Orgin:
Opinions differ as to the real origin of this huge rabbit. It is believed that several breeds contributed to the development of the Flemish Giant we know today. Some are now extinct.
The Patagonian, which was also know as the Angevin, was a large, but not so handsome rabbit that lived many years ago. It was very common in England. There was a time when there was great discussion that maybe the Patagonian was just another name for the Flemish Giants. Some of these rabbits were said to be over 5 feet in length and weight about 20 pounds. That's one BIG rabbit!
There is also some belief that the orginal Patagonian was actually a wild rabbit of Patagonia in the Argentin Republic. During the 16th and 17th centuries the Dutch were sailing the seas, trading with the West Indies, Central & South America. It is not thought likey they would bring back just the name Patagonia, however it is very likely they would bring back to Europe the rabbit itself.
The Norman Giant, very popular in France in the 1870's, was also described as being ugly. It's head is very round and was shorter than some of the other giant breeds. They were very good breeders and produced excellent rabbits for show. Their babies weighed 8lbs at 4 months old. A refined version of this rabbit is still raised in Belgium today.
The Spanish Giant dates back to the early 1500's, much like our Flemish of today. It has very large ears that do not lop over and are often V-shaped. They are still raised in Spain today and one of their most popular breeds. It is unsure of exactly which breeds contributed and which breeds did not.
The earliest record of the Flemish Giant was about 1860. Stories were being circulated by travelers about these huge rabbits being raised in England and parts of France. It was said that they were weighing 18-20 pounds, but after closer inspection the weights were actuall only about 12-14 lbs. At this time rabbit meat was in huge demand and breeders could not keep up with the demand, so the discovery of this larger rabbit was welcomed.
The first Flemish Giants came to the U.S. about the same time as the Belgian Hare Boom in the early 1880's. The first Giants started showing up at shows about the year 1910. The National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders which was formed in 1916.
Today:
Flemish Giants are the largest rabbit that we know of today, but they are also known to be quite placid and laid-back, and as a result, they are known to be docile and tolerant of considerable handling.The fur of the Flemish Giant is known to be glossy and dense, and when stroked from the hindquarters to the head, the fur will roll back to its original position. It can come in several different colors, including black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray and white.
The minimum show weight for a Senior (older than 8 months) doe is 14 lbs, and the minimum weight of a Senior buck is 13 pounds. It is not unusual to see a 22 pound Flemish Giant, and specimens weighing 28 pounds have been reported.
Opinions differ as to the real origin of this huge rabbit. It is believed that several breeds contributed to the development of the Flemish Giant we know today. Some are now extinct.
The Patagonian, which was also know as the Angevin, was a large, but not so handsome rabbit that lived many years ago. It was very common in England. There was a time when there was great discussion that maybe the Patagonian was just another name for the Flemish Giants. Some of these rabbits were said to be over 5 feet in length and weight about 20 pounds. That's one BIG rabbit!
There is also some belief that the orginal Patagonian was actually a wild rabbit of Patagonia in the Argentin Republic. During the 16th and 17th centuries the Dutch were sailing the seas, trading with the West Indies, Central & South America. It is not thought likey they would bring back just the name Patagonia, however it is very likely they would bring back to Europe the rabbit itself.
The Norman Giant, very popular in France in the 1870's, was also described as being ugly. It's head is very round and was shorter than some of the other giant breeds. They were very good breeders and produced excellent rabbits for show. Their babies weighed 8lbs at 4 months old. A refined version of this rabbit is still raised in Belgium today.
The Spanish Giant dates back to the early 1500's, much like our Flemish of today. It has very large ears that do not lop over and are often V-shaped. They are still raised in Spain today and one of their most popular breeds. It is unsure of exactly which breeds contributed and which breeds did not.
The earliest record of the Flemish Giant was about 1860. Stories were being circulated by travelers about these huge rabbits being raised in England and parts of France. It was said that they were weighing 18-20 pounds, but after closer inspection the weights were actuall only about 12-14 lbs. At this time rabbit meat was in huge demand and breeders could not keep up with the demand, so the discovery of this larger rabbit was welcomed.
The first Flemish Giants came to the U.S. about the same time as the Belgian Hare Boom in the early 1880's. The first Giants started showing up at shows about the year 1910. The National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders which was formed in 1916.
Today:
Flemish Giants are the largest rabbit that we know of today, but they are also known to be quite placid and laid-back, and as a result, they are known to be docile and tolerant of considerable handling.The fur of the Flemish Giant is known to be glossy and dense, and when stroked from the hindquarters to the head, the fur will roll back to its original position. It can come in several different colors, including black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray and white.
The minimum show weight for a Senior (older than 8 months) doe is 14 lbs, and the minimum weight of a Senior buck is 13 pounds. It is not unusual to see a 22 pound Flemish Giant, and specimens weighing 28 pounds have been reported.