Lop rabbits have ears that hang down instead of pointing up.
There are at least 19 breeds of lop rabbits, although not all of them may be recognized and available where you live. In the US, the UK, and other English-speaking countries, the most popular lop rabbits are the French Lop and the Holland Lop.
Both breeds have adorable floppy ears, but, in some ways, they are very different.
You can’t really go wrong with either a French Lop or a Holland Lop rabbit, but there are some important differences in how you take care of them.
We’ll start this article with a recap of the differences, and then we will take a look at the two breeds in detail.
Essential Differences Between French Lops and Holland Lops
Let’s go through some essential differences that you will find between French Lop and Holland Lop rabbits that can help you decide which one is right for you.
Size of the Bunny
French Lops are very large rabbits. As adults, they commonly weigh between 10 and 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kilograms), and they can weigh more.
They have a stout, heavyset body with a big head, and their ears are 5 to 8 inches (13 to 20 cm) long.
A Holland Lop will weigh just 2 to 4 pounds (900 to 1800 grams) when it is adult, and it may be just 10 inches (25 cm) long when it is fully stretched out.
They have boxy, squat little bodies with large heads, and ears that grow 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) long.
Colors
French Lops come in black, blue, chinchilla, opal, fawn, Siamese, agouti, and steel.
Holland Lops come in broken patterns or solid colors of chinchilla, tortoise, fawn, orange, cream, sable, seal, smoke pearl, and chestnut.
Lopped Ears
Both breeds have floppy ears that hang down, but French Lops’ ears tend to be longer, usually measuring between 5 and 8 inches long.
Holland Lops, being smaller, have comparatively shorter ears.
Longevity
Among lop rabbits, the smaller the rabbit, the longer it lives.
The larger French Lops usually live 5 to 7 years with good care. Holland Lops usually live to be between 7 and 12.
Exercise Needs
Bigger rabbits need more exercise.
French Lops require at least three hours of exercise per day. Providing a large, safe space for them to hop around, play, and explore is essential. You can add toys, tunnels, and other enrichments to make the exercise session more enjoyable for your French Lop.
On the other hand, Holland Lops are smaller in size, weighing around 3-4 pounds.
These little ones need at least two hours of daily exercise. Although they require less space compared to French Lops, it is still important to ensure they have a good-sized area to move around in and play.
Grooming
French Lops are larger rabbits, weighing between 10 to 15 pounds. They require less frequent grooming than their smaller counterparts, the Holland Lops.
You only need to brush your French Lop once a week with a bristled brush. Be gentle, yet thorough, to keep their coat tidy and matt-free.
During shedding season, which happens twice a year, increase brushing to two or three times a week. It’s vital to avoid giving your rabbit baths as it can cause stress and harm to their sensitive skin.
Holland Lops are smaller in size, with an average adult height of 2 to 3 inches.
Due to their compact size, you should be cautious when using a brush on their delicate skin.
As a good practice, grooming your Holland Lop once a week should be sufficient. However, during shedding seasons, you might need to increase the frequency of grooming.
As is the case with all other rabbits, you should never give your lop rabbit a bath.
Both breeds require regular nail trimming to maintain their health and comfort.
Check your rabbit’s nails every few weeks and use a small pair of nail clippers specifically designed for small animals.
Trim your rabbit’s nails gently, being careful not to cut into the pink part (also known as the “quick”), which contains blood vessels and can cause pain and bleeding if cut.
If you’re unsure about how to trim your rabbit’s nails, consult with a veterinarian or experienced rabbit caregiver for guidance.
Temperament
Both French Lops and Holland Lops are family-friendly.
French Lops are large enough that they are not easily intimidated by other pets, but Holland Lops may be frightened by dogs and cats.
Intelligence
You won’t have major problems teaching either a French Lop or a Holland Lop how to use a litter box.
Both the French Lop and Holland Lop are intelligent rabbits, which means that they can be trained to some degree.
Teaching them to come when called and litter box training is possible with patience and consistency. Y
ou can also train them to perform simple tricks, like jumping over obstacles, thus making their exercise and playtime more fun and engaging.
Health Issues
Both French Lops and Holland Lops are prone to getting mites and ticks in their ears. You need to take a close look at their ears at least once a week.
Both French Lops and Holland Lops need air conditioning when temperatures exceed 85° F (29° C).
That’s because rabbits cool off by shunting blood flow to their ears, and lop rabbits do not lose as much heat because their ears are close to their bodies.
Wool block can occur in rabbits with long fur, which can lead to digestive problems. Since French Lops have a thicker coat, they may be more prone to experiencing wool block. It is important to groom your rabbit regularly to remove loose fur and reduce the chances of wool block.
Also read: Are French Lop Rabbits Good Pets?
What You Need to Know About French Lop Rabbits
French Lops are giant rabbits. Twice the size as most other rabbits, they will be the center of attention at any rabbit show, their personalities filling the room.
As pets, French Lops are famous for following their people around. They aren’t fragile, so they make great pets for preschool-age children.
And best for households with multiple pets, French Lops are calm and relaxed around many breeds of dogs (but not hunting dogs!) and cats.
Now, let’s consider care requirements.
Housing Your French Lop Rabbit
French Lops need some outdoor time every day.
They can hop around in a fenced backyard, preferably with some supervision, to make sure they do not encounter neighborhood dogs and cats or wild animals. Pets of other species (that is, dogs and cats) can pass parasites and infections to rabbits through feces and urine, and any close encounter with a cottontail or a wild hare is likely to pass on a viral infection called rabbit hemorrhagic disease.
French Lops need a relatively large cage or hutch when they are not enjoying their playtime outdoors.
Your French Lop will need a cage, hutch, or kennel with floor space roughly equivalent to four times the space it takes up when sitting down.
That’s a minimum of 24 inches by 36 inches (60 cm by 90 cm) of floor space, although more would be better.
French Lops also need about 14 inches (35 cm) clearance for their heads. They don’t get that tall, but they need to be able to stretch.
Behavioral Issues with French Lop Rabbits
The joy of owning a French Lop rabbit is that it will want your company all the time. The downside of owning a French Lop rabbit is that it will want your company all the time.
French Lops that don’t have companions redirect their social drive into chewing. They will gnaw on baseboards, chair legs, table legs, rattan baskets, and if you don’t take precautions, electrical cords and cables.
The solution to this problem, if you can’t spend four or more hours a day with your French lop rabbit, is to get your French Lop, a companion rabbit.
Sometimes, an adult French Lop will bond with a cat about the same size but do not count on this connection occurs.
Remember, twice as many rabbits need twice as much food and twice as much cage space.
Don’t attempt to keep a French Lop with a rabbit of a smaller breed unless you are very experienced with rabbits or the animals have been spayed or neutered.
Availability
You can find French Lop rabbits through the French Lop Breeders Association’s French Lop Rabbits Near Me page or the Rabbit Breeders Directory.
From time to time, French lop rabbits are available through Adopt-a-Pet and Pet Finder websites.
Is a French Lop rabbit right for me?
French Lop rabbits make great pets for people who have predator-proof, enclosed backyards.
They are a better choice for owners who have experience with rabbits, not first-time rabbit owners.
Also read: 10 Most Affectionate Rabbit Breeds
What You Need to Know About Holland Lop Rabbits
Holland Lops are cute and cuddly. They are too small to resist being picked up. This makes them a favorite of elementary school-aged children everywhere.
You can sometimes find Holland Lop rabbits advertised as “teacup sized.” At one stage of their development, Holland Lops can actually fit in a small teacup.
Resist the impulse to take a teacup-sized Holland Lop home to your kids. Rabbits of this size still need protection and nourishment from their mothers.
Taking a teacup-sized Holland Lop home usually results in a sad event a few days later. But if you wait until your Holland Lop rabbit is about three months old before you take it home, it can make a wonderful pet.
Many Holland Lop owners discover that these pet rabbits are calm and sociable enough to sit in their laps and watch TV. Very few breeds of rabbits are this friendly.
Housing Your Holland Lop Rabbit
It is not hard to find a specially designed indoor-outdoor cage for small rabbits like Holland Lops. If you have about 50 to 100 square feet of floor space inside your home for its play area, you won’t need any backyard space for your Holland Lop at all!
Holland Lops can be happy as apartment rabbits, but they will need some simple toys. A hiding house and a rabbit tunnel to run through make a great addition to the playscape.
But even something as simple as the cardboard roller inside a roll of paper towels can keep your Holland Lop amused for hours on end.
Each Holland Lop needs floor space of 24 inches by 24 inches (60 cm by 60 cm). The cage needs about 12 inches (30 cm) of overhead clearance so your Holland Lop can hop around and stretch.
Make sure your Holland Lop’s cage or hutch has a solid floor. It can easily break its toes when it is hopping up and down on metal wire.
Also read: Holland Lop vs Mini Lop – What’s the Difference?
Behavioral Issues with Holland Lop Issues
Holland Lops can be uniquely affectionate with their humans. They are so small, however, that they may never be comfortable around larger, carnivorous pets.
Let your Holland Lop be the center of attention when you are interacting with it. Do not force it to share the spotlight with your dog or cat.
Do not keep Holland Lops and other pets in the same room. Even the scent of a carnivorous pet may make your Holland Lop very upset.
Fearful Holland Lops flee danger. This is the time they are most likely to be stepped or sat on, causing serious injury to their delicate bones.
Availability of Holland Lop Rabbits
There are enough breeders of Holland Lops that you can easily find a Holland Lop breeder near you by Googling. USA Rabbit Breeders will also have some suggestions.
Is a Holland Lop rabbit right for me?
Holland Lops are not a good pet for families with small children, because they are easily injured. But they are a great choice for families that have children who are old enough to handle them with care.
You probably should not get a Holland Lop if you have an especially noisy home. Holland Lops let you know their location by vocalizing. Being able to hear them keeps them from getting stepped on or lost.
Never taken care of a rabbit before?
We recommend the Holland Lop. It is an easily manageable pet that doesn’t need a lot of space. It will be happy if you can just provide it company.
French Lops are best for families that have lots of space for their bunnies to hop around. French Lops don’t do well when they are cooped up indoors.
But both kinds of Lops can make wonderful pets! Choose the rabbit that is the right size for your home.
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