Mini lops vs dutch rabbits? :O

[DutchRabbitsFtw]

 sadly, the rabbit i wanted to adopt got adopted ._. (which probably explains why the rescue organization never emailed me back lol -.-, and this is the second time this has happened! i wanted to adopt another rabbit before, like a month ago, but he got adopted!) 

so anyway, my options are: a mini lop rabbit (he just appeared on petfinder today) or this dutch rabbit (i wanted to adopt this OTHER dutch rabbit but he got adopted recently, but thats okay since there is another dutch rabbit that i am interested in and have visited) 

i really like lops, but i’v heard that they can be very mellow/ calm and not playful? also, i’ve visited lots of rabbits before (mainly dutch rabbits since they are very common in the rescue organzition that i will be adopting from) and i’ve only visited one mini lop rabbit, and he was shedding a LOT. compared to all the other rabbits i’ve visited (dutches and mixes) he was shedding a lot! i know that all rabbits molt 4 times a year but 2 are very mild. but i mean he was shedding a lotttt, and all the other rabbits i’ve visited weren’t shedding at all, or if they were it was VERY mild. was it just that rabbit? or do mini lops in general shed more than the average rabbit? 

also, is it true that the rescue organization might get annoyed at me for emailing them? -.- . or maybe they think im just playing with them? which im NOT, i just really want to make sure i get the right rabbit, but its kind of embarrassing to email them and then end up not getting the rabbit. and i dont want to bother them or anything… /:

also since mini lops are a medium sized breed, would an XL dog crate be okay for them? since they are bigger than dutches would it still be okay? i plan to let my rabbit out whenever i am home and will only put him in his cage when im sleeping or at school. thanks  

[SirThumpsey]

i have a lop and he is pretty mellow but he runs around and binkiies and hasa really good time
my sis just got a dutch and s/he is pretty active but i think s/he is still a youngin but i def depends on the bun

i dont think theyd be annoyed…atleast they shouldnt …..maybe go see em & talk to them, let em know yer serious?

[bunnyfriend]

Really the stereotypes about breeds are not true. The sterotype I have heard about lops is that they are energetic and skittish. It is a case by case scenario. I would suggest you meet the rabbits and pick the one with the personality you like the best. I have a lop and she is constantly running around ALL day, can’t get her to stay in once place. The rabbit that you saw at the shelter that was shedding a lot was probably going through a molt, and the other rabbits weren’t. My lop has never been through a molt yet but all rabbits have different molts. My bunny’s (that passed away) molt was very heavy, it was unbelievable how much he was shedding.

Calling a rescue or going to the rescue is always more effective than emailing. They’ll know your serious if you meet with the rabbits and base your adoption off personality.

I would maybe consider buying an exercise pen also to attach to the XL dog crate since the rabbit is going to be in there while you’re gone. All rabbits need lots of space and exercise.

[BinkyBunny]

 I would definitely just go and see how you connect with both of them.  No need to decide about either one now.  Just go meet adorable bunnies and see what happens then. I have to agree, that after volunteering for years at a rabbit rescue, there are so many personalities that are not tied to the breed.  Many times within a particular “breeder” situation, they may breed for a particular type of characteristic, but in general, and especially with rescues, I have found that I have had to throw generalities out the door— though with one little exception–I have to say, that my experiences have been that smaller tiny bunnies were a bit higher strung. But other than that, I had to throw out what I had learned, heard and assumed about rabbit breeds. 

So, just set up some time and don’t worry about what the rescues perception is about you. Most rescues are soooo busy that their lack of communication is just due to them being incredibly preoccupied, so they may not even have time to build an opinion one way or another.  I think the best way though to let them know you are serious is your persistance.  Also if you just let them know what you are looking for in regards to personality and why, and not focus on looks, they will understand you are genuine and serious.   Some of the best bunnies have come from the suggestions that the rescue managers have made based on what they knew about me.   They know their rabbits and can do a great job in suggesting a rabbit for you based on what you are looking for.  So you may try it that way too!

Good Luck and keep us updated. 

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I don’t know about breeds, I tend to believe that generalizations about bunny breeds have some truth in them from my own, limited experience, but that it can also vary by bunny. How *you* treat them makes the most difference IMO.

An XL cage is a good base, but rabbits need more run space than that, I second bunnyfriends idea of adding an xpen to the cage.

[DutchRabbitsFtw]

Thanks so much, yes i will set up a time to meet the rabbit soon. I’ll call them today and ask about the rabbit (since its been about 2 days, and i dont want to wait too long because the rabbit might get adopted before i even get a chance to meet him, and plus they usually reply the same day you send the email. so i’ll just give them a call and see, thanks)

and yeah i’ll buy an xpen and put it around the cage. thanks guys for all the help and i’ll try not to generalize about breeds anymore (or atleast i’ll try not to)

[LoveChaCha]

I have a dwarf. They have the stereotype of being skiddish, and high energy. My dwarf bunny is the laziest, most demanding, sweet bunny ever. I would spend some time with the bunnies at the shelter to see how they react with you.

[bunnyfriend]

Let us know who you end up picking out  Adopting a new bunny is always exciting!

[RabbitPam]

Definitely set up a time with them to go see the rabbits they have, and ask them to recommend some with the personality traits you are looking for. They will help narrow it down for you, and know you are serious by planning your adoption carefully.

Then don’t decide in advance because it’s like falling in love. I was set on having a male mini rex rabbit again after Spockie died because I loved so much about him. Didn’t see any other bunnies to change my mind on that either. Until I met Samantha. Who was female, feisty, growled (so cute in a baby) and an English Spot mix. Totally not what I had in mind. But she got to me. Been trying to figure her out ever since.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’ve had a holland lop and a dutch. I think both had very typical attitudes for the breed though they were of course their own bunny and certainly breeds for rabbits are more about looks than jobs/tendancies (like they are with dogs or horses for instance)

My holland was very docile and laid back. My dutch was into anything and everything, active and adventerous. I think lops (all lops) tend to be more laid back, but again, tend to. Mini lops are actually the bigger lops-holland lops are often labelled mini lops for whatever reason but they are quite different in appearance.

[DutchRabbitsFtw]

i will meet the rabbit soon this week, and i’ll let you guys know which rabbit i get! thanks!

[Elrohwen]

Let us know how the meeting goes!

In my experience, mini lops are very active and playful. I have one who is hyperactive and she’s almost 5 years old. I’ve met a number working in the shelter and all were fairly high energy and loved to shred paper (for some odd reason, the mini lops were always the paper shredders). I’ve heard that dutch are high energy and very smart, but I’ve never owned one before. Rabbit personalities can vary a ton by individual though (much more than, say, dogs), so meeting them is the best idea.

[KatnipCrzy]

I would recommend contacting the rescue group and filling out an application and getting approved. Rescues usually have pets that are not listed yet- for whatever reason- they just got them in, had to wait to get them spayed/neutered, a litter was not old enough to be listed, etc. By filling out the paperwork and talking to them they can let you know which bunnies are available or soon to be available that sound like a good match of what you are looking for.

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