Why We Don’t Use the Vienna Gene in Holland Lops
Wondering about the Vienna gene in Holland Lops? Learn why we chose not to work with Vienna-marked rabbits or carriers, based on health concerns, breed standards, and long-term program goals.
Amy Jackson & The Hot Cross Buns
6/15/20262 min read
Why We Don’t Work With the Vienna Gene
From time to time, we’re asked about Vienna-marked rabbits or whether we work with the Vienna gene in our program.
The short answer is simple:
We don’t.
That decision comes from experience—not theory.
What the Vienna gene is
The Vienna gene is a color gene most often recognized by white markings—blazes, white feet, or blue eyes—in rabbits that are not genetically white.
In breeds like the Holland Lop, these markings can be visually striking, which is why they tend to draw attention.
But appearance is only part of the story.
Our experience with it
We have, at different points, worked with Vienna-marked rabbits, Vienna carriers, and blue-eyed whites.
Ultimately, the results were never something we felt confident building upon.
I found myself consistently concerned about the potential for deafness. Over time, I also noticed that the Vienna-marked rabbits we produced seemed to have a higher incidence of health issues and, in some cases, shorter lifespans.
That may not be everyone’s experience.
But it was ours—and that was enough.
Because our goal has always been to raise rabbits who are as healthy, stable, and long-lived as possible, we made the decision to step away from Vienna carriers entirely.
Why we chose not to continue
Our program is built around consistency—of type, temperament, and long-term direction.
The Vienna gene introduces variables that don’t align with that goal.
It can:
produce unpredictable markings
create mismarks that fall outside the breed standard
complicate long-term breeding decisions
We're not breeding for novelty or visual trend.
We are working within the framework of the breed as it is currently meant to be.
About the breed standard
The American Rabbit Breeders Association Standard of Perfection exists for a reason.
It defines what a breed is supposed to be—structurally, proportionally, and in recognized color varieties.
Vienna markings fall outside of that standard in Holland Lops.
So while they may be eye-catching, they are not part of the breed as it is formally recognized.
That matters to us.
This is a program decision—not a judgment
There are breeders who choose to work with Vienna-marked rabbits.
That is their decision.
This is ours.
We have chosen to step away based on our own experience and to keep our program focused on:
recognized varieties within the breed
consistent, predictable outcomes
rabbits suited for long-term health and stability
What we focus on instead
We focus on raising rabbits who:
align with the breed standard
have steady, well-balanced temperaments
transition well into indoor companion homes
Because at the end of the day, color is not what makes a rabbit a good fit for a home.
Health, temperament, and thoughtful placement are far more important to us.
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