The Flemish Giant, revered for its docile and friendly temperament, is one of the most popular breeds of very large domestic rabbits that are commonly kept as pets. It has a long, powerful semi-arch type body, with broad hindquarters. The does can be identified by their large, evenly carried dewlap while the bucks are characterized by their broad, massive head. It can become tolerant of handling with frequent human interactions but can develop fear and aggression if handled in an irresponsible manner.
The Flemish Giant originated in the 16th century near Ghent, Belgium, and is thought to have evolved from fur and meat rabbits, including the extinct European ‘Patagonian’ and the Stone Rabbit (Steenkonijn). The breed received recognition from the American Rabbit Breeders’ Association (ARBA) in 1910, and it is popularized by the National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders (NFFGRB), which came into existence in 1915.
Indoor/outdoor rabbit, house pet, show rabbit, assisted-therapy pet, education
Singles, families with children, inexperienced owners
Belgium
Docile, tolerant of handling, sweet, friendly
No
8-10 years
Giant, 29-50 inches long
15-22 lbs
30-52 inches
About 30-51 inches
Glossy, short, dense, rollback
Erect, thick, around 5 inches long
Low
High
Flemish Giants eat more than the smaller breeds, and their litter boxes become dirty more quickly. Make sure to clean and change your bunny’s litter box every 3-4 days for adequate care.
An indoor cage should have a minimum dimension of 36 X 48 X 48 inches; you may use a large indoor dog crate with an attached playpen or a safe, enclosed outdoor dog kennel
Plenty of timothy hay, high-quality pellet with 16% protein, 6-8 cups of leafy veggies, 6-8 tablespoons of carrots or apples as treats daily
Occasional
Regular
Not much grooming needed, brush every week using a slicker brush to keep its short, dense fur lustrous and soft
Low
High
Make sure your rabbit spends 2-3 hours outside its enclosure, let it hop about freely in a bunny-proof room; allow it to roam and play in a securely fenced yard and always supervise it
Low
High
Pet-quality Flemish Giants without pedigree usually cost $20-$50 while breeding-quality rabbits are priced anywhere from $50-$100; the overall cost of keeping a Flemish Giant varies between $660-$2,700
Low
High
Sheds moderately throughout the year, but molting is higher in spring and fall when its coat can be brushed a couple of times every week to take care of the loose hairs