The genetics

Genotype aa B_ C_ D_ E_. The rabbit is self (aa), carries black pigment (B), is dense rather than dilute (D), and extends that pigment fully across the coat (E). It is the simplest colour in the breed to describe and one of the hardest to produce well.

What a good one looks like

Part the fur over the shoulder. A good black is black to the skin. The undercolour should be slate blue, not white or fawn. In direct sunlight it should stay black rather than turning bronze.

What to check for

Rust cast is the recurring problem. A black that reads brown or bronze in sunlight, particularly along the flanks and around the ears, has weak pigment. White hairs scattered through the coat and a pale undercolour are the other two.

Is black actually rare?

Common. Black turns up in a great many pairings and it is one of the first colours most breeders produce. A well-pigmented black with no rust is genuinely uncommon, but a black rabbit is not.

Common questions

Are black Holland Lops rare?

No. Black is one of the most commonly produced colours in the breed and appears in a great many pairings. A black with genuinely dense pigment and no rust cast is uncommon. A black rabbit is not, and nobody should be charging you a rarity premium for one.

Why does my black Holland Lop look brown in the sun?

That is rust cast, and it means the pigment is weak. It is a cosmetic fault rather than a health problem, and the rabbit will be exactly as good a pet. It matters only if you are showing, or if someone charged you extra for the colour.

What it costs

Every Holland Lop here is $300 to $400 regardless of colour. Full pricing here.