Self group
Chocolate Holland Lop
A rich, even brown from nose to tail. The eyes carry a ruby cast that glows red in low light or when a torch is shone across them.
A chocolate Holland Lop sits in the self group. A rich, even brown from nose to tail. The eyes carry a ruby cast that glows red in low light or when a torch is shone across them.
Genuinely uncommon, and one of the colours people search for by name. If this is what you want, expect to wait for one rather than expecting to find one today.
The genetics
Genotype aa bb C_ D_ E_. Chocolate is a recessive at the B locus, so both parents must carry it. A rabbit can look black and still carry chocolate hidden, which is why chocolate surprises breeders who were not expecting it.
What a good one looks like
The ruby eye is the tell and it is the fastest way to confirm you are looking at a genuine chocolate rather than a poorly pigmented black. Shine a light across the eye at an angle and it will flash red.
What to check for
Fading, particularly along the back, where the coat can go rusty or washed out in strong sun. A chocolate that photographs beautifully indoors and looks dull outdoors is a chocolate with a pigment problem.
Is chocolate actually rare?
Uncommon, and people search for it by name. Because it is recessive, both parents have to carry it, and plenty of rabbitries simply do not have the gene in their line. If you want a chocolate you will be waiting for one.
Common questions
How do I know a Holland Lop is really chocolate?
The eyes. Shine a light across them at an angle and a genuine chocolate flashes ruby red. A poorly pigmented black can look brownish in some light, but it will not have the ruby eye.
Why are chocolate Holland Lops hard to find?
Because chocolate is recessive, both parents have to carry it, and plenty of rabbitries simply do not have the gene in their line at all. If you want a chocolate, expect to wait rather than expecting to find one today.
What it costs
Every Holland Lop here is $300 to $400 regardless of colour. Full pricing here.
Chocolate Holland Lops available now
If nothing appears here, we do not have this colour at the moment. Say so and we will tell you honestly whether one is coming.
No bunnies are ready to go this week. We only list them once they are, so check back rather than joining a waitlist.