STANDARD OF PERFECTION
The official American Fuzzy Lop Standard of Perfection is available from the ARBA website www.arba.net. It is also available in the Guide Book when you become a member of our national club the AFLRC. Membership Application
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In general, the AFL will be 4 pounds or less, have a dense, easy care coat at least 2" in length. The body is short and compact, with the width, depth and length measurements being nearly the same, giving the appearance of a round ball, slightly flattened on the bottom, with a very round and appealing head attached closely to the body at medium height, The ears are not fairly short, blending with the roundness of the head, and furred and very thick, placed near the eyes rather than set back on the head. The face should be rather flat looking, certainly not long and pointy, and wide between the ears, eyes and across chubby looking cheeks.
(Excerpt from the Guide Book, Allen Mesick discussion of the ARBA Standard of Perfection for the AFL.)
"Over the years since American Fuzzy Lops were developed and became a recognized breed by ARBA, breeders have worked diligently to develop a well muscled, compact and balanced profile with very good depth of body, beautiful heads, open ears with good substance and shape, as well as wool with excellent texture and density." Allen Mesick
Herbie,
1989 ARBA Best of Breed, bred and owned my Helen McKie
|
2017-18 Fuzzy Lop of the Year, Mona Lisa bred and owned by Tabatha Fenstermaker
|
The last 30 years have seen remarkable improvement in breeding toward the standard. Bodies have become shorter and deeper. AFLs are no longer 'posed' in a relaxed elbows and forearms on the table pose, but shown with their front legs supporting the head and chest, which allows the beautiful head and wide chest to be observed easily.
OFFICial aflrc position on fuzzy hollands
The American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Club does not promote or endorse the intentional interbreeding of the Fuzzy Lop and Holland Lop breeds. The quality of Fuzzy Lops now available nationwide is such that no advantage can be gained by this practice. However, it must be recognized that any animal meeting the breed requirements listed in the ARBA Standard of Perfection is allowable on the show table. A purebred pedigree is not required for exhibition in an ARBA show. Therefore, an animal produced from the interbreeding of Holland Lops and American Fuzzy Lops or a Fuzzy Lop produced from two Holland Lops is permitted to compete in any ARBA sanctioned show, local or national. Any variation in breed background of an animal must be noted on its pedigree and any breeder selling such animals must not misrepresent them to a prospective buyer as being purebred American Fuzzy Lops.
EXPLANATION: Many 'newbies' come into our breed with a fuzzy HOLLAND LOP. Fuzzy Holland Lops are NOT American Fuzzy Lops, although they may appear nearly the same and can be shown as an AFL. Fuzzy Hollands do not have decades of selective breeding and although physical characteristics may be similar, are much more likely to have a problematic coat. Fuzzy Hollands may also exhibit a much higher headset than what is ideal for AFLs.
EXPLANATION: Many 'newbies' come into our breed with a fuzzy HOLLAND LOP. Fuzzy Holland Lops are NOT American Fuzzy Lops, although they may appear nearly the same and can be shown as an AFL. Fuzzy Hollands do not have decades of selective breeding and although physical characteristics may be similar, are much more likely to have a problematic coat. Fuzzy Hollands may also exhibit a much higher headset than what is ideal for AFLs.
