Flemish Giant
Encyclopedia
Domestic rabbit
A domestic rabbit, or more commonly known as simply the rabbit, is any of the several varieties of European rabbit that have been domesticated....
, most famous for its large size compared to other rabbits.
History
The Flemish Giant is an old breed of domesticated rabbits, originating from the Flemish region. They have been bred as early as the 16th century around the city of Ghent, Belgium. It is believed to have descended from a number of meat and fur breeds, possibly including the Steenkonijn (Stone Rabbit - referring to the old Belgian weight size of one 'stone' or 3,5 kg) and the European "patagonian" breed (now extinct). This 'Patagonian' rabbit was a large landrace breed that was once bred in Belgium and France. The Patagonian breed was not related to the Patagonian rabbitTapeti
The Tapeti , also known as the Brazilian Rabbit or Forest Rabbit, is a cottontail rabbit species found in Central and South America....
of Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
(Sylvilagus brasiliensis) a separate wild species which weighs less than two pounds (about 1 kg), nor the Patagonian hare
Patagonian Mara
The Patagonian Mara, Dolichotis patagonum, is a relatively large rodent in the mara genus . It is also known as the Patagonian cavy or Patagonian hare. This herbivorous, somewhat rabbit-like animal is found in open and semi-open habitats in Argentina, including large parts of Patagonia...
(Dolichotis patagonum), which is a variety of rodent (classified as a Cavy) and thus cannot interbreed with domesticated rabbits.
Thomas Coatoam in his "Origins of the Flemish Giants" tells us
"The earliest authentic record of the Flemish Giant Rabbit occurred
about the year 1860.
At that time, in England, stories were being circulated by travelers having recently returned from Flanders, of the enormous size of the rabbits raised in that country and in parts of France. Weights of certain specimen were stated to be 18 to 20 pounds. However, a close investigation of the matter of weights proved that 12to 14 pounds were the average weight of giant rabbits raised in the above mentioned country.
Rabbit meat at the time was being imported into England to the extent of millions of pounds yearly ad local breeders were unable to fill the demand. English breeders of meat stock produced their product from stock weighing an average of 7 to 8 pounds at maturity, so it was but a short time later that the first importation of Flemish breeding rabbits took place. The British Islands are populated thickly with what is termed the middle class of people. Rabbit breeding as a fancy and as a means of reducing family expenses was looked upon more as a necessity than a hobby with this class of natives and it was but a short time before the Flemish Giant made its appearance at some of the many rabbit shows held periodically in England."
The first standards for the breed were written in 1893. The Flemish Giant is an ancestor of many rabbit breeds all over the world. One of them is the Belgian Hare
Belgian Hare
The Belgian Hare is a fancy breed of domestic rabbit, that was developed through selective breeding to closely resemble the wild hare in physical appearance, and is believed to be one of the most intelligent and active breeds of domestic rabbit...
that was imported into England in the middle 19th century. The Flemish Giant was imported from England and Belgium to America in the early 1890s to help improve the size of meat rabbits during the great "rabbit boom".
It received little attention until about 1910 where it
started appearing at small livestock shows throughout the
country. Today, it is one of the more popular breeds at rabbit
shows because of its unusually large size and its varying colors. It is promoted by the National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders which was formed in 1915.
The Flemish Giant has many nicknames, first and foremost the "Gentle Giant" for its uniquely docile personality and also the "universal rabbit" for its multi purposes of pet, show, breeding, and meat.
Appearance
As one of the largest breeds of domestic rabbitDomestic rabbit
A domestic rabbit, or more commonly known as simply the rabbit, is any of the several varieties of European rabbit that have been domesticated....
, the Flemish Giant is a semi-arch type rabbit with its back arch starting back of the shoulders and carrying through to the base of the tail
Tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
giving a "mandolin" shape. The body of a Flemish Giant Rabbit is long and powerful with relatively broad hindquarters. Bucks have a broad, massive head in comparison to does. Does may have a large, full, evenly carried dewlap
Dewlap
A dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. While the term is usually used in this specific context, it can also be used to include other structures occurring in the same body area with a similar aspect, such as those caused by a double...
(the fold of skin under their chins). The fur
Fur
Fur is a synonym for hair, used more in reference to non-human animals, usually mammals; particularly those with extensives body hair coverage. The term is sometimes used to refer to the body hair of an animal as a complete coat, also known as the "pelage". Fur is also used to refer to animal...
of the Flemish Giant is known to be glossy and dense. When stroked from the hindquarters to the head, the fur will roll back to its original position. ARBA standard has seven different colors, black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray and white. They are shown in six classes (three buck classes and three doe classes): Junior bucks and does under 6 months, Intermediate bucks and does 6–8 months, and Senior bucks and does 8+ months. The minimum show weight for a Senior (older than 8 months) doe is 14 lbs (about 6.4 kg), and the minimum weight of a Senior buck is 13 lbs (about 5.9 kg) (ARBA Standards of Perfection). A senior doe can take 1 year to reach full maturity. A senior buck can take 1.5 years to reach full maturity. It is not unusual to see a 10 kilo (22 pound) Flemish Giant, and specimens weighing over 50 kilos have been reported. The largest of rabbits weigh as much as 50 pounds, although these species technically constitute Continental and German Giants.
Behavior and Lifestyle
Flemish Giants can be docile and tolerant of handling; frequent interaction with humans is a requirement for this to occur. Flemish Giants, like all rabbits, can become fearful, and sometimes violent, if handled incorrectly or irresponsibly. Their larger frame requires special attention paid to the spine alignment when handling a Flemish Giant, or any rabbit for that matter. Consequently, potential owners should consider these factors in addition to their size, level of food consumption, and substantial waste production before buying. The well-being of a Flemish Giant, like all rabbits, is dependent upon the care of a responsible owner. Consequently, rabbits may not be an ideal pet for younger or immature caregivers.Due to its large size, the Flemish Giant needs substantial living quarters that provide ample opportunity for physical movement. The House Rabbit Society
House Rabbit Society
The House Rabbit Society is a non-profit organization based in Richmond, California that rescues and adopts rabbits and educates the community on how to properly care for them. HRS tries to promote responsible rabbit ownership, including the spaying and neutering of all pet rabbits, and proper...
recommends keeping rabbits inside the home in a very large pen or room(s) in the home. Larger dog crates are often more appropriate than traditional rabbit and small-pet cages, which tend to be smaller and shorter. In the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
's standards for animal housing, rabbits over 12 pounds must have at least 5 square feet of floor space. The size of appropriate living quarters increases with size of the rabbit.
Cages with incorrectly sized wire gauge bottoms (as opposed to small gauge wire or solid bottoms) can harm the feet of a Flemish Giant more so than smaller house rabbits due to their increased weight. A resting board may be required to prevent sore hocks for a larger breed rabbit. The Flemish Giant will require larger quantities of food compared to smaller breeds of domestic rabbits. Like some other short hair breeds of rabbits, the Flemish Giant will usually require mild attention to grooming
Personal grooming
Personal grooming is the art of cleaning, grooming, and maintaining parts of the body. It is a species-typical behavior that is controlled by neural circuits in the brain.- In humans :...
due to its shorter hair. Shedding during the spring and fall transition periods tend to be the most dramatic, with smaller sheds often occurring in between.
Diet
A variety of foods is available for rabbits, including commercial pellets, home-mixed grains, grass and legume hays, fresh forages, and vegetables. Flemish Giants can be fed as other rabbits, so long as the amount is increased to match the larger size of the animal. The American Rabbit Breeders' AssociationAmerican Rabbit Breeders' Association
The American Rabbit Breeders Association is a national club for domestic rabbit and cavy breeders. The ARBA is headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois in the United States...
recommends feeding no more pellets than an individual animal can finish in twenty to thirty minutes in one feeding a day., except for does nursing litters. Unlimited feeding is recommended for nursing does. The ARBA recommendations also include hay and occasional treats.
In supplementing a commercial diet, care must be taken to avoid excess protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
, calories, and minerals such as salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
and calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
, which in excess can cause kidney stones. Overfeeding leading to obesity is a major health concern for both commercial and pet rabbits. Dietary changes should be made slowly to avoid gastric upset.
The House Rabbit Society recommends that the Flemish Giant be offered 2 cups of chopped leafy vegetables per 6 pounds (3 kg) of body weight (although this should be provided after four months of age to prevent enteritis
Enteritis
In medicine, enteritis, from Greek words enteron and suffix -itis , refers to inflammation of the small intestine. It is most commonly caused by the ingestion of substances contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and fever...
), and no more than 2 tablespoons of fruit or carrots per 6 pounds of body weight daily (due to higher carbohydrate content). Treats can be used for both training and bonding, although they should only be used in limited quantities. Some treats recommended by the House Rabbit Society include: a slice of strawberry
Strawberry
Fragaria is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, commonly known as strawberries for their edible fruits. Although it is commonly thought that strawberries get their name from straw being used as a mulch in cultivating the plants, the etymology of the word is uncertain. There...
, banana, apple, green pepper, carrot, or a finger dipped in organic yogurt. Limited amounts of black, white and green tea (but not red and many herbal teas) can be used as sweet treats provided all ingredients are rabbit safe. Treats that contain nuts, seeds, and grains should be used very sparingly, or outright avoided, as they contain levels of protein and starch that are high enough to contribute to GI statsis.
The Flemish Giant will also require an unlimited amount of clean, fresh water, usually provided for in a water crock, tip-proof dish, or hanging water bottle. Frequent cleaning of food and water containers is necessary to prevent the growth of potentially harmful bacteria.
Breeding
The American Rabbit Breeders' AssociationAmerican Rabbit Breeders' Association
The American Rabbit Breeders Association is a national club for domestic rabbit and cavy breeders. The ARBA is headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois in the United States...
(ARBA) recommends delaying breeding of female rabbits until they reach the senior weight range. For Flemish Giants, this is 14 pounds, and a typical rabbit will reach this weight when they are about 9 months to one year. The breeding lifespan of a rabbit is variable. Some breeders prefer that their does have no more litters after the age of three years while others continue to produce quality litters for five to eight years. The gestation period is between 28–31 days. On average they give birth at 30–32 days. The Flemish Giant rabbit can produce large litters, usually between 5 to 12 in a litter.
4-H and Show
Flemish Giants, due to their uncomplicated grooming requirements and docile personalities, lend themselves naturally to a starter rabbit for the myriad of different 4-H programs throughout the country, teaching children responsibility and care of farm animals and pets.Another very popular youth programs outside of 4-H which promote responsible show breeding is the National Federation of Flemish Giant Breeders Youth Program.
Since Flemish Giants are the second oldest domesticated rabbit breed in the United States, following behind the now rare Belgian Hare, information, help, advice, assistance and shows are readily available for the new owner of the Universal Breed,the Gentle Flemish Giant.
External links
- NFFGRB (the National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders)
- Pet Planet - Rabbit Breeds - Flemish Giant
- Flemish Giant Information and Breeder
- Sugar Ray's Rabbits - Renown U.S. Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeder
- http://www.sle.be Website of Steunpunt Levend Erfgoed (Focal Point Living Heritage) in Flanders