Before you bring home a rabbit, it’s important to do your research on the different breeds. Holland lop rabbits are absolutely adorable and have a ton of personality. They might just be the perfect rabbit for you! So let’s take a look at how to care for Holland lop bunnies and learn other fun facts about the breed.
The History of the Holland Lop Rabbit
Holland lop rabbits look very different from a wild rabbit you’d see outside. That’s because Holland lops are not naturally occurring, but a product of breeding.
A Dutch breeder named Adriann de Cock was on a mission to create the ultimate pet rabbit. He wanted the best qualities of the French Lop, such as their adorable floppy ears, with the best traits of the Netherland Dwarf rabbit, like their compact size.
The first litter was not what he was looking for. The breeds are so dissimilar that he didn’t get all the traits he wanted, like the lop ears. He then took a doe from that litter and bred her with an English Lop buck. From that litter came the beginnings of the Holland lop breed. In 1964, the Netherlands’ Governing Rabbit Council recognized the breed, and the American Rabbit Breeders Association followed suit in 1976.
Thanks to his successful marriage of the best possible rabbit traits, Holland lops have maintained their reputation as popular pets ever since.
Rabbit Fun Facts: Facts About the Holland Lop Rabbit
Here are some quick answers to some of the most burning questions you might have about Holland lop rabbits:
- How big do Holland lops get? A purebred Holland lop will weigh between 2-4 pounds, making it even smaller than a mini lop (the lowest weight of a mini is 3 pounds). However, if you go with the adoption route, you could get a Holland lop mix that’s much bigger. Our Pancake was mostly Holland lop, but he varied between 6-7 pounds during the time we had him.
- How long do Holland lop bunnies live? The Holland lop rabbit lifespan ranges just like every other breed. A healthy rabbit lives to about 8, but it isn’t unheard of for a well-cared-for rabbit to live to 12 or 15. A Holland lop lives on average 6-8, but with lots of love and proper care, they can make it much longer.
- Do Holland lop bunnies shed? When talking about rabbits, the question isn’t so much do they shed but rather how much do they shed. And the answer to “how much do Holland lops shed?” is “a lot.” Every rabbit goes through molting periods as the seasons change, but if you have a Holland lop, be prepared for tufts of hair all over the place.
How to Care for Holland Lop Bunnies
Many people think that their small size makes Holland lop rabbits a great starter pet for kids, but rabbits are not starter pets. It’s very easy to not give your rabbit the real care they need. We here at Creative Haven Homestead believe that cats are better starter pets than rabbits. All they need is food, water, a litter change, and love. Rabbits are a little more complicated.
For starters, you can’t just have any vet care for them. Due to their small size and unique anatomy, to get real medical care for your rabbit, you need to go to a vet certified in exotic animals.
Additionally, you can’t just leave your rabbit locked up in a cage. They need mental stimulation, room to roam, and attention for their caregivers. Rabbit proofing a room is an important part to keeping them safe, and that takes time and effort.
And rabbits don’t instantly trust others. They need a calm, serene environment to come out of their shells, and sometimes kids don’t always know how to offer that.
But if you do your due diligence and offer your Holland lop rabbit everything they need, you’re going to get one amazing pet.
We certainly did! We’ve had two Holland lop rabbits so far, and we’ve loved their special brand of spunk and adorable trademark floppy ears. Adopting a rabbit is such a fun journey, and we wish you the best of luck when bringing your new rabbit home!
