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The Checkered Giant, distinguished by its coat markings, is one of the largest domestic rabbit breeds. It is sturdily built and has a long, semi-arched, hare-like body with powerful legs and a broad head with erect ears. Believed to have been developed in either Germany or France during the early 1800s, the earliest ancestors of Checkered Giants were produced by crossing French Lops, Flemish Giants, and spotted rabbits. These were eventually bred with Flemish Giants to create the Great German Spotted rabbit or Lorraine rabbit.
In the early 1900s, a German breeder Otto Reinhardt crossed the Lorraine rabbit with a black Flemish Giant to produce a rabbit similar to the modern-day Checkered Giants. They were brought to the U.S. in 1910, and shortly after, they were acknowledged by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).
House pet, show rabbit, indoor rabbit
Seniors, singles, families with children
France, Germany
Gentle, sweet, curious, active, docile, fun-loving
No
5-8 years
Giant, 22-25 inches long
11-15 lbs
27-30 inches
About 25-30 inches
Soft, thick, short- to medium-sized
Broad, upright
Blue Checkered Giant Rabbit
Black Checkered Giant Rabbit
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The Checkered Giant likes to being groomed. Make sure to spot clean its cage every day and replace the bedding each week.
Keep it in a large indoor cage, measuring at least 36 X 36 X 48 inches. Use a more spacious enclosure for a group of Checkered Giants.
Plenty of hay, a cup of pellets, and a handful of fresh vegetables, including leafy greens and carrots per day
Occasional
Regular
Brush its coat once every two weeks to remove dead hair and occasionally spot-clean its fur. Also, check its ears for signs of mite infection and its mouth for overgrown teeth.
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High
Give it plenty of chew and mentally stimulating toys, let it run and play in a safe, enclosed yard where it can interact with human companions
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High
While their prices can vary, the annual cost of owning it is average
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An average shedder, but sheds more towards the end of the winter during which it should be brushed twice a week
