Holland Lop Rabbit – Complete Breed Guide & Top Facts
Holland Lop Originating from the Netherlands, the Holland Lop is the smallest of the lop 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 keep as pets because they are also very good with children. Weighing just 2 to 4 lbs, these fluffy little bunnies have the traditional floppy ears and would be a great fit in any home.
Source: Hook’s Hollands
Fortunately, the Holland Lop rabbit doesn’t need too much care and is an easygoing rabbit. If you’d like to learn more about this rabbit and see if they might be the breed for you, continue reading below.
HISTORY OF LOP HOLLAND Habit
The Holland Lop is one of the most popular rabbit breeds, both in the United States and around the world. This breed was recognized by the Dutch Rabbit Board in 1964 and by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1976. They have been a worldwide favorite ever since!
However, Holland Lop does not grow naturally and was actually created by a breeder. This breeder wanted to create a rabbit with the best traits and characteristics a rabbit can have! Let’s take a look at their breed origins below.
GENERAL GENERAL
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 were so different, the results were not what de Cock expected. These rabbits still had erect ears, not the floppy ears we know rabbits have today.
In 1952, de Cock took a female doe from that litter of six and bred her with a British Lop buck. He finally bred a Holland Lop rabbit and the rest is history!
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOLLAND LOP
The Holland Lop is a very popular breed of rabbit for a number of reasons. Not only do they have a great temperament, but they are also a small breed and will fit in most homes.
These bunnies are usually born with set sizes of three to five, although kits can be as large as nine! A Holland Lop rabbit will cost around $15 to $30, although if you’re looking for a quality Dutch you could expect to pay between $75 and $100, if not more. You should always make sure that you are buying from a reputable breeder.
APPEAR
The Holland Lop Rabbit is a small and compact rabbit breed that weighs 2 to 4 lbs. They have a wide and short body style that gives them a stocky appearance, along with their short and thick legs. They pose similar to a cat, mostly lying on their hind legs and just slightly on the front paws.
Their faces are flat and round and they have a broad head with a distinctive tuft of feathers on the back, called a crown. Females tend to be larger than males.
Their most striking feature is their drooping ears that make them look so adorable. However, their ears usually don’t grow long until they’re about two months old, if not larger.
CLOAK
The Holland Lop has a short, thick, medium-length coat with curled fur. This means that when stroked from the opposite direction, it will return 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 Dutch grooming later.
COLOR
The possibilities of color combinations for the Holland Lop rabbit are huge! This breed is recognized in a variety of colors and groups. They are divided into two categories: solid (only one color) and broken (containing patches of one or two other colors).
Then there are many other types of models, such as front, self, broken, shaded, wideband and marked. Popular colors include black, chestnut, chocolate, tortoiseshell, cream, orange, frost, seal, lilac, blue, white, chinchilla, lynx, and opal.
PERSONALITY
Although each rabbit has its own personality, the general personality of the Holland Lop rabbit is wonderful. These gentle, friendly and sociable rabbits love their owners and just want to be with them. They love attention and will enjoy being petted and spending time with you.
Playful and active, these bunnies love spending time outside and would certainly benefit from some toys to play with. However, they’ll also enjoy quiet time and won’t be afraid to snuggle up in your lap and watch TV with you!
While these rabbits are one of the sweeter and more docile breeds, they won’t mind biting you if they’re scared or nervous. You should always respect your rabbit’s personal space, especially when they first arrive in your home.
EARLY AGE
These floppy-eared rabbits have a fairly long lifespan, averaging 7 to 14 years.
KNOW HEALTH ISSUES
Like all rabbits, Holland Lop rabbits are prone to a number of health problems. We have outlined the main concerns below.
– Misalignment – this is when the upper and lower teeth are misaligned so that the chewing process takes place normally without wearing down your rabbit’s teeth. Regular dental check-ups 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 the accumulation of dirt in the ear. Make sure your rabbit’s ears are clean.
– Ear mites – this is a common parasite of domestic rabbits. You may see rabbits shaking their heads a lot if they are affected. Your vet should be able to treat them.
– Pores – caused by standing in unsanitary conditions or wired floors. Floors must be cleaned and maintained regularly.
– Hairballs – this is caused by ingesting hair when combing. Make sure you brush your rabbit, especially during shedding season, to remove loose hair. Loss of appetite is a common symptom. See your veterinarian if you suspect your rabbit has a hairball.
Like all rabbits, they can also develop back problems if handled incorrectly or accidentally dropped.
Regular vet visits will ensure that you catch any health problems before they become too serious. You should also make sure that you are buying from a reputable breeder.
DAILY LIFE
Now that we know all about the Holland Lop rabbit traits and traits, it’s time for us to take a look at what everyday life with one of these pets really is like. Fortunately, they are easy to care for. We will cover their food and diet, their grooming needs, and their exercise and space requirements.
FOOD AND DIET
The exact amount you should feed your Holland Lop rabbit is based on their size, age, and activity level. They should eat a portion of hay at least their body size each day, along with pellets and fresh vegetables. Fresh water should also be available to them at all times.
Hay is important because it helps keep your Holland Lop digestive system active, as well as helping to wear down teeth so they are less prone to dental problems. At least 70% of the rabbit’s diet should be hay.
High quality supplementary pellets provide extra vitamins and minerals to help keep rabbits healthy. Take a look at a type of supplement that we recommend below.
BEST FOOD FOR THE HOLLAND LOP RABBIT
We recommend Science Selective rabbit food for Holland Lop rabbits. This pellet feed is 100% natural and guaranteed with no selective feeding. High in dietary fiber, these tablets also contain prebiotics to support digestive health and are fortified with vitamins and minerals. There is also flaxseed for healthy skin and a healthy coat. With no added sugar, 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 important that you give your rabbit enough exercise each day to keep them active and happy. They should have at least three hours to spare, whether this is when they’re out in the garden in the garden or just around the house.
The Holland Lop is a very active rabbit and will want exercise most of the day. When 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 external pens to keep them safe and secure so they can exercise unattended.
Exercise is very important for the health of your rabbit. It helps keep their joints active, keeps them entertained and ensures that they stay at a healthy weight. Mental stimulation is also important, so think about buying your Dutchman some toys so they don’t get bored.
FAMILY TRAINING COMPATIBILITY AND FAMILY
One of the more gentle, friendly and docile rabbit breeds, the Holland Lop makes a great family pet. They get along well with everyone, including children, and will love being the center of attention. The Dutchman is also a very adaptable breed, and so can make a good pet for first-time owners, individuals, couples and large families.
These rabbits are an intelligent breed and can be easily trained. They can live like a house rabbit and are taught how to use a litter box so you can leave them free in the house. They can even learn to come when their name is called!
The Holland Lop Rabbit can thrive as an indoor rabbit or an outdoor rabbit, however, they love being outside! An active rabbit, you should try to release the rabbit outdoors with lots of running and jumping if you have the space. Otherwise, an indoor hutch with high activity will also work.
Hutch should be large enough that they can easily move inside. Try to stay away from huts with wire floors as they can cause pain to your rabbit. Take a look at the hutch we recommend below.
