The genetics

Genotype A_ B_ C_ D_ ee with the wideband gene. Technically orange sits in the agouti group rather than being a true self, because it retains the white belly, but it is almost always listed and sold as a self.

What a good one looks like

Depth and saturation. A good orange is genuinely orange, not fawn and not tan. The belly should be white or near white, and the ear lacing should be present but not heavy.

What to check for

Smut, meaning dark or grey shading over the ears, nose and flanks. Smut is the single most common fault in orange and it gets worse with age in some lines.

Is orange actually rare?

Common, and popular. Orange is one of the most frequently produced colours in the breed and one of the most requested, largely because it photographs so well. A clean orange with no smut is a different matter.

Common questions

What is smut on an orange Holland Lop?

Dark or grey shading over the ears, nose and flanks. It is the single most common fault in orange, it gets worse with age in some lines, and it is worth checking for in daylight before you buy.

Are orange Holland Lops rare?

No. Orange is one of the most frequently produced colours in the breed and one of the most requested, largely because it photographs so well. Popularity is what drives the price at most rabbitries, not scarcity.

What it costs

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