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130:, which was imported into England in the mid-19th century. The Flemish Giant was exported from England and Belgium to America in the early 1890s to increase the size of meat rabbits during the great "rabbit boom". In the British Isles, the breed developed to such a degree that it was recognized as distinct from the
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The
American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) standard recognizes seven different colors for the breed: black, blue, fawn, sandy, light gray, steel gray, and white. The show standard minimum weight for a senior doe is 6.4 kilograms (14 lb), and the show standard minimum weight of a senior buck
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programs throughout the United States as a starter rabbit for teaching children responsibility and care of farm animals and pets. Another popular youth program outside 4-H that promotes responsible show breeding is the
National Federation of Flemish Giant Breeders Youth Program. Flemish Giants are
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The breed received little attention in the United States until about 1910, when it started appearing at small livestock shows throughout the country. Today, it is one of the more popular breeds at rabbit shows due to its unusually large size and varying colors. It is promoted by the
National
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Flemish Giant rabbits weigh 6.8 kilograms (15 lb) on average, though the largest ones can weigh up to 22 kilograms (49 lb). The longest one on record (which holds the record for the longest rabbit in the world of any kind), measured about 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in) long.
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Federation of
Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders, which was formed in 1915. The Flemish Giant has many nicknames, including the "Gentle Giant" for its uniquely docile personality, and the "universal rabbit" for its varied purposes as a pet, show, breeding, meat, and fur animal.
112:, states that "The earliest authentic record of the Flemish Giant Rabbit occurred about the year 1860, in which the veterinarian and ex-biologist, Oscar Nisbett selectively bred a series of generations of Patagonian rabbit."
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or about 3.8 kilograms (8.4 lb)) and the
European "Patagonian" breed (now extinct). This "Patagonian" rabbit, a large breed that was once bred in Belgium and France, was not the same as the
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The first standards for the breed were written in 1893 by Albert van
Heuverzwijn. The Flemish Giant is an ancestor of many rabbit breeds from all over the world, one of which is the
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The gestation period is between 28 and 31 days. On average, they give birth at 30–32 days. The
Flemish Giant rabbit can produce large litters, usually between 5 and 12 in a litter.
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Flemish giants are popular as pets, especially in Europe and North
America. Although they are large, they are known to exhibit cleanliness and can be trained to use a litter box.
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is 5.9 kilograms (13 lb). The world's largest rabbit is Darius, a
Flemish Giant rabbit that weighs 49 lb (22 kg) and measures 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in).
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Bucks have a broad, massive head in comparison to does, and can take 1.5 years to reach full maturity. Does may have a large, full, evenly carried
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of the
Flemish Giant is glossy and dense. When stroked from the hindquarters to the head, the fur will roll back to its original position.
161:, the Flemish Giant is a semi-arch type rabbit with its back arch starting behind the shoulders and carrying through to the base of the
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165:, giving a "mandolin" shape. The body of a Flemish Giant Rabbit is long and powerful, with relatively broad hindquarters. The
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Flemish Giants can be docile and tolerant of being handled if they frequently have interactions with humans.
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74:, Belgium. It is believed to have descended from a number of meat and fur breeds, possibly including the
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and meat. They are often kept as pets as they are known for being docile and patient when being handled.
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Flemish Giants, due to their uncomplicated grooming requirements and docile personalities, are used by
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the second-oldest domesticated rabbit breed in the United States, following behind the now rare
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176:(the fold of skin under their chins), and can take 1 year to reach full maturity.
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of rodents that cannot interbreed with rabbits. Thomas Coatoam, in his
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54:). Flemish Giants are historically a utility breed used for their
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421:"Flemish Giant Rabbit Breed Info: Pictures, Traits, & Facts"
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80:("Stone Rabbit"—referring to the old Belgian weight size of one
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70:. It was bred as early as the 16th century near the city of
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Domestic Rabbits & Their Histories: Breeds of the World
104:), sometimes called the Patagonian hare, a species in the
438:. Chicago: Laird & Lee – via Internet Archive.
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335:
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513:"Rabbits Projects - 4-H Youth Development UW-Extension"
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436:"Laird & Lee's standard Belgian hare manual"
313:"Horn Rapids Rabbitry-The Flemish Giant Rabbit"
434:Hall, Geo F. (George Franklin) (1901-06-13).
8:
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397:"Dolichotis patagonum (Patagonian mara)"
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7:
575:Rabbit breeds originating in Belgium
348:. Leawood, KS: Leathers Publishing.
484:American Rabbit Breeder Association
14:
213:A Flemish Giant in an outdoor pen
202:Flemish Giant rabbit in captivity
344:Whitman, Bob D. (October 2004).
249:
157:As one of the largest breeds of
66:The Flemish Giant originated in
52:Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus
419:Cosgrove, Nicole (2020-04-13).
477:"ARBA Official Breed ID Guide"
1:
110:Origins of the Flemish Giants
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191:
46:) is the largest breed of
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371:"Sylvilagus brasiliensis"
275:Continental Giant rabbit
257:Rabbits and hares portal
132:Continental Giant rabbit
21:Continental Giant rabbit
19:Not to be confused with
188:Behaviour and lifestyle
94:Sylvilagus brasiliensis
457:Guinness World Records
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154:
153:A sandy doe with a boy
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76:
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31:
290:List of rabbit breeds
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192:Further information:
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118:
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401:Animal Diversity Web
375:Animal Diversity Web
270:British Giant rabbit
102:Dolichotis patagonum
36:Flemish Giant rabbit
369:Buresh, J. (2004).
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204:
155:
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32:
535:"Youth Home Page"
355:978-1-58597-275-3
121:Shetland Sheepdog
119:A male next to a
86:Patagonian rabbit
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519:. Archived from
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453:"Longest Rabbit"
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570:Rabbits as pets
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395:Mascow, Molly.
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285:Domestic rabbit
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159:domestic rabbit
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98:Patagonian mara
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48:domestic rabbit
30:A Flemish Giant
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16:Breed of rabbit
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523:on 2006-09-04.
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565:Rabbit breeds
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493:on 2015-03-30
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319:on 2009-04-02
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280:Angora rabbit
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542:. Retrieved
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495:. Retrieved
488:the original
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460:. Retrieved
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378:. Retrieved
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321:. Retrieved
317:the original
237:Belgian Hare
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226:4-H and show
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194:House rabbit
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134:as of 1937.
128:Belgian Hare
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44:Vlaamse reus
35:
33:
517:4h.uwex.edu
106:cavy family
77:Steenkonijn
559:Categories
544:2022-11-21
539:NFFGRB.ORG
462:2022-11-21
323:2009-02-12
296:References
265:French Lop
145:Appearance
90:Argentina
380:June 30,
243:See also
218:Breeding
68:Flanders
497:May 12,
62:History
352:
174:dewlap
491:(PDF)
480:(PDF)
82:stone
72:Ghent
40:Dutch
499:2015
382:2012
350:ISBN
163:tail
34:The
232:4-H
167:fur
88:of
56:fur
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