With their long, floppy ears and chubby bodies, Holland Lop bunnies give us a lot to smile about. They’re simply adorable, and even if you don’t own any, just looking at them online will brighten your day.
Sky and Grace, both two-year-old Holland Lop bunnies, cheer people up every day on their social media accounts. Called “Stayathomebun,” their accounts feature photos and videos of them playing, eating, and posing adorably for the camera.
The bunnies’ owner couldn’t resist the charm of Holland Lops, either. It’s hard not to love such a tiny, fluffy creature that hops around and munches on carrots all day.
“I fell in love with bunnies because they’re just so cute. Motor noses, fluffy paws, beautiful eyes, and all their adorable little mannerisms,” the owner says about why she loves bunnies.
She didn’t always own bunnies, but after caring for a few, she was hooked.
“A few years ago, I volunteered at a rabbit rescue and helped take care of an entire house full of bunnies. After a few months of volunteering, I decided I wanted to take care of some bunnies of my own.”
Bunnies have a pretty easy life, filled with eating, sleeping, hopping, and being pet by their owners. Bunnies don’t know how good they have it.
Their owner says this:
“I once heard that a bunny’s life goes something like, nap until you’re hungry, then eat until you’re sleepy, and repeat. Sky and Grace love eating, napping, chinning and binking. They get so excited when they know they’re going to eat some fresh greens and treats. Bananas are their most favorite treat of all.”
Their owner even taught them how to ring a bell! Each time they touch it with their paw, she gives them a well-deserved treat. When the hop bunnies aren’t eating or sleeping, the owner takes them out for some adventures.
“Once, we took Sky to Times Square in New York City to see Samsung use his photo on a billboard. I also have the quiet moments when they just come to me and flop sideways next to me. There’s something therapeutic with spending time gently petting a happy bunny.”
A few interesting facts and tips about taking care of Holland lop bunnies
“Rabbits have scent glands on the bottom of their chins, and they rub their chin on something to mark it as theirs,” the bunny mom explained. “So, Grace will chin something. Then Sky will come over, sniff it, and chin over it. Then, Grace will come back and do the same. It’s fun to watch.
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They also move really fast. When they get excited, they zoom around and do this twisty jump called the binky. Sometimes, Sky and Grace will combine zoomies with a series of binkies. It’s just so cute.”
On their Instagram account, the owner posts their antics often so people can see them zooming and hopping around. She also posts tons of videos of them doing their favorite activity: eating. Bunnies need a ton of food, mostly in the form of veggies, fruit, hay, and pellets.
“Bunnies’ teeth never stop growing, so they need a lot of hay to chew on,” the lop bunny owner explains. “The hay is so important because bunnies need a lot of fiber to keep their digestive system on track. And, be careful with your cords because cords are easy to chew on.”
History and basics about the Holland lop rabbit
Holland lop bunnies originally came from the Netherlands, where Dutch breeder Adriana de Cock created them. He wanted to breed a miniature French lop successfully, so he bred French lops with the Netherland Dwarf. However, the ears were still pointy instead of floppy, a signature trait of the lops. So, to create the ears, he strengthened the lop gene by breeding the offspring with English lops.
The Netherlands Governing Rabbit Council accepted this breed formally in 1964. It was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1979.
In the UK, the equivalent of the Holland lop is the Miniature Lop, which the British Rabbit Council recognizes. This breed of rabbit is even smaller than the Dutch version. There’s also a breed called the American Mini lop, a totally different breed than the UK Miniature lop. Now that you’ve gotten a little lesson in rabbit breeds let’s get back to the lops.
Holland lop bunnies are known for their small, compact size and round, stocky frame. Part of what makes them so adorable is their plump body offset by their floppy ears. This combination of physical characteristics, along with the bunny’s friendly, docile temperament, makes it a popular pet. Holland lop bunnies are great with children as well, so they’re wonderful companions to have around.
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They weigh between 2 – 4 pounds and have a lifespan of about 7-10 years. Luckily, Holland lops are pretty low-maintenance pets and don’t have many hereditary health problems. You’ll need to brush their coat about once a week to prevent tangles. They do groom themselves often, but eliminating stray hair with regular brushing lowers the risk of your bunny swallowing hairballs.
Make sure to keep lots of hay, pellets, and fresh fruits/veggies on hand. Also, give your bunny plenty of room to roam freely, both indoors and outdoors.
Sky and Grace’s owner gives a last bit of advice: “Last but not least, they also need a lot of downtime to nap, groom, and feel at peace with the world.”
Final thoughts on meeting this pair of Holland lop bunnies
We hope these beautiful Holland lop bunnies put a smile on your face because they sure did for us! After looking at Sky and Grace’s Instagram, you may even feel tempted to adopt a bunny yourself. If you decide to get one of these adorable companions, make sure to research breeders before buying one.
It’s easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with Holland lop bunnies. They’re chubby, stocky, floppy-eared, and fluffy. So what won’t you love about them?
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