All about the Flemish Giant Rabbit:
Flemish Giant Rabbits are a popular breed of domestic rabbits, most famous for its large size in comparison to other types of rabbits. The Flemish Giant has a maximum weight of 18-21 lbs, and can live for up to seven years or more.
(Please note: The following information is to help future pet owners that are getting aquatinted with their new Flemish Giant Rabbits or are thinking of getting a new bunny. You may, or may not, agree with some of this information, and that is ok... Either way, we sincerely hope that the information listed below, will help you with your new pet Flemish Giant Rabbit. You will find that we will discuss how much of the industry does things, and then, we will discuss the things or ways, that have worked for us, or how we have preferred to do things. Again, if any of this information helps you in any way, or maybe gives you a better idea on how to do it differently, or better... Then, we have accomplished our goal. Enjoy your new fuzzy butt adventure!
Difference in the sexs:
There are a few differences in the sex of a Flemish Giant other than the obvious.
Head:
Fawn BuckWhite DoeMales have a larger more square head. Does have a slinder more refined head.
Dolap:
Steel Gray DoeSandy DoeSome does have a larger dolap than others. This is where the doe pulls most of the hair from to make a nest when she has a litter. Some judges like a small one, others like a large one. I tend to like a larger dolap. Males do not have a dolap.
Skirt:
Steel Gray DoeSandy BuckBoth bucks and does can have a skirt. It is kinda rare to see a male with a skirt.
History:
The origins of the Flemish Giant rabbit are uncertain. It is believed that the Flemish Giant rabbit is the modern descendant of the Patagonian rabbit of Argentina, which was brought to Europe by 16th and 17th century Dutch traders. The large rabbits of Flanders were well known at the time, and may have been cross bred with the Patagonian. While the name "Flemish" comes from Flanders, the similarities to the Patagonian lead many to speculate that this giant is in fact descended primarily from wild Argentine rabbits.
However, opponents of this theory point out the Argentina Patagonian rabbit is actually classified as a Cavy and association with the Flemish Giant is very doubtful. Instead, it is argued that the Flemish came from combinations of a number of giant breeds from the old Flemish region possibly including the Steenkonijn (Stone Rabbit) and the European "Patagonian" breed (now extinct). An alternative hypothesis put forward is that near the end of the 19th Century, the Flemish Giant as we know it today was developed in eastern Europe and the first standards were written by Albert Van Heuverzwijn in. On the other hand, Wilkins (1896) wrote that the Flemish Giant was developed from the Leporine imported into England in the middle 1800’s and shares its ancestry with the Belgian Hare. The Flemish Giant was imported from England and Belgium to America in the early 1890's. It received no special attention until about 1910 where it started appearing at small livestock shows throughout the country. Today, it is one of the more popular -is promoted by the National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders which was formed in 1916.
Flemish Giant Info
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Flemish Giant Info
Flemish Giant Info
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Page last updated: December 28, 2011
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