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Forum BEHAVIOR Holland Lops, are they all THIS sassy?

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    • Noel_dee
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        Basically, I was wondering if anyone else has Holland Lops that are not very personable as indoor bunnies? Is it the breed or my bad luck in females? Should I just avoid this breed in the future? 

        To make a long story short, I have a 6 year old some sort of domestic/dwarf/mixed male. He is my whole world and the most well mannered personable bunny I could ever hope to have, he’s all around perfect and has 24/7 roam of my one bedroom apartment. He’s personable and loves to be pet, trusts me to pick him up, etc. When he was 3 I adopted a Holland Lop female baby, they bonded and loved each other, she just never loved me. Hated being touched/pet/looked at for that matter. Never aggressive but just never liked people, would rather put her face to the wall than look at me. Squealed in terror if I ever picked her up(only when absolutely needed), ripped treats out of my hand and ran away for dear life. I did everything right (to my knowledge) had her fixed, spent time with her, never cornered her. The most interaction we had would be she would chin my nail a couple times then run away from me. Unfortunately she passed away at the age of 3 a few months ago. I adopted another Holland Lop baby a little over a month ago, she is 3 months old now and I am terrified to be seeing some similarities in her personality. Shell walk away if I approach her. She won’t stand to be pet more than a stroke or 2 and will literally nudge your hand away from her head if you try petting her. (She gets locked in a pen for potty/safety reasons when I’m not home and will get roam of the living room & porch supervised) She’s not afraid of me just doesn’t like to be touched JUST like my other girl. Is this the breed? Anyone else have a female Holland Lop thats lovable? Is it possibly something I’m doing wrong since 2 girls of mine are doing the same thing? 


      • maddie24
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          I have a female Holland Lop and used to have a boy Holland Lop as well (though he sadly passed away). The boy seemed more adventurous and personable from the beginning and the female was much more tentative and sassy. She’s two now and is still sassy but she’s grown to trust me and lets me pet her and absolutely melts when I stroke and massage her. She’s a bit more like a cat in a way, i think, in that she chooses when she wants attention and when she wants to be left alone. I’d google and go on youtube to find tips on getting a shy/timid bunny to trust you and that might make her more personable with you! Good luck!


        • sarahthegemini
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            AAre Holland lops the same as mini lops in the UK? I have two mini lops and they are very affectionate – my doe more so. Don’t get me wrong, she has an attitude and can be a bit of a diva but she loves human attention and loves being pet


          • Noel_dee
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              I’m starting to think in the future I’ll stick with the mini lop breed or just another random mixed rescue. Is there a big difference between the mini lop and holland lop? I’ve seen so many cute things on mini lops, never any attitude problems. It’s just a little disheartening when I have this lovable old man then a sassy “don’t touch me” attitude female twice.


            • ThorBunny
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                I have a mini-lop (? she is ~5lbs…) who is a love-bug She doesn’t tolerate being picked up, but otherwise she loves her humans and will be very snuggly. She also has a huge attitude and is full of sass! I think she sees us as her servants, haha.

                I would say that you should give your young lop some time though! She is only 3 months, so it is possible she will come out of her shell over time and become more cuddly. All rabbits are so different and I’m not sure if it really depends on the breed.


              • Noel_dee
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                  Thank you everyone! I’m still hoping she will come around but she is shockingly similar to her late sister. I’ve heard that the breed does not have much to do with personality but I can’t help but to get down about all these mini lop/ other breeds being so friendly and lovable!


                • Boston's Mama
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                    There are also some traits that are pretty much a five in for all rabbits – one is not likely being picked up is def one of those. I’ve had a few bunnies – and only one liked ( likes – he’s one of my current ones) to be picked up. It’s rare and not the norm. They are rabbits not teddy bears – rabbits are prey animals so it is not natural to enjoy something plucking you from the ground from above … its bred into them that that is predatory and to beware

                    They also are not naturally playful like puppies – you have to earn their trust

                    I think you are comparing her to your first one too much and that is setting you both up for difficulties – especially if your first one liked picked up etc as that is rare as I said


                  • Starla
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                      I don’t have a lop rabbit but my female is all sass. I think she is a mix in breeds but she is 9 pounds and black w/ blond streaks mainly on her back (near her neck) and some scattered throughout her body. She is just full of sass, she makes sure you know when she’s not happy is so demanding and gets so jealous of her future bond (hopefully). She’s made it very difficult to bond with my boy, the boy is very sweet (although I can’t say it’s because he’s a boy, he is a foster and came from a rough situation, he is a 3 pound jersey wooly). Although let me add, my boy only goes near you if he gets scared (to hide), when I take him outside my room he will dig his head in my arm, I choose not to take him outside my room because of this, I don’t want to terrify him. He rarely wants pets, the grooming he needs can be difficult sometimes lol but his attitude is way sweeter than my girls. My girl is spayed but she has the attitude. If you give her time without trying to hang with her she may come around, I let my female roam around and after quite a bit of time she sometimes jumps on the bed for some rubs. Sometimes I feel like she is so sassy because she grew up in a spoiled home (I’ve gotten her many different toys and treats (in small proportions) but then again, other rabbit owners do the same and don’t get the sass back. I’ve found when I really when groom her or what not, if I take outside my room, she will be less sassy. I love my girl more than life but her attitude is sometimes to similar to mine lol, hope i help in any way. I know sassy rabbits can sometimes seem stressful.


                    • vanessa
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                        I’d give her some time. It’s not a lop thing – but an individual bunny thing. I have 2 bunnies who have never taken to me in 3 or 4 years. And two other bunnies who both love me. My lop has always been incredibly cuddly with me. It’s an individual thing. Keep trying and be patient.


                      • Muchelle
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                          On our last health disadventure, I had the pleasure to meet a beautiful holland lop, Flo. She was the bun-ification of sassy! Grunted at her owners, turned her back, tried to nip and all of that. But she was so cute and regal while ruling over her human slaves


                        • Noel_dee
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                            It’s been a few weeks now and she is still as sassy as ever. She won’t even let me brush her to get some of that extra baby fluff off of her. She’s seeing the vet for the first time soon and I’m quite nervous since I have to pick her up, she definitely does NOT enjoy being picked up. What I’m getting is that it is possible that some females are just born extra sassy. Grunts galore from this little one.

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                        Forum BEHAVIOR Holland Lops, are they all THIS sassy?