Bunny Breed Guide: Mini Lop/ Holland Lop Rabbits

If you've ever been to a pet store, then you are probably already familiar with the mini lop (also known as the Holland Lop). These little floppy eared bunnies have found great favor in the pet trade, in spite of the fact that oftentimes their natures are more skittish and less friendly than those of their larger, less compact counterparts. Fact of the matter is, Mini Lops are ridiculously cute, especially as kits, and it is hard to resist their little faces and big floppy ears.

Mini Lops can be good pets, but think of them a little like terriers. A terrier may be a small dog, but it needs a great deal of space to run in. Even though your mini lop may be small, he or she will probably need more space and exercise than a larger rabbit. Mini lops are also known for being more temperamental in general, so be prepared to spend some time with your mini lop before he or she becomes the cuddly little critter you had hoped for. (Disclaimer: This is one of those times where people disagree. Some people find Mini Lops to be the most charming creatures on planet earth and claim that they love to be handled and to love and snuggle on you. My personal experience is that they will leave scars if you annoy them too much, but as always, there are exceptions to every breed standard, and to every supposition.)

What I can tell you for sure is that Mini lops should be around 1.5 kgs or 3.3 pounds when fully grown.

If you intend to show your Mini Lop, you should be looking for the following characteristics:

Head: Bright eyes and nice floppy ears are the most noticeable features of the Mini Lop head. The eyes should not be too close together, and should be nice and large. The ears should hang nicely, and the inner part of the ear should not be visible when the rabbit is at rest.

Body: The body should be round and compact. These are strong little rabbits, and should look it. Their coat should be dense and not too long or too short.

Faults: The Mini Lop should be well furred, bare pads of the feet are considered a fault. Ears that are carried poorly or lopsidedly (ironically enough) are also considered a fault. A rabbit that does not have a nicely shaped head and 'crown' (the area between the bunny's ears) is also considered to be faulty.

Additional note: Many people cross breed mini lops to create various versions of the mini lop. For example, a Cashmere Lop can be crossed with a Mini Lop to create a Cashmere Mini Lop. The mini lop have proved to be a wildly popular choice for both breeders and pet keepers alike.