A Holland lop is breed of rabbit that originated in the Netherlands. Holland lops are the smallest of the lop-eared rabbits and are very common as house pets. The Holland lop is a small, mellow rabbit, which makes it a popular choice for first-time rabbit owners. Other common names for the Holland lop are the dwarf lop or the Netherland dwarf lop.
The Holland lop was first bred in the Netherlands in 1949. The breeder — Adriann de Cock — bred the Netherland dwarf and the French lop to make a rabbit that was both smaller and more manageable than either of the two rabbits. The breed was introduced into the United States in 1976 and was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders’ Association in 1979. The Holland lop should not be confused with the Dutch lop, despite the similarity of the name. The Dutch lop was actually developed in England, and is quite a bit larger than the small Holland lop.
Holland Lops are small bunnies, with a maximum adult weight of 4 pounds (1.8 kg). Their bone structure is very fine, despite their stocky appearance and short, stubby legs. The ears of the Holland lop are wide and long and sit next to their cheeks, which is what makes them considered a lop-eared type of rabbit.
Along with their small size, Holland lops are popular among breeders and owners because of their many different color variations. The most common colors are tortoise shell, fawn, broken orange, blue-eyed white and black. Although these colors are the most common, Holland lops have been bred in more than 20 different colors.
The Holland lop is one of the most popular rabbit breeds for pet owners because of its small size and variety of color. It can be either an indoor or outdoor rabbit, although — as with any rabbit — if the Holland lop is meant to be a house rabbit, its owner should take care to keep electrical cords and other dangerous things well out of the reach of the bunny.
Caring for Holland lops is no different from caring for any other pet rabbits. The most important thing owners should remember is that all types of rabbits need a clean living environment. Their cages should be cleaned every two to three days, as should any feeders or water sources used.
All types of bunnies need water available 24 hours a day. Exercise also is very important for keeping pet rabbits happy and healthy. Holland lops have very fuzzy fur and require brushing every two to three weeks.
