The Flemish Giant: Belgium’s supersized rabbit with a surprising history
This summer, Belga English is showcasing some of Belgium’s most remarkable animals. From giant rabbits to enormous horses and dogs with the best sense of smell in the world, we look at the unique species that originate in Belgium.
Belgium is famous for its chocolate, beer and surrealist art. But it is also the birthplace of one of the world’s largest breeds of rabbit: the Flemish Giant.
This colossal breed originated in 19th-century Ghent, where rabbit fanciers started breeding the heaviest animals selectively. Weekly contests to weigh the largest individuals helped to create a rabbit that could easily rival a small dog in size.
The breed was originally known as the Ghent Giant and was exported to Germany in the 19th century, where it was included in the country’s first official rabbit standard in 1893. There, it was developed further into a larger variant – the Deutscher Riese, or German Giant – which was formally registered in 1937.
In a curious twist of history, it was these German lines that later helped shape the modern Flemish Giant. Although the breeds are similar in size, the German variant is generally heavier.
Adult Flemish Giants typically weigh between 6 and 7.5kg, with some individuals reaching up to 10kg – far larger than the average wild European rabbit, which rarely exceeds 2.5kg in weight. Their ears can grow to a length of up to 21cm.
Today, Flemish Giants are bred in 10 standardised colours, including chinchilla, hare-brown, blue, yellow, black and iron grey. Animals with mixed or uneven coats are disqualified from shows and are generally considered to be crossbreeds.
Despite their imposing appearance, these rabbits are famously docile. Their calm and friendly nature makes them popular at livestock exhibitions, in classrooms and at petting zoos, as well as in animal-assisted therapy. In some countries, they are even kept as pets – a giant, floppy-eared alternative to the family dog.
Their size does bring certain demands: an adult Flemish Giant can consume up to half a kilo of vegetables per day, so they require as much commitment as they provide curiosity. Nevertheless, they remain a living symbol of Belgium’s rich breeding heritage and the country’s enduring fascination with scale.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO LUCILE PETIT / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
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