are at the utility sink washing this shitty money, yelling ‘Yay! Yes! We got one!’ It smelled so bad,” Carries confessed. After piecing together as many bills as they could salvage, the couple managed to recoup $3,550. According to Carrie, the bank was really nice about it and told them that these things happen all the time. “They said it actually happens quite a bit because money just picks up so many scents, especially if it’s used in the food industry. I guess dogs pick up on that - they have such a good sense of smell - and something about it just drove him crazy.”Almost a month after the incident, Cecil is doing fine and is still a good boy. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

New Study Shows Which Dog Breeds Are Most Likely to Get Cancer

When it comes to humans, early detection is key when dealing with different types of cancer, and the same is true for canines. Naturally, a healthy diet, daily exercise, and regular veterinary checkups can all help keep your four-legged companion in tip-top condition.But, wouldn’t it be great if you knew in advance that your pooch is more predisposed to cancer? A new study published in Royal Society Open Science shows that there is a strong link between the dog’s size and their likelihood of getting cancer.Leonard Nunney, a biologist at the University of California, Riverside, and the lead author of the study wanted to understand how cancer starts and how it is initiated in different dog breeds. Nunney explained that while humans have an increased risk of developing cancer as they get older, the same isn’t true for dogs.This new study looked at dogs ranging in size from a tiny Chihuahua up to a mastiff, and a giant Great Dane. Despite the popular belief that larger dog breeds are at a higher risk of cancer, it turned out that bigger dogs are at a lower risk of developing any type of cancer simply because they tend to have shorter lifespans compared to smaller dog breeds, which typically live longer. Breeds like golden retrievers, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers are considered large dogs and usually live up to 12 years. This study showed that smaller dog breeds, like Chihuahuas, terriers, and Pomeranians are at a higher risk for developing cancer because they tend to live longer, typically around 15 years or more. While doing their research, Nunney and his team made another discovery. They learned that certain dog breeds, regardless of their size, are more predisposed to developing certain cancers.Nunney lists terriers, specifically West Highland terriers, also known as Westies, as having a higher likelihood of developing bladder cancer. Flat-coated retrievers are prone to a rare type of cancer, called sarcoma, which is found in soft tissues and bones. In addition to these two breeds, Bernese mountain dogs are also more likely to develop cancer than other dog breeds. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, one in four dogs will, at some point in their life, develop cancer. Furthermore, almost half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop some type of cancer. But before you rush to get your dog to the vet for a full checkup, know that just because smaller breeds are more likely to develop cancer, that doesn’t mean they will. According to researchers, only a few dog breeds tend to be predisposed to cancer, as this illness is caused by genetic mutations. The researchers also discovered that while ancestry-based interbreeding reduces the breed’s life expectancy, it doesn’t increase the risk of cancer. Thanks to this new research scientists and animal experts can better understand dog breeds and how their genetics play a role in developing cancer. “Dogs are an extremely good model for understanding the genetic changes that may lead to a higher susceptibility of specific cancers,” added Nunney. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

What to Know About Osteoarthritis in Cats

Osteoarthritis, also referred to as OA, is a condition that’s common in cats – experts have found that 90% of kitties over the age of 12 have it. And because cats may hide the signs, it can be overlooked, so it’s a good idea to learn about the symptoms and keep an eye out for them, especially as your pet gets older. The good news is, if your feline friend is diagnosed with this condition, there are things you can do to help her experience less pain.

How Do I Know if My Dog is Afraid?

Experts often talk about the importance of reading your dog’s body language to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety. But do you sometimes struggle to identify if your dog is really scared or if you’re just reading into a situation? Many common dog behaviors can be misinterpreted – fear or calm, comfort or stress. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. We are here to help! This post dives deep into the basics of canine communication and body language. We’ll highlight some of the more subtle body language cues, behavioral changes, and vocalization that you should be looking out for. Plus, we’ll look at the most common situations that trigger fear in dogs, why these situations can be frightening, and how to comfort and support your dog moving forward. What’s the ultimate goal? Ensuring you have the information needed to build your dog’s confidence, improve your communication, and help them enjoy a world free from unnecessary fear and anxiety. Dedicate the time and energy today to set your dog up for long-term success (avoiding potential health complications from too much stress). Common Signs of Fear and Anxiety in Dogs Life as a pet parent would be much easier if our pups could speak up and tell us exactly what they think in each situation. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality we live in. Instead, we must learn to pick up on their non-verbal communication to build a strong and trusting relationship with our furry friends. Here are a few ways they may be trying to tell you that they are feeling “off” or nervous: Body Language One of the most important ways our pets communicate their feelings is through their body language. This includes the way they stand, the way they move, how they hold their ears or their tail, and so much more. Some signs will be obvious, while others will be more subtle. Here are some of the more common signs of fear and stress related to body language: Excessive panting YawningShowing teethLip-licking Puckering of the lips Whale eyes (showing the whites of the eyes)Large, dilated pupils Ears backward or pressed forward Tail up and stiff or down tucked between the legsCowering or standing with the body low to the ground Attempting to hide Displacement behaviors (sneezing, itching)Shaking or trembling Submissive urination Behavior Changes In addition to changes in how your dog stands or positions their body, you may notice some behavioral changes. You may find that your dog tries to back away or avoid their trigger. On the other hand, your dog may become reactive towards a trigger by jumping or lunging at it. Both these reactions signify stress or anxiety, highlighting the importance of getting to know your dog as an individual. For example, we have two male dogs in our house. When presented with a trigger, Lucifer will hold his ground while Indiana tends to back away or hide.You may also notice changes in how your dog reacts to objects or activities in their regular life. Many dogs, even those who are highly food-driven, will be reluctant to eat or take treats when stressed. Vocal Cues Finally, while we are focusing mainly on non-verbal communication, there are some vocalizations that could help you recognize that something is wrong. Dogs who are nervous, anxious, or afraid may bark at their trigger. They may also whine to show that they are uncomfortable.

Lost Dog Rescued After Surviving Six Years Alone in the Woods

A senior dog found living in the woods in the U.K. has been rescued and is now looking for a loving home.The dog, named Rose, was first spotted near Crawley Down in West Sussex, England. The Lost Dog Recovery UK South shared in a social media post that they’ve received a message from a concerned member of the public about a small black dog running in the road.The person who saw the dog “stopped the traffic” and let the pooch disappear into the woods, knowing it’s best not to follow. After visiting the nearest property, the person learned that locals were familiar with the dog and that drivers often stopped by saying that the pooch had been on the road. The locals explained that the dog was a stray fed by people.The individual who spotted the dog was troubled by the idea of a dog living in the woods and contacted the Lost Dog Recovery rescue organization with this information. Knowing that this could be a case of an “owned dog allowed to roam” the organization decided to investigate by setting out food for the pooch along with cameras to track its movements. The dog was caught on camera five times in two days and by the third day appeared to be waiting for meals.The organization also talked with residents in the area about the dog and were told that the dog was a stray who lived locally for about ten years. The residents also said that the dog should be left alone because was in good condition, fed, and cared for. After talking about this situation with another household, which has been leaving food for wildlife and were allegedly responsible for the dog’s care, the rescue decided to help the dog. Over the following week, the organization established a feeding schedule and confirmed that the pooch was indeed a senior dog. They set a trap for the dog by serving a warm roast chicken and managed to catch her.“Understandably she was shocked and scared, but very gentle, and was taken immediately to the warmth and safety of kennels,” the organization shared.  After taking her to the kennels, the organization made a shocking discovery - the dog was microchipped! Her name was Rose and she had gone missing from her owners less than 24 hours after they adopted her in 2017! A now 12-year-old Patterdale terrier, Rose, has gone missing from Ashurst Woods, located only six miles away from Crawley Down, where the organization found her. Unfortunately, there was no happy reunion for Rose. The organization managed to contact Rose’s registered owners, but they explained that they were in no position to take her back since their circumstances had changed dramatically and they had moved away. “After the initial shock, our absolute joy at finding a long-lost dog is tinged with sadness as there is no happy reunion for Rose; she never got the chance to know the love of her family,” the organization said in a post. They added that Rose is going to need time, patience, and rehabilitation, and being a senior dog she’ll likely need ongoing vet care and medication. Rose is going to be cared for by Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge, U.K. After sharing Rose’s story, the rescue received several inquiries about her from families willing to adopt her and give her a safe, warm, and loving home.“Please don’t leave a dog straying for longer than they have to be...not only for them and their wellbeing but also for the sake of humans who love them,” the organization added. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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