The Flemish Giant rabbit is a domestic rabbit breed mainly very known for it’s large size. It is the largest rabbit breed in existence and originated in Flanders. The breed was bred as early as the sixteenth century near the city of Ghent, Belgium.
But the modern Flemish Giant rabbit breed was developed in the United Kingdom. The breed is believed to have descended from a number of fur and meat rabbit breeds. Probably the Stone Rabbit and the European Patagonian Rabbit was also a part of this. Those Patagonian rabbit (now extinct) was a large breed which was once bred in Belgium and France.
The first standards for the Flemish Giant rabbit breed were written in 1893. And the breed is an ancestor of many other rabbit breeds all over the world. One of them is the Belgian Hare, which was imported into England in the mid nineteenth century.
The Flemish Giant rabbit was brought to the United States in the early 1900s. And the breed is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
The breed is also known by many other nicknames, such as the Gentle Giant for its uniquely docile personality and the Universal Rabbit for it’s varied purposes as breeding, pet, fur, meat and show animal. Read more information about this rabbit breed below.
Flemish Giant Rabbit Characteristics
The Flemish Giant rabbit is one of the largest domestic breed of rabbit in the world. They have long bodies and a wide back with well rounded and solid fleshed hindquarters. Their legs are strong, muscular and are of average length.
They have large ears which are held in a V shape above the head. Male Flemish Giant rabbits have a broader and more imposing head than the females. The breed has smooth medium length hair with a glossy sheen and a dense undercoat. There are many color varieties of this rabbit breed.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognized seven different colors for this breed. Which are Black, Blue, Light Gray, Steel Gray, Fawn, Sandy and White.
Body weight of a Flemish Giant rabbit can reach about 10 kg. But the show standard minimum weight for a senior doe is about 6.4 kg and the show standard minimum weight of a senior buck is about 5.9 kg. Photo from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Flemish Giant rabbit is very popular as pets. They are also very suitable for commercial rabbit farming business for producing meat and fur. The breed is also popular as show animal.
Special Notes
Flemish Giant rabbits are calm and make excellent pets. But they are too heavy for most children to handle. This breed can be good for you if you are looking for a gentle giant.
The size of the Flemish Giant rabbit might seem intimidating, but they are relatively very calm and are of sweet natured. Their personality has been compared to that of the most gentle of dog breeds. They are also very good for raising with other pets.
As a large breed, these rabbits require a lot of space. They can also be kept in cages. The bucks usually take about 1.5 years to reach full maturity. And the does take about 1 year for reaching their full maturity.
Average lifespan of a Flemish Giant rabbit is about 5-10 years. Review full breed profile of this breed in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Flemish Giant |
| Other Name | Gentle Giant, Universal Rabbit |
| Breed Purpose | Good as pets and show animal. Very suitable for commercial meat and fur production. |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Weight | Can reach about 10 kg. But the show standard minimum weight for a senior doe is about 6.4 kg and the show standard minimum weight of a senior buck is about 5.9 kg. |
| Suitable for Commercial Production | Yes |
| Good as Pets | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | All |
| Color Varieties | Black, Blue, Light Gray, Steel Gray, Fawn, Sandy and White. |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country of Origin | Belgium |
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about Flemish Giant rabbit. Here we are listing the most common questions about this beautiful rabbit breed, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
Is Flemish Giant rabbit farming profitable?
Yes, commercial production of Flemish Giant is a very profitable business. You can start this business easily even if you are a beginner.
How to start Flemish Giant rabbit farming business?
Starting commercial production of Flemish Giant is relatively easy and simple. You can start this business easily. First of all try to select a very good location for your farm, then make a good house for them, feed them good quality food and always try to take good care of your animals.
Do Flemish Giant rabbits bite?
Yes, the Flemish Giants may also bite if they are stroked for too long, or if they feel unable to escape from a situation.
Can you walk a Flemish Giant rabbit?
Yes, some rabbits can be leash trained for specific purposes. Although, most of the rabbits will get more exercise from free-roaming playtime. However, you will need to start with a proper harness if you want to train your rabbit to walk on a leash.
Do Flemish Giant rabbits have health problems?
Yes, like many other domestic rabbit breeds, the Flemish Giant rabbits also can develop any of the health concerns common in other breeds. Some of these are GI stasis, malocclusion, respiratory disease, mites, and, in unspayed females, uterine cancer etc.
How long do Flemish rabbits last?
Average lifespan of a Flemish Giant rabbit is between 8 and 10 years.
Do Flemish Giant rabbits need a cage?
Yes, they need a cage. They actually need a larger sized cage than the average bunny. The cage should allow the bunny to stand up on its hind legs without hitting the top of the cage, provide a resting area and space for a litter box.
What do Flemish rabbits eat?
The Flemish Giants are just like many other domestic rabbit breeds and they love mainly fresh hay and grass.
Do Flemish Giant rabbits smell?
No, they don’t have a body odor. But if you notice any odor emanating from them, then the rabbit is probably sick or has an invection.
At what age is a Flemish Giant full grown?
Generally, a Flemish Giant can take up to 1.5 years to reach their maximum body weight.
How big is a full grown Flemish Giant?
A full grown Flemish Giant can weight 15 pounds on average and can reach a length of 2.5 feet. The females have a dewlap under the chin that they use to warm their young. And the males have broader heads than the females.
Can Flemish rabbits be potty trained?
Yes, these bunnies can be litter trained, just like cats.
Why is my Flemish Giant rabbit not eating?
Your Flemish Giant can stop eating due to many reasons such as dental disease, stress and gut problems.
How cold is too cold for Flemish rabbits?
Temperatures below 20°F may be too cold for the Flemish rabbits, even for the healthy adult rabbits.
How do you bond with a Flemish Giant rabbit?
Try to pass some time with your rabbit everyday. Try to teach your rabbit to not be afraid of hands and petting them is an excellent way to bond with it.
Which is bigger Flemish or Continental?
Flemish Giants can be much bigger than the Continental.
How many rabbits are in a Flemish Giant litter?
Typical litter size of a Flemish Giant is 5-12 young.
Are Flemish Giants destructive?
Yes, they can be a bit destructive if they don’t have an outlet for this behavior.
What are Flemish Giant rabbits used for?
These rabbits are used mainly for meat production purposes. Some people also keep them as pets.
Are Flemish Giants friendly?
Yes, they are! They are actually one of the calmest and most friendly breeds of rabbits. They are generally very friendly with their owners and with other pets. They are ideal as a home pet.
Can Flemish Giants Jump?
Yes, they can jump up to 3 feet high.
How big should a Flemish Giant be at 6 months?
A Flemish Giant can reach around 11 and 13.5 pounds of body weight at their 6 months of age.
