Flemish Giant Rabbit

by Diana Faria

Published: June 25th, 2016

About Flemish Giant Rabbit

Weight

9-14 lb

Lifespan

5-8 years

Body Shape

Semi-Arch/Mandolin

Best Suited For

Rabbits for Singles, House Rabbits, Families with children, First-time owners, Indoor/Outdoor enclosures

Temperament

Friendly, docile, sweet

Size

Giant

Comparable Breeds

French Lop, Giant Angora Rabbit

Flemish Giant Rabbit Breed History/Origin

The Flemish Giant rabbit is an old breed and researchers are still not sure on its origins. Some say they are descendants from Patagonian and/or Stone rabbits, which were breeds raised for their meat and fur. Others say they are descendants of the Argentinian Patagonian rabbit – questions concerning their history continue to be unanswered.

What we do know is that this breed came from Belgium and England to America in the 1890s and it wasn’t until the early 1900s that the breed began to make appearances in livestock shows. The National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders (NFFGRB) was formed in 1915 and when the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) was formed in 1924, the NFFGRB became part of that association. The Flemish Giant became an ARBA recognized breed in 1929.

The Flemish Giant Rabbit has a glossy, short and dense coat.

Overall Description

True to their name, the Flemish Giant Rabbit is indeed an imposingly large breed. On average, these popular rabbits weigh 15 pounds on average once they are fully grown. Granted, there are much bigger specimens of the breed recorded, with males weighing up to 22 pounds and females up to 20 pounds. But, while it’s undeniable that their impressive size is the most striking thing about these rabbits, it’s not the only appearance trait that appeals to bunny owners.

A Flemish Giant Rabbit will have a mandolin or semi-arched body shape, with a well-defined rise starting near the shoulders. The highest point of the body’s arch is at the hip, giving them a graceful appearance. Their bodies are long and strong, well-muscled but not fat. Males (bucks) have a broader, more massive head than females (does) who can also have a dewlap. The usual length of these rabbits is about 20 inches, but one Flemish Giant Rabbit made history when it became the longest recorded rabbit- at a whopping 4 feet and 3 inches. The ears are erect, thick and around 5 inches in height.

Coat

The Flemish Giant’s coat is glossy, short and dense. This is the so-called rollback fur. Because it is not long like that of the Angoras, for example, they do not require much grooming. Regular brushing with a slicker brush will be more than enough to keep their hair lustrous and soft.

Rabbits tend to shed more than usual during the springtime months, so make sure to increase the grooming frequency at that time. It’s important to help your pet get rid of loose hair, otherwise, they can end up ingesting most of it, which leads to serious health issues.

Colors

The ARBA accepts only seven varieties of the Flemish Giant Rabbit. This includes the following colors: sandy, fawn, white, light gray, steel grey, black and blue. The ARBA does not accept any combinations of color, also known as “broken patterns”

Many Flemish Giants play with other dogs and can be seen cuddling alongside them.

Care Requirements

This particular rabbit can live in indoor or outdoor enclosures/cages, depending on the owner’s housing situation. Outdoor rabbits should have a hutch, however they should not have any stairs or ramps leaving to another level because of its size. Either indoor/outdoor enclosures need to be large enough so your Flemish Giant Rabbit can stretch out and hop inside of it. As a rule of thumb, for this giant breed, this would mean a minimum of 3 feet by 4 feet. Some owners have found out that large dog crates work perfectly well for their rabbit and have set the inside to cater to their rabbit’s needs. In any case, rabbit cages need to have a solid bottom (not wire) and need to be laid with bedding. Bedding needs to be spot-cleaned every day and completely replaced at the end of every week.

Regardless of how spacious and comfy their enclosure is, Flemish Giants will need to spend plenty of time outside of it. Keeping a bunny full-time in a cage is cruel, especially when you have a large, active breed such as this one. On a daily basis, let out your rabbit to hop about freely and explore his environment at his own pace. In case they are indoors, thoroughly bunny proof the room before letting them out. All bunnies are big chewers, but Flemish Giant especially so, as they have the strength to make even more damage if you let them. Protecting furniture from bunnies and bunnies from electric cables is a must if you want your pet to play safely and without any destructive consequences for your belongings.

For those rabbits who get to play in a yard, make sure to securely fence the area where you are letting them roam and always supervise them. Flemish Giant Might be a bit big for most predators (but still, not for all!) but there’s still a possibility of them hopping over a fence or finding a hole to go through.

When it comes to nutrition, Flemish Giant’s diet is no different than any other rabbit breed – they only need more food because of their size. They enjoy a diet comprised mostly and hay (about 70 percent). They also enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables including carrots, watercress, red or green lettuce, celery, mango, pear, and peach. Select leafy greens can also be added into their diet so long as they do not have high water content. They also enjoy daily pellets – adult rabbits will eat about 1/4 cup of high-fiber pellets everyday for every five pounds they weigh. Considering this rabbit’s size, they do require quite a lot of food so financial responsibility is definitely needed in order to properly feed them.

Health

Besides having sore hocks as a direct result of wire-bottomed cage, Flemish Giants are not particularly susceptible to any hereditary disease or health complication.

Having said that, there are a few health problems you need to be aware of before purchasing a rabbit.The most common issue with rabbits is overgrown teeth- unlike most animals, their teeth just keep on growing as long as they live. Usually, rabbits who have a high-fiber diet of hay won’t have these issues, as their teeth wear down from chewing on roughage. However, if you find your rabbit’s teeth seem to be growing a little faster than they are wearing down, provide straw or wicker mats, rabbit-safe blocks of wood or straw baskets. These are a great way for them to have fun and wear down those teeth to boot. Seventy percent of their diet should be hay, though, so make sure you’re not skimping on hay in favor of fruits and veggies.

Rabbit ears also need to be checked regularly for ear mites, which is more common with outdoor rabbits than indoor ones. Finally, they should also be given a pea-sized amount of de-worming paste twice a year as a preventative measure.

Other issues include sniffles, GI stasis, or infectious diseases. In case you notice anything amiss with your bunny, from eye discharge to constipation or simple unusual behavior, contact a veterinarian that specializes in small animals.

The Flemish Giant is also known as “Universal Rabbit” and “Gentle Giant.”

Temperament/Behavior

The Flemish Giant rabbit has two nicknames – the “Universal Rabbit” because of it is a breed that serves all four rabbit purposes (meat, show, coat and pet) and a “Gentle Giant” because it is so well-mannered and docile. Despite its large size, they are a recommended rabbit breed for first-time owner, as they are relatively low maintenance and have sweet personalities. This also makes them great pets for singles, couples and families with children of any age. Because they are so large, children should not attempt to pick this rabbit up but instead play with them while they are on the ground (which means stroking their fur, nuzzling them, petting them, etc).

A great advantage with this breed being so large is that some owners have found that dog harnesses for medium-sized dog breeds fit this rabbit well. There are some who enjoy taking their rabbit out in the back/front yard on the harness, and if your yard is not fenced, putting your rabbit on a leash is a great idea. Be sure to slowly introduce the harness and reward them when they have made progress. Like other rabbit breeds, their personalities will also flourish when given some toys they can chew and play with. This can include balls, rabbit-safe wooden blocks and toys purchased from your local pet store. Rabbits do not generally become upset or possessive over toys, so having children play with their toys while they are around should not be a problem, especially because Flemish Giants are so well-mannered.

Unlike some rabbit breeds, Flemish Giants generally do well with other animals in the house as well so long as the other animal don’t mind the rabbit’s presence. There are many cases of Flemish Giants playing with other dogs (generally larger ones like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, etc.) and can be seen cuddling alongside them when they are in their beds/loungers as well.

This breed of rabbit is intelligent so training them to obey basic commands as well as potty training may be slightly easier than other rabbit breeds (however compared to cats and dogs, still challenging). With lots of patience, time and rewards, your rabbit will understand the connection.

Photo credit: DLHoward/Bigstock; Life on White/Bigstock; Willee Cole/Bigstock

Diana Faria

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Relationship therapists have long used the concept of “Love Languages” to encourage better communication among couples. It defines how we express and receive love and sorts these behaviors into five categories – acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, gift-giving, and quality time. But did you ever stop to consider how your pet may fit into this framework? The folks at Nulo Pet Food did!Recently, the brand partnered with OnePoll to survey 2,000 cat and dog parents to better understand the secret to your pet’s heart.The survey found that quality time is the most popular love language among cats and dogs (27%). This refers to showing affection by giving your pet your undivided attention, with this increase in attention leaving our pets feeling loved and cared for. For 62% of respondents, this meant allowing their pet to sleep in their bed each night, while 40% reported that they would include their pet in their daily plans whenever possible.Of course, food still scored high in offering a path to a pet’s heart despite not technically being part of the original five love languages.53% of pet parents said they showed love by providing their pets with high-quality meals, which could technically fall under both acts of service and gift-giving. Dedicated to their pets' overall well-being, 47% answered that they showed love by prioritizing their pet’s health and nutrition over all else, and 32% focused on adding variety to their diet.“With 69% of respondents willing to put their pet’s dietary needs before their own, the data clearly shows just how important a role pets plan in their people’s lives,” explained Heather Acuff, Ph.D., Nulo’s Director of Research & Development. “Not only are pet parents speaking their pet’s love language, they’re going above and beyond to provide optimum care and nutrition to ensure the healthiest and happiest lives for their pets.”What inspires us to prioritize our pets so highly in our lives? These furry family members hold an important role in our lives, with 47% of pet owners believing their pet views them as a best friend and 42% stating that their pet sees them in the same way.This data gives us an insight into the dedication that pet parents show in providing quality nutrition to their dogs and cats. When asked why they feed their current diet, 50% said they strongly believed their pet enjoyed the food, 35% chose the diet for its high-quality ingredients, and 29% decided on a diet based on their budget.How important is variety in our pets’ diets? Only 48% of those surveyed believed they could survive eating the same meal every day for three months. It highlights the importance of products like food toppers that allow us to provide variation and make mealtime interesting while still prioritizing feeding a well-balanced diet. This includes commercial food toppers and pet-friendly human foods like pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, and more.Ultimately, the data reveals that food is one of the most significant ways we express our love and affection to our pets – possibly even making it the sixth love language for pets and pet parents!

Dog Helps Find Missing Child

Dogs can be heroes, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to the story of a very special police K9 in Auburn, Massachusetts. When a 12-year-old went missing from their home and couldn’t be found for roughly two hours, Auburn police knew that they had to work quickly, and Biza the dog played an integral role in the child’s rescue.Child Found with the Help of a Police K9 Named BizaAccording to a Facebook post by Auburn MA Police Department, information about a missing child was received around 10:30 p.m. on January 31, 2024. The child had been missing since around 8:30 p.m., when they had left their home. No one knew where the child could be, and the frigid temperatures made everyone worry even more about their safety.Because the child had last been seen in the Pakachoag Hill area, Auburn police officers, Massachusetts State Police troopers, and detectives got to work looking for them. But it would be Biza, the K9 partner of Officer Ljunggren, who would really come through and help the search end successfully that night.Following the Scent to a Missing ChildBiza picked up the child’s scent and tracked it for more than two miles. The police were able to find signs that the missing child had been in the area, so they kept up the search until they were able to find them and bring them home to their family just a short while later.This is one example of many times that Biza has helped police in Auburn succeed since she joined them in 2022 from Germany. In addition to helping find missing people, she has also helped police track down suspects.  Thanks to Biza and her ability to track the right scent that night, a child was saved from the cold and made it home safe.Here’s a quick video about this story, showcasing a few photos of beautiful Biza:

Is Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs?

Ah, peanut butter –who doesn’t love a smear of this sticky butter on their toast? Whether you top it with bananas or jelly or something else altogether, spread on bread, mix in oatmeal, or add to smoothies, you likely enjoy the nutty goodness of peanut butter at least a few times a week. But can you share PB with your dog? While this tasty spread is generally safe for dogs as they have no issue eating peanuts in the form of butter, it’s the other ingredients that may be in the PB you’re eating that could harm them. This is what you should know before giving your pet peanut butter – whether as an ingredient of something else or on its own.Is Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs? To give you a short and straightforward answer, yes, peanut butter is safe for dogs when it’s made only out of peanuts as the single ingredient. However, that’s not always the case with commercially made peanut butter. To tweak its consistency, shelf life, or even modify its flavor, companies can add a variety of different ingredients to their peanut butter products, so it’s crucial to read the label before giving your pet even just a lick of peanut butter – and it wouldn't hurt to do so before eating it yourself, either. The most dangerous ingredient (for dogs) that could be added to peanut butter is  xylitol, or birch sugar, as it is sometimes labeled. This sweetener is highly toxic to dogs as even small amounts of xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and liver failure in dogs.Another thing that could be problematic about peanut butter for dogs is not a matter of a sneaky ingredient but the fact that it’s a high-fat food. If not given in moderation, peanut butter can largely contribute to obesity in dogs, and in turn, promote health issues such as  pancreatitis at worst and upset tummy at best. It is also important to note that some dogs may be allergic to peanuts, the same as is the case with us humans. If you are giving your pet peanut butter for the first time, monitor them for signs of allergic reactions, such as itching, redness, swelling, or gastrointestinal upset, and consult your veterinarian if concerns arise.Benefits of Peanut Butter for Dogs and How To Incorporate It In Your Dog’s DietIn addition to being yummy, peanut butter is also beneficial for dogs. It might be high in fat, but it is predominantly unsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, joint function, and immune system function in dogs. It is also a rich source of plant-based protein and will support your pet's overall health when given in moderation. So how do you ensure you don’t overdo it with PB and that your pet reap only the benefits of this nutty spread? While an excellent reward to utilize when training with positive reinforcement methods, peanut butter should be given sparingly rather than every time your pooch does a good job. Use a small amount – a teaspoon will work well for the job. Alternatively, if your pet loves the taste of peanut butter but you’re trying to maintain their weight, opting for peanut butter-flavored treats is a perfect compromise. My dogs prefer crunchy treats and are big PB fans, so one of their favorites is  American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats.

How Acupuncture Can Help Cats and Dogs

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and it can be used on people and pets to address a range of conditions. By balancing the flow of energy in the body, this technique can help reduce or resolve symptoms in a natural way.Many people have used acupuncture for their pets and achieved incredible results. But, like anything else, it might not be right for all pets or all conditions. And working with a qualified veterinarian who’s certified in pet acupuncture is key.Read on to learn more about acupuncture for cats and dogs.What Is Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats?In acupuncture, fine needles are placed in the skin on certain points throughout the body, referred to as acupuncture points or acupoints, in order to do things like restore energetic balance, reduce pain and inflammation, and support healthy blood flow. Based on your pet’s symptoms and condition, an acupuncturist will know where to insert the needles to get positive results.The needles shouldn’t cause any discomfort for your pet. In fact, pet parents often state that their animals become relaxed during their acupuncture sessions.Types of Pet AcupunctureThere are a few types of pet acupuncture, and an acupuncturist will determine which is best for your dog or cat.Dry needle acupuncture is the type of acupuncture that you’re likely familiar with. However, instead of using needles, acupuncturists can simply apply pressure to specific points on a pet’s body to support healing—this is known as acupressure.Other options include electroacupuncture, which combines the use of needles with an electric current, and laser acupuncture, which uses a cold laser to stimulate acupuncture points. The Benefits of Acupuncture for PetsAcupuncture can provide a host of benefits to pets when done correctly and by the right professional. As always, it’s wise to discuss this healing technique with your veterinarian to figure out if it’s appropriate for your canine or feline. And it’s important to discuss the potential risks or drawbacks before deciding if you want to try it.Some of the conditions that may be treated with the help of acupuncture include:Arthritis and joint problemsAcupuncture can be used to help relieve discomfort and pain associated with various conditions. If your pet has been diagnosed with arthritis or hip dysplasia, if they’ve been injured and are dealing with pain, or even if they’re having pain after a procedure, acupuncture might be a good treatment for reducing inflammation and improving mobility.In addition to acupuncture treatments, you can also help your pet feel more comfortable by using a heated bed like the K&H Thermo-Snuggle Cup Heated Cat Bed, which can also work well for small dogs. This product is machine washable and features soft fleece that your companion will love snuggling into. Its circular shape ensures your furry friend will feel nice and secure. Plus, you can use the removable heater to help alleviate discomfort and keep them warm while they relax or nap. 

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