Originating from the Netherlands, the Holland Lop is the smallest of the lop rabbit breeds. These cute and cuddly rabbits are a very popular breed thanks to their sweet nature and good temperament. They are a favorite breed to have as a pet as they are very good with children, too. Weighing only between two to four lbs, these fluffy little bunnies have the traditional floppy ears of a lop breed and will fit well into any home.
Fortunately, the Holland Lop rabbit does not have very high care needs and is an easy-going rabbit. If you’re interested in learning more about this rabbit and seeing whether they might be the breed for you, keep reading below.
History Of The Holland Lop Rabbit
The Holland Lop rabbit is one of the most popular rabbit breeds, both in the United States and around the world. This breed was recognized by Netherlands’ Governing Rabbit Council in 1964 and by the American Rabbit Breeder’s Association (ARBA) in 1976. They have been loved all over ever since then!
However, the Holland Lop did not evolve naturally and was actually created by a breeder. This breeder wanted to create a rabbit that had the best traits and characteristics a bunny could have! Let’s take a look at their breed origin below.
Breed Origin
The Holland Lop rabbit was first bred in the Netherlands in the 1950s. A Dutch breeder named Adriann de Cock wanted to combine the French Lop and the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit to create the ultimate rabbit!
Unfortunately, because the two breeds are so dissimilar, the result was not what de Cock was looking for. These rabbits still had erect ears and not the lop ears that we know the breed to have today.
In 1952, de Cock took a doe from that litter of six and bred her with an English Lop buck. Eventually, he managed to breed a Holland Lop rabbit and the rest is history!
Characteristics Of The Holland Lop Rabbit
The Holland Lop is a very popular breed of rabbit for a number of reasons. They do not only have a wonderful temperament but they are also a small breed and fit well into most homes.
These rabbits are normally born in kit sizes of between three and five, although kits can be as big as nine! A Holland Lop bunny will cost around $15 to $30, although if you are looking for a show-quality Holland then you may end up paying between $75 and $100, if not more. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
The Holland Lop rabbit is a small and compact breed of rabbit that weighs between 2 and 4 lbs. They have a wide and short body type that gives them a stocky look, along with their short, thick legs. They pose similarly to a cat, resting mostly on their hind legs and only slightly on their two front feet.
Their faces are flat and round and they have a broad head with a distinctive puff of fur at the back, known as the crown. Females tend to be larger than males.
Their most prominent feature is their lop ears which give them an adorable look. However, their ears don’t normally lop until they are about two months old, if not older.
Coat
The Holland Lop rabbit has a short, dense coat of medium length with rollback fur. This means that when the fur is stroked from the opposite direction, it returns to its original position. Fortunately, the coat does not require too much grooming to keep it in good condition. We will go into more detail about grooming the Holland later on.
Color
The color combination possibilities for the Holland Lop rabbit are huge! This breed is recognized in a variety of colors and groups. They are divided up into two classifications: solid (one color only) and broken (which contain patches of one or two other colors).
There are then further types of patterns, such as agouti, self, broken, shaded, wide band and ticked. Common colors include black, chestnut, chocolate, tortoise, cream, orange, frosty, seal, lilac, blue, white, chinchilla, lynx and opal.
Temperament
While every bunny has their own personality, the general temperament of the Holland Lop rabbit is wonderful. These gentle, friendly and sociable rabbits love their owners and just want to be around them. They love attention and will love to be petted and spend time with you.
Playful and energetic, these bunnies like to spend time outside and will certainly benefit from some toys to play with. However, they’ll also love quiet time and won’t be afraid to hop into your lap and watch TV with you!
While these rabbits are one of the sweeter and more docile breeds, they won’t be afraid to nip at you if they are scared or nervous. You should always respect your rabbit’s personal space, especially when they are new to your home.
Lifespan
These lop-eared rabbits have a relatively long life expectancy and can live for between 7 and 14 years on average.
Known Health Issues
Like all rabbits, the Holland Lop rabbit is prone to some health problems. We have laid out the main concerns below.
– Malocclusion — this is when the upper and lower teeth are misaligned so that the normal process of chewing doesn’t wear down your rabbit’s teeth. Regular dental checkups are very important.
– Otitis Media — this is an infection of the inner ear and, if left untreated, can spread to the upper respiratory tract. It can be caused by dirt buildup in the ears. Make sure your rabbit’s ears are clean.
– Ear Mites — this is a common parasite of pet rabbits. You may see your rabbit shaking their head a lot if they are affected. Your vet will be able to treat them.
– Sore Hocks — this is caused by standing in unsanitary conditions or wire floors. Floors must be cleaned and well-maintained regularly.
– Hairballs — this is caused by ingesting fur when grooming. Ensure you brush your rabbit, especially during shedding season, to remove any loose fur. Loss of appetite is a common symptom. Visit your vet if you suspect your rabbit has a furball.
Like all rabbits, they can also suffer from back issues if they are mishandled or accidentally dropped.
Regular vet checkups will ensure that you catch any health problems before them become too serious. You should also make sure that you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Holland Lop rabbit, it is time to take a look at what everyday life with one of these pets is really like. Fortunately, they are easy to take care of. We will cover their food and diet, their grooming needs and their exercise and space requirements.
Food And Diet
The exact amount you feed your Holland Lop rabbit should be based on their size, age and activity level. They should be eating a portion of hay that is at least as their body size every day, alongside pellets and fresh vegetables. Fresh water should also always be available to them.
Hay is very important as it helps to keep your Holland Lop’s digestive system moving, as well as helping to wear down their teeth so they are less prone to dental issues. At least 70% of your rabbit’s diet should be hay.
High-quality supplementary pellets help to provide extra vitamins and minerals that keep your rabbit healthy. Take a look at a supplementary pellet food we recommend below.
Best Food For The Holland Lop Rabbit
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01BHVDSGS” locale=”US” tag=”animalcor-20″]Science Selective Rabbit Food[/easyazon_link]
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We recommend the Science Selective rabbit food for the Holland Lop rabbit. This pellet food is 100% natural and will ensure no selective feeding. High in fiber for dental wellbeing, these pellets also contain prebiotics to support digestive health and are fortified with vitamins and minerals. There is also linseed included for healthy skin and a healthy coat. With no added sugars, you can be sure your rabbit is getting a complete and balanced diet.
Exercise
In the wild, rabbits run around three miles a day. Therefore, it is very important that you give your pet rabbit enough exercise every day to keep them active and entertained. They should have at least three hours of free-range time, whether this is out of their hutch in the garden or just around the house.
The Holland Lop rabbit is a very active bunny and will want to be exercising most of the day. When they are bored, they can become destructive. They will love it if you have a yard or garden for them to run around. You can also buy outside pens that will keep them safe and secure so they can exercise without supervision.
Exercise is very important for the well-being of your rabbit. It helps to keep their joints moving, keeps them entertained and ensures they stay at a healthy weight. Mental stimulation is also very important, so think about buying your Holland some toys so they don’t become bored.
Family Compatibility and Trainability
One of the gentler, friendlier and more docile breeds of rabbit, the Holland Lop rabbit makes a wonderful family pet. They get on well with everyone, children included, and will love be the center of attention. The Holland is a very adaptable breed of rabbit too, and so can make a good pet for first time owners, individuals, couples and large families.
These rabbits are an intelligent breed and can easily be trained. They can live as a house rabbit and be taught to use a litter tray so you can let them have free rein of the house. They can even learn to come when their name is called!
The Holland Lop rabbit can thrive either as an indoor rabbit or an outdoor rabbit, however, they do love to be outside! An active bunny, you should try to house your rabbit outdoors with a large run if you have the space. If not, an indoor hutch with a large run will also work.
The hutch should be large enough that they can easily move around inside. Try to stay away from hutches with wire floors as these can cause sore hocks within rabbits. Take a look at the hutch we recommend below.
Best Hutch For The Holland Lop Rabbit
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00BB7GHPI” locale=”US” tag=”animalcor-20″]Merry Products Tudor Rabbit Hutch[/easyazon_link]
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We recommend the Merry Products Tudor for the Holland Lop rabbit. Measuring 24.21″ D x 38.98″ W x 45.08″ H, this hutch is large enough to house the Holland Lop and is even big enough to home two bunnies if you decide to give them a friend!
With two stories, the upper level is lockable so you can keep your rabbits safe at night and there are doors on the lower level to allow your rabbit free rein over the yard during the day. There is also a removable bottom pan for the upper area as well as two extra doors that makes cleaning much easier. Even better, this rabbit hutch is made of durable wood and metal and is waterproof and weatherproof.
Grooming
The Holland Lop rabbit does not require too much grooming. You should be brushing these rabbits twice a week with a slicker brush or a fur splitter to keep their fur in good condition and tangle-free.
During molting season, you will need to be brushing them more often. This is because rabbits groom themselves and, if they ingest too many loose hairs, it can create a furball which can be fatal.
You should very rarely bathe your rabbit. It is not really necessary, unless they are really dirty. Bathing can also be a traumatic experience for them.
Holland Lop FAQ’s
Can I adopt a Holland Lop rabbit?
If you do not want to buy a Holland Lop rabbit, you could always adopt. Check your local animal shelter to see if there is a rabbit that is in need of a home. Often, rabbits in shelters have already been vaccinated, dewormed and spayed or neutered, so you do not need to worry about the extra cost.
How big should my rabbit’s cage be?
The rule with rabbits is: the bigger the better! If you have the space for a big hutch then your rabbit will always appreciate the extra room to roam and exercise. No one wants to be stuck in a cramped space!
If you do not have a lot of space, then the cage should be at least 4 times the size of the rabbit. A guide is 24″ by 36″ for smaller rabbits (less than 8 lbs) or 30″ by 36″ for larger rabbits. Hutches with multiple stories are also popular as they give your bun more space.
Summary
The Holland Lop rabbit is one of America’s most popular rabbit breeds and it’s not difficult to see why. Small and compact, these cute and cuddly rabbits not only don’t take up a lot of space, but also don’t have very high care needs. Friendly, easy-going and affectionate, they also bond well to the entire family and are very good with children. Ensure you give this rabbit a lot of exercise and time outside and they’ll be your best friend! Do you think the Holland Lop could be your next pet?