At a glance the quick version
TheVetDesk gives 15-25+ lb (about 6.8-11.3 kg and more), not split by sex. The heaviest on record weighed about 24 kg (53 lb) per Wikipedia.
Coat and looks how to spot one
normal fur
A very large rabbit with a mandolin-shaped body, descended from the Flemish Giant. It is shown in two separate breeds in the UK, one for white rabbits and one for coloured ones.23
Personality what they are like
A gentle, docile and friendly rabbit that is clever enough to learn tricks and can be trained to a litter tray and even a harness. With proper handling it is good with children and can live peacefully alongside other pets.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs a lot of floor space every day to hop and stretch out at full length; many owners use a shed with a run or supervised free-roaming.24
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush regularly and trim nails often, as indoor rabbits do not wear them down. Provide soft flooring such as fleece or thick bedding to cushion the feet of such a heavy rabbit.2
Home where they are happiest
Needs far more room than a standard hutch: TheVetDesk suggests an enclosure of at least 12 x 12 ft (about 3.7 x 3.7 m), and welfare guidance asks that a rabbit can stand fully upright and hop several times in a row.24
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Unlimited hay with fresh water, plus fresh vegetables and leafy greens and a measured amount of quality pellets. Being so big, it eats much more than an average rabbit; TheVetDesk gives 6-12 cups of pellets a day for an adult.25
Company who they like around
Happiest living with another rabbit, ideally one of a similar size, and bonds well with its family.25
The story where it all began
The Continental Giant comes from the Flemish Giant and was first recorded in 1893, originally as a meat breed in continental Europe. Its calm nature later made it a popular family pet, and in Britain it is shown as two breeds, Coloured and White.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
A Continental Giant called Darius, bred by Annette Edwards, measured about 4 ft 4 in (132 cm) long.1
- 2
Annette Edwards' rabbits have held the longest-rabbit record since 2004, across several generations.1
- 3
In 2010 a rabbit named Ralph was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's heaviest rabbit.1
- 4
It can be trained to walk on a harness and lead if started young.2
Recognised by the official bits
- British Rabbit Council
- Recognised in two breeds in the Normal Fur section: N.16 Continental Giant Coloured and N.17 Continental Giant White.3
- ARBA
- Not recognised as a breed by ARBA.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Continental Giant. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily while moultingevery week
- Nail trimevery 6 weeks
- Teeth checkTeeth never stop growingevery week
- Fresh hayUnlimited hay every dayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bottom checkCheck the fur around the tail stays clean, especially in summerevery day
- Free roamAt least 4 hours of running space a dayevery day
- VaccinationsSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Continental Giant rabbit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, recognition, records, lifespan
- Continental Giant Rabbit - TheVetDesk thevetdesk.comused for weight, temperament, care, housing, diet, social needs
- Breed Standards - British Rabbit Council thebrc.orgused for BRC recognition (N.16 Coloured, N.17 White)
- Rabbit environment - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for housing space
- Rabbits - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for general diet and social care
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.