~Flemish Giant~

~Flemish Giant~

Origin: The Netherlands (Holland)
Weight: 16 pounds and over
Colors: Black, Blue, Steel, Sandy, Gray, Fawn
Bred for: Meat, Show, and Pet

The Flemish Giant is the largest breed recognized by the ARBA, with many individuals breaking the 20 pound mark. The Flemish Giant's past is shrouded in mystery, but many believe they were descendants of an Argentine rabbit called the Patagonian, which Dutch traders brought into Flanders (which was part of The Netherlands at the time,) where it was perfected. Early documents of Flemish Giants date back to the 1860s. Flemish Giants were first imported into America in 1880s, but they did not pick up any popularity until the Belgian Hare made owning rabbits popular in the 1900s. They picked up their popularity around 1910.
Despite their size, Flemish Giants are very amiable, hence their nickname "the Gentle Giants." They do, however, fight back if mistreated, and rabbit bites are not the most pleasant things, especially if your rabbit is larger than your dog. Flemish Giants are mellow pets, and if you desire a bunny who runs around in circles all day, the Flemish Giant would not fit that category.
Flemish Giants have wide-set hindquarters and the broad, mandolin-shaped body of a meat rabbit. At maturity, the average length of a Flemish Giant measures up to 22 inches (almost a yard!) While their kits have dinky ears, adults have huge ears that make them appear like a furry, cute version of Yoda.

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