Why Buy from a Breeder
If you’re searching for a pet rabbit, you have probably looked into pet stores, shelters, and breeders. How do you know which route to take and who to buy from? This article offers several reasons to buy from a breeder and covers some common misconceptions about rabbitries.
Perks to Buying From a Breeder
Sound Genetics - Responsible breeders breed only purebred rabbits. At Hollificent Lops, we raise pedigreed Holland Lops. The genetics of our rabbits are sound, as they have descended from generations of purebred, healthy, gentle rabbits. We know what weight our rabbits will reach as adults and what they will look like. We know that they will develop the friendly, sweet, lovable personality that is characteristic of a Holland. The majority of pet store and shelter/rescue rabbits, however, are mixed breeds, with unknown lineage and unpredictable genetics.
Health and Temperament - Breeders select their rabbits based upon type, health, and temperament. Aggressive or mean rabbits, or rabbits with genetic weaknesses will not be tolerated or bred. While the Holland Lop personality can vary from rabbit to rabbit, we breed strongly for a sweet, friendly, docile temperament in our rabbits. Likewise, we breed for health and longevity. We foster strong immune systems and healthy starts in our kits, which begins with not weaning prematurely. Our rabbits are weaned at 6-7 weeks of age and may not leave our rabbitry until at least 8 weeks of age. Many pet stores sell very young, 4 or 5 week old baby bunnies. Such rabbits have obviously been weaned much too early and are already off to a bad start.
Information Before Adoption - Not only do breeders sell healthy, happy rabbits, but they are also knowledgeable about the rabbits they sell. A breeder can properly determine the sex of a rabbit, which is something that many pet stores cannot accurately do. Breeders can also offer advice and personal recommendations for feeding, housing, and care.
Support Beyond Adoption - Breeders sincerely care for the well-being of their rabbits and will be available to answer questions and share information when you have a concern. Most breeders also love to receive updates and pictures of how their rabbits are doing in their new homes!
Perks to Buying From a Breeder
Sound Genetics - Responsible breeders breed only purebred rabbits. At Hollificent Lops, we raise pedigreed Holland Lops. The genetics of our rabbits are sound, as they have descended from generations of purebred, healthy, gentle rabbits. We know what weight our rabbits will reach as adults and what they will look like. We know that they will develop the friendly, sweet, lovable personality that is characteristic of a Holland. The majority of pet store and shelter/rescue rabbits, however, are mixed breeds, with unknown lineage and unpredictable genetics.
Health and Temperament - Breeders select their rabbits based upon type, health, and temperament. Aggressive or mean rabbits, or rabbits with genetic weaknesses will not be tolerated or bred. While the Holland Lop personality can vary from rabbit to rabbit, we breed strongly for a sweet, friendly, docile temperament in our rabbits. Likewise, we breed for health and longevity. We foster strong immune systems and healthy starts in our kits, which begins with not weaning prematurely. Our rabbits are weaned at 6-7 weeks of age and may not leave our rabbitry until at least 8 weeks of age. Many pet stores sell very young, 4 or 5 week old baby bunnies. Such rabbits have obviously been weaned much too early and are already off to a bad start.
Information Before Adoption - Not only do breeders sell healthy, happy rabbits, but they are also knowledgeable about the rabbits they sell. A breeder can properly determine the sex of a rabbit, which is something that many pet stores cannot accurately do. Breeders can also offer advice and personal recommendations for feeding, housing, and care.
Support Beyond Adoption - Breeders sincerely care for the well-being of their rabbits and will be available to answer questions and share information when you have a concern. Most breeders also love to receive updates and pictures of how their rabbits are doing in their new homes!
Common Misconceptions About Breeders
"If a breeder has a closed rabbitry, they must be hiding something..." Actually, many breeders have closed rabbitries to protect their families and their rabbits. Some wish to keep visitors away from their pregnant does/young babies, and others are cautious about spreading disease. Many people simply do not care to have strangers out to their home. A responsible breeder with a closed rabbitry only cares for the well-being of their rabbits and their family.
"That breeder doesn't have a health guarantee, their rabbits must not be healthy..." A responsible breeder should guarantee a rabbit to be healthy to their knowledge, at the time of sale. However, many breeders do not guarantee the health of the rabbit after the sale or have only a short-term (anywhere from 24 hours to 2 weeks) health guarantee. Let me explain why this is. A rabbit’s health depends largely on environment and treatment. Once someone has bought a rabbit, it becomes their responsibility. The care that a rabbit receives from the new owner is completely out of the breeder's control. So many things can happen to a rabbit that is it just not reasonable to be able to take back every single rabbit that becomes sick or dies.
"That rabbit is overpriced; I'm not going to pay that much for a pet rabbit..." While purebred rabbits don’t cost nearly as much as purebred cats or dogs (and rightly so), that doesn’t mean that you should expect to be able to find a purebred pet rabbit for $5. I would advise you not to let even a $50 price tag turn you away. Holland Lops are one of the most popular show and pet breeds, so you can expect to pay anywhere from $80 - $300 for a good show rabbit and $300+ for top show quality. Hollands are hard to breed, often lose their first litters, and take longer to develop (for showing) than most other breeds. Responsible breeders invest a great deal of time and money into their rabbits, and don't break even with sales, let alone make a profit. Remember, too, that pet quality rabbits are given the same love and care that the higher priced, show quality ones are. A $50 pet bunny from a responsible breeder is likely to thrive, and its chances of requiring extensive vet care are small. A $15 bunny from the pet shop, however, is much more likely to end up with potentially expensive issues down the road.
"If a breeder has a closed rabbitry, they must be hiding something..." Actually, many breeders have closed rabbitries to protect their families and their rabbits. Some wish to keep visitors away from their pregnant does/young babies, and others are cautious about spreading disease. Many people simply do not care to have strangers out to their home. A responsible breeder with a closed rabbitry only cares for the well-being of their rabbits and their family.
"That breeder doesn't have a health guarantee, their rabbits must not be healthy..." A responsible breeder should guarantee a rabbit to be healthy to their knowledge, at the time of sale. However, many breeders do not guarantee the health of the rabbit after the sale or have only a short-term (anywhere from 24 hours to 2 weeks) health guarantee. Let me explain why this is. A rabbit’s health depends largely on environment and treatment. Once someone has bought a rabbit, it becomes their responsibility. The care that a rabbit receives from the new owner is completely out of the breeder's control. So many things can happen to a rabbit that is it just not reasonable to be able to take back every single rabbit that becomes sick or dies.
"That rabbit is overpriced; I'm not going to pay that much for a pet rabbit..." While purebred rabbits don’t cost nearly as much as purebred cats or dogs (and rightly so), that doesn’t mean that you should expect to be able to find a purebred pet rabbit for $5. I would advise you not to let even a $50 price tag turn you away. Holland Lops are one of the most popular show and pet breeds, so you can expect to pay anywhere from $80 - $300 for a good show rabbit and $300+ for top show quality. Hollands are hard to breed, often lose their first litters, and take longer to develop (for showing) than most other breeds. Responsible breeders invest a great deal of time and money into their rabbits, and don't break even with sales, let alone make a profit. Remember, too, that pet quality rabbits are given the same love and care that the higher priced, show quality ones are. A $50 pet bunny from a responsible breeder is likely to thrive, and its chances of requiring extensive vet care are small. A $15 bunny from the pet shop, however, is much more likely to end up with potentially expensive issues down the road.