WATCH NOW: Flemish Giant Rabbits Are Really Big Bunnies
If you're looking for a big, cuddly, friendly rabbit, you'll probably find it in the Flemish Giant. Flemish rabbits are much larger than many other breeds, but don't let their large size fool you - these big rabbits tend to be laid-back and enjoy the companionship of people.
The Flemish Giant rabbit is one of the largest breeds of rabbits today. They weigh at least 13 pounds, and some have even weighed in at 20 pounds. Large rabbits have not been nearly as popular as smaller breeds in the past few decades, but big bunnies were widely popular back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Origin of the Flemish Giant Rabbit
Flemish refers to the type of Dutch spoken in Flanders, the northern region of Belgium where large rabbits were being bred in Belgium back in the mid-19th century. Some think the Flemish Giant rabbit was created by crossing Belgian rabbits with giant rabbits from Argentina, which sailors brought back to Europe in the 16th century.
According to the Maryland Park Zoo, Flemish Giants were originally bred for their meat and their fur. The breed standards were written in 1893. During the 1890s this breed was introduced to the United States.
The Flemish Giant Today
This domestic breed of rabbit is now favored as a pet today, but if you look closely you can still see the physical influences of wild rabbits. Flemish Giants have retained large ears and good eyesight, which would have helped them to evade predators in the wild.
According to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Flemish Giants can weigh as much as 22 pounds, though most only weigh about 15 pounds. They have powerful bodies and strong hindquarters, and females usually have folds of skin under their chins. The Flemish Giant comes in many different coat colors, including light gray, steel gray, black, fawn, sandy, and white.
Flemish Giants as Pets
The Maryland Park Zoo states that Flemish Giants are known as the "gentle giants" of the rabbit world. They have a very docile nature and, when raised correctly, can be great pets to have with younger children in the home. Because these rabbits can be litter box trained, they can roam around freely indoors.
While these rabbits are good pets, they are still raised for meat and fur today. Some rabbit breeders and owners choose to compete Flemish Giants in rabbit shows.
Caring for the Flemish Giant
While Flemish Giants are large, friendly rabbits, they aren't a practical pet rabbit for everyone. Because of their size, Flemish Giant rabbits require much more food and much larger living space than a typical domestic rabbit. They can grow to be bigger than some dogs, and they are actually much better off being kept in a large dog crate with a smooth bottom than in a typical rabbit cage or hutch. These rabbits need at least five square feet of space to feel comfortable.
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