Choosing between them
Holland Lop vs French Lop
We breed both, so this is not an argument for one over the other. It is what actually differs and which household each suits.
The short answer: a French Lop is three to five times the size of a Holland Lop. If you have the floor space it is the better lap rabbit; if you do not, it is not a choice at all.
Side by side
| Holland Lop | French Lop | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2–4 lb | 10–15 lb |
| Ears | Lopped | Lopped |
| Temperament | calm, friendly, very handleable | placid, docile, a large lap rabbit |
| Handling | Tolerant | Very tolerant, needs two hands |
| Space needed | 4 ft by 2 ft minimum | 6 ft by 3 ft minimum |
| Lifespan | 7 to 14 years | 5 to 8 years |
| Price here | $250 / $280 | $350 |
Which should you get?
This one is decided by your floor, not your preference. A French Lop at ten to fifteen pounds needs a pen twice the size, eats considerably more hay, and costs more at the vet because everything is dosed by weight. In return it is the calmest rabbit we breed and by far the best lap rabbit.
A Holland Lop does everything a first-time owner needs at a quarter of the size. If you are in a flat, it is not a close call.
What is the same
Both are indoor rabbits. Both need unlimited hay, a pen far larger than a pet shop cage, daily time out of it, and a vet who treats rabbits regularly. Both should be neutered, and for a doe that is not optional given the uterine cancer risk. Both live long enough that the decision deserves thought: this is a commitment measured in years, not months.
Colour changes nothing about temperament in either breed, whatever a listing implies.
See both
Holland Lops available now and French Lops available now. Prices, photographs and what each rabbit is like are on the listings.
Still not sure?
Describe your household to Arlen, floor space and children and other pets included, and you will get an honest steer rather than whichever breed we have most of.