Choosing between them
Holland Lop vs Mini 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 Mini Lop is roughly double a Holland Lop and slightly calmer. Both suit families equally well.
Side by side
| Holland Lop | Mini Lop | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2–4 lb | 4.5–6 lb |
| Ears | Lopped | Lopped |
| Temperament | calm, friendly, very handleable | sociable and playful |
| Handling | Tolerant | Tolerant |
| Space needed | 4 ft by 2 ft minimum | 4 ft by 2 ft minimum |
| Lifespan | 7 to 14 years | 7 to 12 years |
| Price here | $250 / $280 | $200 |
Which should you get?
Choose the Holland Lop if you want the smaller rabbit, you have less floor space, or you like a busier animal. Choose the Mini Lop if you want something with more substance to pick up and a slightly calmer temperament. Neither is better with children; both handle well.
Ours are the only Mini Lops most American buyers will see in imported German colours, which is a reason to look at them even if you came here for a Holland Lop. The colours.
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 Mini 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.