Flemish Giant

Coat and looks how to spot one

normal short-furred coat on a long, large-framed body

One of the largest domestic rabbits, with a long, powerful body and a big frame. It wears a normal short rabbit coat that comes in seven solid colours; the traditional steel grey was the original colour of the breed.136

Personality what they are like

Known as the gentle giant for good reason: a Flemish Giant is usually relaxed, patient and friendly. Rabbits that are handled often from a young age tend to accept being picked up and petted, and they can get along with children and other pets when introductions are done carefully. Their quiet nature has even made some of them successful therapy animals.15

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate but space-hungry. Plan for several hours a day out in a large, safe run or rabbit-proofed room where the rabbit can hop, stretch and explore at full length.5

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Brush once a week, and about twice a week during seasonal moults. Check and trim nails regularly and keep an eye on the ears. Because of their weight, give them soft, solid flooring such as rugs, mats or thick bedding rather than wire, and support the hindquarters when lifting.5

Home where they are happiest

Needs far more room than a standard hutch. Welfare guidance for two medium rabbits is a combined living space of at least 3 m x 2 m x 1 m high, where each rabbit can stand upright without ears touching the roof and stretch out fully; a giant breed needs at least that, scaled up. Breed guides suggest an enclosure around 1 m wide and 3 m long as a base, plus daily free-roam time and hiding places large enough for its size.75

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Unlimited grass hay (such as timothy) should make up most of the diet, with constant fresh water, a daily portion of leafy greens and a measured amount of quality pellets. Being so large, a Flemish Giant eats noticeably more than an average rabbit, so budget for plenty of hay.75

Company who they like around

Like all rabbits, a Flemish Giant is happiest with a compatible rabbit companion, ideally one of similar size. It also enjoys regular calm time with its people.75

The story where it all began

The breed grew out of the large meat and fur rabbits kept in Flanders, possibly as far back as the 16th century. Its forerunners likely included the old Belgian Steenkonijn (stone rabbit, named after a weight unit of roughly 3.8 kg) and the now vanished Patagonian, a big iron-grey rabbit that Dutch traders may have brought to Europe. Breeders around Ghent refined these rabbits over generations, and reliable records begin around 1860. Albert van Heuverzwijn wrote a breed standard in 1893, and the same year a 4.5 kg standard was shown at an exhibition in Chemnitz, Germany, where German breeders later pushed the size up to 8-9 kg. England had a Flemish club early on, and steel grey rabbits shown at the Crystal Palace in London reached around 16 lb. Flemish Giants crossed to America in the late 1800s and again in 1908-1910, all steel grey at first. The National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders formed in 1915, whites and blues were added in 1919, sandy greys were developed in Salt Lake City around 1923, and fawns joined the standard in 1938. The Flemish Giant is also counted among the ancestors of the Belgian Hare and the Continental Giant.1382

Recognised by the official bits

ARBA

Recognised breed in seven colour varieties: black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray and white6

National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders (NFFGRB)

US national specialty club, founded 1915 with 86 charter members from 19 states; one of the oldest breed clubs in the US8

British standard

Recognised in the British Isles as a breed separate from the Continental Giant by 1937; Belgium, the Netherlands and Britain still use the Flemish Giant name1