Introduction

Welcome to TTB Fairytale Rabbitry – Dedicated to breeding type-driven Holland Lops with excellent structure, bone, and balance.

Our show line features a Black VM doe and a Black Otter buck, carefully selected to produce Holland Lops that meet the American Rabbit Breeders Association Standard of Perfection.

We specialize in self colors, broken patterns, and otters, while maintaining a small pet line.

About Our Program

Focused on type first, producing rabbits with massive heads, wide crowns, thick bone, and compact, balanced bodies.
Show line: Black VM doe × Black Otter buck – aimed at advancing structural traits and color consistency.
Pet line: Medium-quality VM Lilac Tort bred occasionally to the Black Otter to create charming “pretty pets” that help sustain our breeding program.
Long-term goal: Maintain a diverse color program (selfs, otters, and broken) without sacrificing type or quality.

Sales Policy

Deposits required to hold rabbits.
Health guarantee applies for X days/weeks.
No guarantees of show wins.
Right to retain rabbits for the breeding program at any time.
Honest assessment of rabbit quality: Show, Brood, or Pet.
- - I am happy to access your rabbits for a fee.

<-- Our goal for colors in our program.

Our Breeding Philosophy

At TTB Fairytale Rabbitry, our primary focus is breeding Holland Lops with correct type and structure. Every pairing is planned with the goal of producing rabbits with strong bone, massive head type, wide crown placement, and a compact, well-balanced body. These traits are essential to the breed and are evaluated carefully as our program develops.

While color variety is enjoyable and part of our long-term goals, type always comes first. Our breeding program currently focuses on self colors, otters, and broken patterns while maintaining the structural qualities expected in well-bred Holland Lops.

We also maintain a very small pet-quality line, bred occasionally to produce friendly companion rabbits that help support the feed and care costs of the rabbitry. However, these rabbits are secondary to our primary goal of improving type and structure within our show line.

When selecting rabbits for our program, we prioritize:

Massive head and strong crown
Thick bone and substance
Short, compact body type
Balanced hindquarters
Proper ear placement

On our website and social media, we aim to share clear, well-posed photographs that highlight head structure, body balance, and ear placement, rather than simply cute poses. This allows fellow breeders and buyers to accurately evaluate the qualities that truly matter in the breed.

Why Type Matters in Holland Lops

Holland Lops are judged primarily on type and structure, not color. While beautiful colors and markings can be appealing, they should never come at the expense of correct body structure. A well-typed Holland Lop should display the breed’s hallmark features: a massive head, wide crown, thick bone, and a short, compact body.

Proper crown placement is especially important because it supports correct ear carriage and the characteristic lop appearance. Weak crowns or narrow heads can lead to poor ear placement and an overall loss of breed type over time.

For this reason, our breeding decisions at TTB Fairytale Rabbitry prioritize structural traits first. Color and markings are considered secondary to maintaining the strong physical qualities that define the Holland Lop breed.

By consistently selecting rabbits with correct type, we aim to preserve the qualities that make Holland Lops unique and competitive in the show ring.

Show, Brood, & Pet Quality Explained

Not every rabbit produced in a breeding program will have the same purpose. At TTB Fairytale Rabbitry, young rabbits are evaluated carefully as they mature and are placed into one of three general categories.

Show Quality / Show Prospect
Show prospects demonstrate the structural traits expected of a strong Holland Lop. These rabbits typically display a broad head, wide crown, thick bone, compact body, and balanced hindquarters. While young rabbits continue to develop as they mature, these individuals show the strongest potential to compete on the show table.

Brood Quality
Brood-quality rabbits may have one or two minor structural weaknesses that make them less competitive in the show ring, but they still possess traits that may positively contribute to a breeding program. These rabbits can play an important role in improving specific characteristics such as bone density, crown width, or body balance when paired carefully.

Pet Quality
Pet-quality rabbits make wonderful companions but are not suited for showing or breeding. This may be due to structural faults, disqualifying markings, or simply not meeting the type standards desired in a breeding program. These rabbits are placed in loving homes where they can be enjoyed as friendly, social pets.

Each rabbit is evaluated honestly so it can be placed in the home that best fits its strengths and purpose.

How We Evaluate Young Rabbits

Young rabbits are carefully evaluated as they grow, as Holland Lops develop rapidly in their first few months of life. Early evaluations focus on several key structural traits:

Head Development
We look for a strong, broad head that shows early signs of mass and width.

Crown Width and Placement
The crown should be wide and correctly positioned to support proper ear carriage.

Bone and Substance
Thick front legs and strong bone structure indicate good overall substance.

Body Length and Balance
Ideal Holland Lops should be short, compact, and well balanced with a full hindquarter.

Overall Growth and Condition
Healthy growth, good coat condition, and proper body weight are also considered.

As rabbits mature, they may be placed into one of three categories:

Show Prospect – strong potential for the show table
Brood Quality – may contribute positively to a breeding program
Pet Quality – wonderful companions but not suited for breeding or showing

Our goal is to place each rabbit in the environment where it will thrive while continuing to improve the overall quality of our breeding program.

Common Faults in Holland Lops and How We Work to Avoid Them

Maintaining correct Holland Lop type requires careful selection and constant evaluation. Certain faults can appear quickly in breeding programs if structural traits are not prioritized.

Some common faults seen in Holland Lops include:

Narrow Head or Weak Head Mass
A lack of head width can diminish the breed’s characteristic appearance and reduce overall balance.

Poor Crown Placement
A narrow or poorly positioned crown can lead to incorrect ear carriage and ears that sit too far back or too high on the head.

Long or Narrow Body
Holland Lops should be compact and well balanced. Rabbits with longer bodies often lose the breed’s desired compact appearance.

Weak Bone Structure
Thin front legs and light bone can reduce substance and overall type.

Flat or Narrow Hindquarters
Full hindquarters contribute to the balanced, rounded body shape expected in the breed.

At TTB Fairytale Rabbitry, we work to minimize these faults by selecting breeding animals that demonstrate strong head development, wide crowns, thick bone, and compact body structure. Pairings are planned carefully to strengthen desirable traits while improving areas that may need refinement.

By consistently prioritizing structural quality over color alone, we aim to preserve and improve the overall type of Holland Lops within our program.

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