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The Holland Lop
"The Hallmark Breed"

THE HOLLAND LOP

The Holland Lop is the smallest of the Lop breeds, at less than four
pounds. Traits that make Holland's instantly popular are their
friendliness and gentle disposition. The Holland Lop was accepted in
1979 by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), yet it has
enjoyed great success in a very short period of time.

The "Dwarf Lop", as it is known is Europe, was developed by Adrian
DeCock of Titborg in the Netherlands. His first mating was a
Netherland Dwarf buck to a French Lop doe. Offspring from this mating
were later bred to English Lops, which helped bring the ear carriage
down. The broken pattern was introduced by breeding English Spots
and Angoras. The first American convention in which Holland Lops were
shown was held in Milwaukee in 1979. There were a total of 27 rabbits
shown. Today, national shows attract more than 600 Hollands.

Holland Lop Show Guide

Here's a list of items that come in very handy when you go to a show.
It's always nice to be prepared for anything that may happen!
Nail Clippers- in case a rabbit needs trimming or if they broke a toenail

Regular Scissors- you never know when you may need to cut
something

Antibiotic ointment- in case you injure yourself or your rabbit

Band-aids- also for the same reason

Hydrogen peroxide- great for cleaning wounds or to clean a white
rabbit

Gauze- to apply the hydrogen peroxide with

Spray bottle with water- spray on your hands, then rub the rabbit's
coat. it will remove excess dust and hair from the coat

Slicker brush- removes any loose hair from your rabbit's coat

Antibacterial gel- comes in handy to save you from spreading germs to
your rabbits

Sharpe- great for writing signs or putting coop numbers in your rabbit's
ears

Business cards- helps you become known to other breeders and also
helps them to remember your contact numbers

Paper towels- in case you need to clean up a spill

Umbrella- Eastern Texas has unpredictable weather... don't get caught!

Show table with carpet- for grooming your animal & showing them to
potential buyers

Directions to the show- you don't want to get lost

Handcart or dolly- excellent for hauling your cages and items across
the barn

Extra clothes- you never know when you may need them

Bungee cords- help to keep your animals in position during the trip

Rabbit food & water- helps keep your rabbits healthy

Water & feeding crocks- you need something to keep the food & water
in!

Feeding

You should feed your Holland as much fresh rabbit pellets as it wants
until it reaches about 3 months old. After that, the standard rule is 1
ounce of feed per pound of the Holland. Most Holland’s do well on a ½-
measured cup of rabbit pellets per day. That should keep them at a
happy and healthy maintained weight. Of course, an extra busy or
nursing Holland will require more food. If you let your Holland get too
fat, it can cause serious health problems and even death. Holland’s
require low protein, high fiber. You should feed your Holland rabbit
pellets that are between 15 and 16 percent protein, and at least 20 or
21 percent fiber. You should make sure the rabbit pellets you feed are
hard, green, and dust free. Make sure if the rabbit pellets you are
currently feeding does not look the same as it usually does, or it is
dusty, that you inform your feed dealer of the change. They can notify
the feed mill. If you Holland ever refuses to eat a feed--remove all
feed and have the feed checked. If you get a new Holland, make sure
you get "change-over feed" from the previous owner, so that you may
change the Holland over to your brand of feed slowly. Any changes in
feed should be done over about a week's time. This also applies if you
are changing the brand of feed you are currently feeding, to something
different. Any uneaten pellets should be thrown out and replaced with
fresh pellets everyday.
It is also highly recommended that you feed your Holland as much
fresh coastal hay as it wants to eat everyday. If not everyday, at least
3 times a week. Remember that Holland’s require high fiber, and
coastal hay has lots of fiber. Make sure the coastal hay you feed is
fresh, mold free, dust free, and preferably green.
As a treat, you can give your Holland Cheerios and Shredded Wheat
(unfrosted) cereals. They are a very tasty and high fiber snack.
If you feel your Holland needs extra conditioning, ask a Holland
breeder if they could recommend something for you.
And of course, make sure you Holland has as much fresh, clean water
as it wants at all times.
Do not…. Feed your Holland lettuce. It can be very deadly. This also
includes grass. It is recommended that you do not feed your Holland
any vegetables until it reaches at least 6 months of age.
Some safe things to feed your Holland when it becomes of age are:
raisins, carrots, apples, oranges, spinach, collard greens (most dark
leafy greens) and sweet potatoes. If you decide to feed any of the
above foods, check with a Holland breeder on suggestions and
amounts.

Grooming

Holland’s do not always require brushing, but they do like it and it is
very healthy for their skin and hair. Rabbits molt usually twice a year
with the change of seasons. They are getting rid of their old coat and
putting on a new one. If your Holland is molting, you will need to brush
it to help remove the hair before they ingest it. If you don’t, your
Holland can develop a deadly fur ball from licking the fur out
themselves. When brushing, check for furmites. If your rabbit has
furmites, you will see what looks like dandruff (usually behind the
head). To treat for furmites, we recommend that you give Ivomec
orally. Check with an established breeder for dosage.

You will need to clip their toenails about every other month.

It is recommended that you do not give your Holland a bath.

You should also check your rabbit's ears for earmites and wax buildup.
If you notice any earmites, you should purchase some earmite
medicine drops to put in them. If wax buildup is all that you see, you
can clean the ear out with a q-tip and some mineral oil.

Housing

A Holland does well in a 18"x 24", or a 24" x 24" cage. If your Holland
is housed outdoors, make sure it has a leak-proof roof on it, and it has
at least one solid side on it. (preferably two). If you are thinking of
breeding your Holland, check with another Holland breeder, on specific
types of cages and equipment you will need for the doe and her young.

Rabbits have a fur coat so cold is not a concern. In case of extreme
cold weather, a nest box, a board or a thick pile of hay may be added
for your Holland to sit in or on.

Heat can be very deadly for a Holland, so make sure the cage is in a
shady spot with good airflow. Also make sure that the sun never hits
inside the cage in the afternoon. When it is really hot in the summer,
you can give your Holland something to lie against (or on) to stay cool.
You can give a frozen 2-liter bottle of water or a wet towel or wet
stepping-stone. You can also install a mister system very easily on the
roof of your barn or cages, which will keep your Hollands more
comfortable during those very hot Texas summer months.