French Lop vs Holland Lop: A Complete Comparison Guide

If you are looking for a good rabbit breed to have as a pet or on your backyard farm and you are wondering about a French lop vs Holland lop you have chosen two really great breeds.

These are two popular breeds of rabbits, each with its own distinct characteristics and appeal. While they share similarities in body conformation, they differ quite a bit in size, diet, and suitability as pets.

In this comparison guide, I’m going to walk you through the key differences and similarities between French Lops and Holland Lops, helping you make an informed decision when choosing the right lop breed of rabbit for your pet or backyard farm.

Key Points Summary:

• Size difference between French Lops and Holland Lops
• Similarities in body conformation
• Dietary needs: the amount of food and water each breed consumes
• Suitability of each breed as pets

Size Difference

This is the main difference between the two. While both breeds have good temperaments for the most part rabbits are not supper easy to puck up and move around. Which is why it takes a bit more skill to handle larger rabbits.

French Lops: Majestic Giants

French Lop rabbit breed is one of the largest domestic rabbit breeds, known for their impressive size and gentle demeanor. On average, French Lops weigh between 11 to 15 pounds, with some weighing even more. — However, I always encourage you to weigh the animal yourself or take the weight with a grain of salt. With large breed of pet rabbits people like to over-exaggerate just a bit and “eyeball it” rather than putting the rabbit on a scale.

With all that said the American Rabbit Breeders Association has the breed standard for french lops set at 11 pounds for bucks (male rabbits) and 11.5 pounds for does (female rabbits) with no maximum weight which is why you will see such a wide range.

French lops are about 30 inches long from nose to do when laying out.

Their large, sturdy bodies and distinctive drooping ears give them a regal appearance that gets attention.

Holland Lops: Small Rabbit, Big Personality

In contrast, Holland Lops are the smallest of the lop-eared rabbit breeds. They typically weigh between 2 to 4 pounds, making them compact and easy to handle.

Despite their small stature, Holland Lops have the same endearing lop ears and big bold faces as their larger counterparts.

However, they can have big personalities and the ones I’ve personally had experience with are not always as laid back as the french lop.

Similarities in Body Conformation

Both French Lops and Holland Lops share the following characteristics:

• Lop ears that droop downward, framing their faces.
• Big bold crowns.
• Both breeds have compact, muscular bodies with short.
• Thick fur but it is easily maintained.

For people who come to me wanting a french lop but then realize how big a french lop is and thinks that size is not quite right for them I will recommend they look for a Holland lop.

Holland lops are basically the mini version of the French lop.

How Much Do They Eat

This might be a “duh” statement but a giant rabbit eats quite a bit more than the smaller breeds. You can feed about 3 hollands for the same amount a French lop will eat.

Feeding French Lops: Appetites to Match Their Size

Due to their larger size, French Lops have substantial appetites and require generous portions of high-quality rabbit pellets. French lops will go through a 50-pound bag of feed every 10 weeks. Or about 4.5 pounds a week. 

This is why I encourage my French lop customers to get a large bag at a feed supply store rather than paying astronomical prices of rabbit pellets from the pet aisle.

I don’t feed my french lops hay which is a surprise to most and annoys others but there are some really important reasons for this. But you can read the full details here.

They also need a LOT of clean, fresh water. The regular-size rabbit water bottles don’t cut it with French lops. So I water my rabbits out of a 3 litter rubber water bowl. It lasts them about two days.

Nourishing Holland Lops: Small but Mighty Eaters

Despite their small size, Holland Lops have equally hearty appetites relative to their body weight. They thrive on a diet consisting of rabbit pellets, hay, and fresh vegetables, with smaller portion sizes compared to their larger counterparts. Adequate hydration is essential for Holland Lops, so be sure to provide them with plenty of fresh water daily.

Suitability as Pets

Both have great characteristics and make great pets but there are just a few main things you should think about before choosing one as a pet. 

French Lops: Gentle Giants for All

French Lops are renowned for their gentle and laid-back temperament, making them excellent companions for families with children and individuals seeking a calm, affectionate pet.

BUT…. their large size is the biggest concern. They are a lot of rabbit to handle which can make them difficult to handle for people who are not experienced with the breed. They prefer to sit next to you and be petted rather than carried around.

So if you are not as confident of a rabbit handler then maybe starting off smaller would be ideal.

Holland Lops: Petite  With Big Personalities

Holland Lops may be small in stature, but they have big personalities and plenty of energy to spare. They are playful and curious wich makes them entertaining for kids. 

Their compact size makes them ideal for apartment living or homes with limited space or people who simply want to gain experience with rabbits before getting a French lop rabbit.

Lifespan

This is another key factor that you should definitely consider. French Lops typically have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years, while Holland Lops can live 7 to 10 years.

If you don’t like the idea of such a short lifespan then I would definitely recommend not going with a larger breed.

Health Considerations

Like all rabbit breeds, French Lops and Holland Lops are susceptible to certain health issues, including dental problems, obesity, and gastrointestinal issues.

In summary, French Lops and Holland Lops are both charming rabbit breeds with unique characteristics and suitability as pets.

While French Lops impress with their size and gentle temperament, Holland Lops pull you in with their petite stature and playful personality.

By considering factors such as size, temperament, dietary needs, and suitability for your living situation, you can choose the perfect rabbit breed for your life situation.

Did this help? What other questions do you have about these two breeds?