When you think of rabbit breeds, you may not picture one bigger than a medium-sized dog. Ralph, the current Guinness World Record holder for the largest rabbit, has an official weight of 55 pounds and consumes $90 in food a week. He’s a Continental Giant, one of the largest breeds of rabbits in the world.
Whether or not you agree that bigger is better, our list of the 10 largest rabbit breeds in the world may have you admiring their robust size and longing to wrap your arms around them. While they’re all large, these giant rabbit breeds have a wide range of temperaments and a variety of features. Once bred for fur and meat, most of these rabbits are now more popular as pets.
The 10 Largest Rabbit Breeds In The World
1. Flemish Giant
Weighing up to and occasionally over 20 pounds, the Flemish Giant is the largest rabbit breed in the world. This “gentle giant” has a docile temperament and an 8- to 10-year lifespan. The Flemish Giant rabbit comes in seven colors. They originated in 16th-century Belgium and were originally bred for their fur and meat.
These days, you’ll most likely find the Flemish Giant being bred for show or raised as a pet. Owning such a large rabbit requires plenty of space, a big food budget, and ample time for care.
See Also:
- Flemish Giant Rabbits for Sale: Breeders List in UK
- Flemish Giant Rabbits For Sale: Breeders List in the United States
2. Continental Giant
The Continental Giant rabbit breed can weigh up to 16 pounds or more. Thought to be descended from Flemish Giants, the body of this rabbit is powerful and long. Their thick, glossy coat comes in a variety of colors. Continental Giants have been raised for their meat, fur, and as show animals.
As a pet, The Continental Giant has a gentle, friendly, and intelligent temperament, but they generally prefer not to be picked up. If you’re considering owning a Continental Giant as a pet, remember that they’re better with older children and experienced owners who can provide a large living area.
3. Blanc de Bouscat
With pure white fur, red eyes, and stout stature, the Blanc de Bouscat has a stunning appearance. Full-grown bucks can reach 12 pounds, with mature does averaging around 14 pounds. You can identify a Blanc de Bouscat not only from their distinct white coat but also from their strong, muscular body, round head, and long, upright ears. The Blanc de Bouscat was developed in the village of Bouscat in Gironde. As a rare find in other countries, they’re especially popular as pets in France due to their calm yet playful nature.
4. Spanish Giant
With a typical weight of around 15 pounds, the Spanish Giant is a crossbreed between Flemish Giants and other large Spanish breeds. They have long, upright ears and dense, soft, short fur that comes in a few colors. Before Spain worked to bring back their numbers in 2009, the Spanish Giant nearly became extinct after being overused as a meat producer.
Today, their numbers are growing. Of course, it helps that the Spanish Giant tends to have litters of up to 16 bunnies. This calm and docile rabbit makes a good pet, but they only live 4 to 6 years.
5. Hungarian Giant
The Hungarian Giant rabbit weighs between 11 and 15 pounds. They came into existence over 200 years ago by intentionally breeding wild breeds with various continental breeds. The Hungarian Giant was first known as Hungarian Agouti until further breeding expanded their color and pattern diversity. The Hungarian Giant has soft, dense fur and upright ears. They have primarily been used for their meat. Recently, they have become show rabbits and pets.
6. French Lop
A widely popular rabbit breed, the French Lop can easily reach a weight of 15 pounds and beyond. They were created in France in the 19th century from a cross between an English Lop and a French Butterfly rabbit. One of their most distinguishing features is their long, floppy ears that reach well below their jawline.
They also have a broad forehead and chubby cheeks. Their soft yet dense rollback coat comes in many colors, including white, black, blue, brown, fawn, opal, chinchilla, and Siamese. The French Lops have a friendly, social nature that makes them wonderful pets. In fact, they thrive with human interaction and also make an impact as show rabbits.
7. British Giant
Derived from Flemish Giants, the British Giant doesn’t grow as big as their relative but still weighs between 11 and 15 pounds. They have a long, powerful body, a broad head, tall, upright ears, and a cottontail. British Giants have medium-length coats that are soft and dense and come in a variety of colors.
They are generally hardy and often bred for meat. The British Giant also makes a wonderful pet with their easy-going and docile temperament. They’re relatively inactive, preferring to relax and stretch out.
8. Checkered Giant
Weighing up to 12 pounds, the Checkered Giant rabbit has a plush, short white coat with black markings. Developed from the Flemish Giants, spotted rabbits, and large French lop-eared rabbits, the Checkered Giant is also known as the Giant Paillon in Europe. They have a trim build with an arched body resembling a hare, powerful legs, and slender upright ears.
They’re an active, energetic breed that requires plenty of exercise. Their curious, friendly nature makes them fun pets. The Checkered Giant rabbit has a lifespan of 5 to 6 years.
9. Silver Fox
The Silver Fox can grow to a maximum weight of 12 pounds. Aptly named, the Silver Fox has a short, dense coat with standing fur and silver tips resembling the Arctic-based Silver Fox. Although they can have blue, chocolate, and lilac fur, black is the only color recognized by ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association). The Silver Fox has a medium build and short, upright ears.
They were developed in America by Walter B. Garland and were originally named the American Heavyweight Silver. They have been raised for their fur and meat and for show. As a pet, the Silver Fox rabbit has a gentle temperament. This rabbit breed is known as being one of the best mothers to their young.
10. Giant Chinchilla
Listed by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) as having a maximum weight of 16 pounds, the Giant Chinchilla rabbit was developed in the United States in 1921 by Edward H. Stahl. The purpose of their development was to produce valuable chinchilla fur on a larger animal.
The result is a rabbit with a soft, dense, blue-gray fur coat and a soft white underbelly. They have a large body with long, upright ears. The Giant Chinchilla rabbit breed can live up to 10 years. They make lovely pets and often follow their owners around. Their temperament is relaxed, calm, and gentle yet playful.
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Feature Image Credit: Kateryna_Moroz, Shutterstock
