The genetics

Genotype aa B_ C_ dd E_. Blue is dilute black. The dilution gene (dd) spreads the pigment granules further apart along the hair shaft, which is why the coat reads slate rather than black. A blue rabbit bred to a blue rabbit will always produce blue.

What a good one looks like

Evenness is everything. The colour should be the same shade over the back, the flanks and the head. The eyes should be blue-grey, and a blue with brown eyes is not correctly bred.

What to check for

Patchiness and a rust or lilac cast in sunlight. Blue is a colour that shows every fault, which is part of why judges like it and part of why it is hard to produce well.

Is blue actually rare?

Common enough. Blue is popular with buyers and not difficult for a breeder to produce, so the two things cancel each other out. It is a lovely colour but it is not a rare one, and a premium on it is a premium on the word.

Common questions

What makes a Holland Lop blue rather than grey?

The dilution gene. Blue is dilute black: the same pigment, spread further apart along each hair shaft, which is why it reads slate rather than black. The eyes should be blue-grey, and a blue with brown eyes has not been bred correctly.

Will two blue Holland Lops always produce blue babies?

Yes. Blue is a recessive at the dilution locus, so a blue bred to a blue can only produce blue, because neither parent carries the dense gene to pass on.

What it costs

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