​Breeding With a Purpose

An ethical breeder carefully plans each litter with the goal of improving temperament, structure, and overall quality. They don't just breed bunnies at random, each pairing is thoughtfully selected with the intention of passing down specific physical traits and temperament. 

In contrast, a backyard breeder breeds bunnies without clear goals or understanding of genetics. Anyone can pair two bunnies to simply produce babies for profit. Without careful selection, this approach can lead to a line of poor quality litters with nervous temperaments. 

 

What's a Pedigree? And Why It Matters?

A pedigree is simply a birth certificate proving that your bunny is a 100% purebred Holland Lop (or any other breed of bunny that you are looking to purchase) with verified lineage. Ethical breeders maintain pedigrees to track genetics and type across generations. Purchasing a bunny from a "breeder" without the presence of a pedigree is no different than buying a bunny from a pet store, craigslist ad, or shelter - where the parents have unknown histories, questionable breeding, and increased risk of hereditary issues. 

 

Understanding Genetic Risks​

The broken pattern gene causes a bunny to appear white with colored markings. Bruni, our blue buck carries the broken gene. Additionally,  Bambi our tri doe also carries the broken gene (she is technically a harlequin with the broken pattern). Cleo, our blue otter doe does not carry the broken gene and therefore is a solid color with the otter pattern.  When you breed two broken patterned Holland Lops together (Bruni x Bambi), you risk producing Charlies - a minimally marked Holland Lop with a predisposition to Megacolon, a serious and potentially lifelong digestive condition. For this reason, ethical breeders avoid these pairings, prioritizing the health and wellbeing of future litters. 

**You can verify if both parents are broken patterned by checking the pedigree or by asking to see photos of the parents. If no pedigree is available, it's always wise to ask questions before bringing a bunny home.

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​Likewise, ethical breeders never crossbreed different rabbit breeds. Crossbreeding two different breeds with different head structures can result in a high risk of Malocclusion - a condition where a bunny's teeth do not align correctly and continue growing uncontrollably. Malocclusion is painful and requires lifelong dental care - severely affecting a bunny's quality of life. 

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The Importance of Socialization

You may have heard that bunnies scratch, bite, or can't be handled - but much of this comes from lack of socialization. Rabbits are prey animals, and if they aren't handled daily and exposed to people regularly, they can become fearful or aggressive. 

Ethical breeders handle their bunnies daily, socialize them with humans and other animals, and raise them in clean, and nurturing environments. This sets the foundation for a friendly, confident bunny.

At our program, we raise our bunnies inside our home so they're used to being part of a family from day one. But many ethical breeders use well-maintained outdoor enclosures - it's the time, care, and hands-on attention that matters. 

 

Why It Matters

Choosing to adopt from an ethical breeder ensures you are bringing home a well-socialized companion with a known background that was bred for health, type, and temperament. It also means you're supporting a breeder who truly cares about their animals and the future of the breed.

 

Have questions about finding an ethical breeder or understanding pedigrees? Feel free to reach out - we're happy to help guide you!