08/02/2026
*OPEN LETTER*
Re: Lop Rabbits – The Current Situation in South Africa
*To:* All Members, Breeders, and Exhibitors of all Associations and Clubs within South Africa
*From:* Gavin Grgurin
Chairman – Gauteng Rabbit Breeders Association
Senior All Breeds Judge
Senior Member – SA Rabbit Judges Council
Exhibitor and Breeder
*1. Purpose*
This open letter is written in response to the increasing concern, confusion, and division surrounding Lop rabbits and their current status within South Africa.
*2. Current Situation*
Over recent months, significant debate has emerged regarding the breeding, exhibition, recognition, and welfare considerations of Lop-eared rabbits. Unfortunately, much of this discussion has taken place in fragmented spaces, often driven by speculation, misinformation, and emotion rather than by unified, factual, and ethically grounded dialogue. This has led to uncertainty among breeders and exhibitors, and tension between associations and clubs that should otherwise be working collaboratively.
*3. Project Breed Status*
Lop rabbits in South Africa remain classified as a Project Breed. As such, they are not yet breeding consistently or 100% true to type. This is an expected and recognised phase in the development of any emerging breed and reinforces the need for structured, responsible, and consistent breeding practices.
*Definition:* A Project Breed is a breed under structured development that has not yet achieved full genetic stability or uniform expression of defined characteristics. Animals may display variation in type, size, ear carriage, and other traits as selective breeding progresses toward consistency. This designation does not imply inferiority, but acknowledges that deliberate, controlled breeding is underway, guided by a reference standard, strict selection criteria, and uncompromising welfare and health requirements.
*4. Breed Standard*
For the purposes of guidance, assessment, and responsible development, the standard being followed for all Lop rabbits currently being developed in South Africa is that of the *German Lop.* This standard provides the necessary structure and consistency required during the project phase and establishes a clear framework toward the development of a stable, recognisable breed.
*5. Prohibition of “SA Lop” Marketing*
The sale or promotion of Lop rabbits in South Africa under the designation *“SA Lop”* is entirely unacceptable and must cease immediately. *There is currently no ratified South African Lop Standard*, and marketing rabbits in this manner constitutes a serious misrepresentation of the breed. Such actions undermine the objective of responsibly developing the German Lop and creates confusion, ethical concerns, and reputational risk. All breeding, marketing, and sales efforts must reflect the true status of the project breed.
*6. Responsible Breeding and Placement*
In accordance with responsible project breed development and accepted judging principles:
Any rabbit that does not demonstrate clear, measurable, and ongoing improvement toward the defined breed standard must be permanently removed from any and all breeding programmes.
Animals should not be retained for breeding on a speculative basis as this will be counterproductive.
Placement of these rabbits must be managed responsibly and should not occur in an indiscriminate or unregulated manner.
*Where animals are placed as pets or non-breeding stock, this must be done with full transparency, appropriate disclosure, and safeguards to prevent re-entry into breeding programmes.*
Failure to apply strict selection criteria and responsible placement practices undermines welfare, compromises the integrity of the project breed, and may warrant review under applicable judging, disciplinary, or association governance processes.
*7. Health Standards*
What must be avoided at all costs is the circulation of rabbits to potential breeders or pet owners that do not meet minimum health standards. Distribution of animals with known or suspected health and potential structural concerns undermines welfare, ( E.G. chopped rump, dipped spine, malocclusion, splayed legs, etc). This will seriously impact the credibility of the fancy, breeders concerned, and significantly impedes long-term breed development. Ethical selection, transparency, and responsible placement of stock are non-negotiable obligations of all who are directly or indirectly involved in the development of the German Lop breed in South Africa.
*8. Responsibility of Breeders and Judges*
The responsibility of every breeder, judge, and governing body is first and foremost the welfare of the animals in our care. Breed development, exhibition goals, and personal preference cannot supersede ethical breeding practices, sound husbandry, and the long-term health of the rabbit fancy.
*9. National Cohesion*
At present, there is no single, nationally unified position consistently communicated or applied across all South African rabbit associations regarding Lop rabbits. This lack of cohesion places breeders at risk—ethically, reputationally, and in some cases legally—and undermines the credibility of organised rabbit breeding and exhibition.
It is neither productive nor responsible for individuals or groups to act unilaterally, whether through blanket condemnation, unchecked promotion, or public targeting of fellow breeders and judges. Progress will not be achieved through social media conflict, personal attacks, or selective interpretation of standards or regulations.
However, each one of us as who are concentrating on the ethical development of the Lop rabbit breed in South Africa, *Must* at all times continue to be extremely vigilant and continue to raise any concerns and or issues we are being made aware of. In so doing, as a collective of breeders we can ensure that the breed is being developed in a manner that is not falling outside of our local Associations and Clubs Codes of Ethics Values.
*10. Call for Leadership and Structured Engagement*
Calm leadership, transparency, and structured engagement are required. This matter demands collective discussion between associations, judges’ councils, and experienced breeders, with input grounded in welfare science, international precedent, and the realities of the South African context. Any decisions taken must be clearly documented, formally communicated, and applied consistently throughout the Rabbit Fancy in South Africa.
*11. Conclusion*
This letter is not issued to inflame debate, but to call for responsibility, unity, and measured action. Our shared goal must be to protect the integrity of our associations, the future of ethical breeding, and the welfare of the rabbits entrusted to us.
Respectfully,
Gavin Grgurin
Gatabi Rabbitry
