Holland Lop rabbits are closely related to the Netherlands Dwarf having been crossed with these and the French Lop originally. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘Netherlands Dwarf Lop’ although this is not a name (or breed) recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).

Holland Lops range in size from around 2 3/4 to 4 pounds so are by far the littlest lop on the block. They are bred to look much stockier than they actually are and many people are surprised to feel just how light they are when they pick one up.

How To Spot Holland Lop

These Lops are a very unique looking breed and easy to spot. Of course they have the cute-as-a-bug floppy lop ears (which should be short and wide) but their most distinctive features are the prominent crown on their head (the part between their ears) and small compact body. Their body should be twice as large as their head, compared to a commercial body type where the body is three times as large as the head.

They fall into ‘normal fur type’ and ‘compact body shape’ categories. They are officially recognized in over 20 colors but you’re most likely to see them in White, Black (either broken or solid) and tortoise shell.

Personality

When it comes to personality, Holland Lops shine! While every bunny is an individual these lops are generally friendly, calm and very inquisitive. They are the extroverts of the bunny world and like to be the centre of attention.

Many bunny owners swear that their Holland Lop loves to snuggle and play more than most buns so it’s easy to see why they have become so popular.

Holland Lop rabbits are a great choice for family pets. Their personality and size makes them easy to handle, and their unbearably cute looks make them hard to resist. A great choice!

Abbey Mitchell and is a long-time animal lover and rabbit enthusiast. Visit her site RabbitsForPets.com for a complimentary copy of her Pet Rabbit Secrets mini course. You’ll learn rabbit secrets that you won’t find anywhere else on the web!

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Characteristics

The coat of a Scottish Fold Cat is medium in length, soft and dense with hair that stands away from the body requiring very little grooming. These cats come in most colors and patterns.

All Scottish Fold kittens are born with straight, unfolded ears that do not begin to crease until about 21 days. Most have just one crease, but due to selective breeding some cats have a double or even triple crease that causes the ear to lie totally flat against the head.

The Scottish Fold body type is medium sized with the males weighing in at 9-13 lbs, and the females weigh between 6-9 lbs. These cats have round contours; their bodies appear round and padded with short muscular legs, their heads are domed at the top, eyes are very round, wide set and large, and their noses are short and rounded.

Temperament

Scottish Fold Cats have a sweet nature and gentle temperament. They are sociable and good with children, but also quiet and self-contained. Due to their reputation as loving companions, they are highly sought after as pets and are somewhat pricey compared to other popular cat breeds.

Brief History

The original Scottish Fold cat was a white, long-haired female cat found in a barn on a farm in Perthshire, Scotland in 1961. She had two kittens born with folded ears, one was adopted by a neighboring farmer and cat-fancier named William Ross. Mr. Ross, working with geneticist Pat Turner, started the Scottish Fold breed of cats. In three years they produced 76 kittens, 42 with creased ears and 34 with straight ears.

It is important to note that Scottish Folds cannot be bred to other Scottish Folds due to the danger of an inherited crippling bone problem. However the gene that causes creased ears is dominant, so Folds can be bred with straight-eared cats.

Due to the fear of ear problems such as infection, mites and deafness, Scottish Folds were not accepted for showing in Great Britain and Europe. Eventually this breed was exported to America where it was established by cross breeding with British and American Shorthairs. And, other than a problem with wax build-up in the ear, the initial concerns of ear mites and infections have proven unfounded.

Care and grooming of Scottish Fold cats ought to be kept up as any other housecat; good nutrition, regular play and veterinary visits. For more information of your favorite furry pets visit: lovefatcats.com

http://www.lovefatcats.com

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