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131:, 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.
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and meat. In the modern day, they are no longer commonly raised for meat, due to their slow growth and very large bones, and are raised for exhibition at rabbit shows. They are often kept as pets as they are known for being docile and patient when being handled.
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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.
162:, 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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166:, 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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75:, Belgium. It is believed to have descended from a number of meat and fur breeds, possibly including the
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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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97:), a wild species of a different genus weighing less than 0.9 kilograms (2.0 lb), nor the
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177:(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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422:"Flemish Giant Rabbit Breed Info: Pictures, Traits, & Facts"
81:("Stone Rabbit"—referring to the old Belgian weight size of one
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71:. 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
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105:), sometimes called the Patagonian hare, a species in the
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439:. Chicago: Laird & Lee – via Internet Archive.
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514:"Rabbits Projects - 4-H Youth Development UW-Extension"
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437:"Laird & Lee's standard Belgian hare manual"
314:"Horn Rapids Rabbitry-The Flemish Giant Rabbit"
435:Hall, Geo F. (George Franklin) (1901-06-13).
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398:"Dolichotis patagonum (Patagonian mara)"
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576:Rabbit breeds originating in Belgium
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349:. Leawood, KS: Leathers Publishing.
485:American Rabbit Breeder Association
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214:A Flemish Giant in an outdoor pen
203:Flemish Giant rabbit in captivity
345:Whitman, Bob D. (October 2004).
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158:As one of the largest breeds of
67:The Flemish Giant originated in
52:Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus
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420:Cosgrove, Nicole (2020-04-13).
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478:"ARBA Official Breed ID Guide"
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1:
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111:Origins of the Flemish Giants
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46:) is the largest breed of
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372:"Sylvilagus brasiliensis"
276:Continental Giant rabbit
258:Rabbits and hares portal
133:Continental Giant rabbit
21:Continental Giant rabbit
19:Not to be confused with
189:Behaviour and lifestyle
95:Sylvilagus brasiliensis
458:Guinness World Records
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154:A sandy doe with a boy
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291:List of rabbit breeds
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193:Further information:
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402:Animal Diversity Web
376:Animal Diversity Web
271:British Giant rabbit
103:Dolichotis patagonum
36:Flemish Giant rabbit
370:Buresh, J. (2004).
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536:"Youth Home Page"
356:978-1-58597-275-3
122:Shetland Sheepdog
120:A male next to a
87:Patagonian rabbit
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520:. Archived from
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454:"Longest Rabbit"
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571:Rabbits as pets
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286:Domestic rabbit
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160:domestic rabbit
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99: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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524:on 2006-09-04.
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494:on 2015-03-30
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320:on 2009-04-02
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281:Angora rabbit
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543:. Retrieved
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489:the original
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461:. Retrieved
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379:. Retrieved
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322:. Retrieved
318:the original
238:Belgian Hare
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227:4-H and show
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195:House rabbit
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135:as of 1937.
129:Belgian Hare
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44:Vlaamse reus
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518:4h.uwex.edu
107:cavy family
78:Steenkonijn
560:Categories
545:2022-11-21
540:NFFGRB.ORG
463:2022-11-21
324:2009-02-12
297:References
266:French Lop
146:Appearance
91:Argentina
381:June 30,
244:See also
219:Breeding
69:Flanders
498:May 12,
63:History
353:
175:dewlap
492:(PDF)
481:(PDF)
83:stone
73:Ghent
40:Dutch
500:2015
383:2012
351:ISBN
164:tail
34:The
233:4-H
168:fur
89:of
56:fur
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