The Holland Lop is the smallest of the lop-eared rabbit breeds. Very popular as pets, they are lively rabbits, although generally good-natured and friendly. They are active, playful, and will thrive on attention.
Origins
The Holland Lop in the United States is descended from the first dwarf lops developed in the Netherlands during the 1950s, known as Holland Lops or Dwarf Lops in Europe. A dutch rabbit judge and breeder, Adriann de Cock, is generally credited with developing the Holland Lop. He set out to create a miniature French Lop, by crossing the French Lop with the Netherland Dwarf, and while this did not produce lop-eared rabbits, further cross-breeding with English Lops proved more successful. It was difficult to breed Dwarf Lops that were small enough, yet also had good ear carriage (the Netherland Dwarf influence produced smaller rabbits, and also introduced a wide variety of colours, but resulted in upright ears in many rabbits). Years of careful selective breeding resulted in a rabbit very similar in type to the French Lop yet much smaller, and Holland Lops of around 2kg were first shown in 1964. These small lops were soon in high demand, and in 1970, a breed society was established in the Netherlands, with the aim of breeding Holland Lops of around 1.5kg. Holland Lops were first imported to the United States in 1976 and on recognition from the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1979, a Holland Lop club was established. The Holland Lop caused great interest among breeders, and with further imports from europe, the breed soon became one of the most popular show and pet rabbits. (The Holland Lop is known as the Miniature Lop in the UK, the Mini Lop in the United States is most similar to the Dwarf Lop in Britain.)
Appearance
The Holland Lop is the smallest of the lop-eared breeds, weighing around 1.4-1.8kg (3-4lbs).
Holland Lops have a stocky build, with a short, thick-set body, rounded haunches and short, strong legs. The head is broad with a strongly curved profile, and broad, thick ears that hang down beside the head.
Holland Lops may be solid-coloured or have white patches on the head, chest and legs (Broken Pattern).
Holland Lops have a dense coat of soft, medium length hair.
Colour
White (red or blue-eyed), Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Chestnut, Chinchilla, Lynx, Opal, Squirrel, Siamese Sable, Siamese Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoiseshell, Fawn, Orange, Broken
Temperament
Holland Lops are quite lively rabbits, although generally good-natured and friendly. They are active, playful, and will thrive on attention.
Special Requirements
Holland Lops are prone to dental disease, a potentially fatal condition that is often inherited.
Choose a rabbit with a low risk of hereditary teeth problems, from a reputable breeder or rescue centre.
