Flemish Giant rabbit
The Flemish Giant is the largest rabbit breed. Show adults must weigh at least 13 lb, there is no upper limit, and ARBA says many pass 20 lb. It is known as docile, but its size makes it a handful to lift and house.
- Temperament
- Docile
- Cold tolerance
- Heat tolerance
- Space needed
- 8 sq ft
Is the Flemish Giant right for you?
Good fit if
- You have room for a cage of about 24 × 48 in, or more
- You want a docile rabbit and can lift 13 lb or more safely
- You want a large buck to cross onto meat does for faster-growing fryers
Poor fit if
- The rabbit is for a child to carry and care for alone
- You only have wire-floored cages with no solid resting area
- You want the standard meat breed. Penn State ranks medium-weight New Zealand Whites first
Appearance and varieties
Size is the point of the breed. The standard has no maximum weight. Senior bucks, at 8 months and over, must weigh at least 13 lb and senior does at least 14 lb. Even juniors under 6 months must weigh 6½ lb to be shown.
There are seven recognised colours: black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray and white.219
Temperament and handling
ARBA says the breed's docile personality earned it the nickname Gentle Giant. Utah State University Extension makes the same point about large breeds in general: they tend to be more docile than small ones.
The catch is the weight. The same extension service says a Flemish Giant is difficult to hold and handle because of its sheer size, and may not be the best pet for a child. Sit down to handle any rabbit, and have an adult supervise young children.136
Animals vary within a breed. Treat this as what to expect, not a promise, and meet the animal before you buy if you can.
Production numbers
What to expect from a healthy doe. If two sources disagree, you see the full range.
| Measure | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mature weight | 13 lb and up13 | Penn State lists the breed as a large meat rabbit |
| Crossbreeding | Flemish Giant bucks on New Zealand White does give faster-gaining fryers that reach 4 lb early14 | A terminal cross: all the offspring go for meat |
| First breeding age | 10–12 months5 | ARBA's recommendation for large and giant breeds |
| Gestation | 28–32 days5 | Give the doe a nest box by day 28. Figure for rabbits in general. |
Planning a litter? Use the rabbit gestation calculator.
Housing, feed and health
Housing
For a rabbit of 11 lb or more, Utah State University Extension gives a minimum cage of 24 in deep, 36–48 in wide and 18 in high, and adds that bigger is better. The legal minimum ARBA publishes for the breed is 5 sq ft, or 7.5 sq ft for a doe with a litter.
ARBA names Flemish Giants among the breeds prone to sore hocks and says they may need a solid floor, or a resting board in a wire cage.
ARBA gives 55–70°F as the ideal range. Rabbits acclimated to cold cope well with it; they do poorly above 85°F, so give shade and moving air in summer.35
Feed
For a pet rabbit, Utah State University Extension recommends unlimited water, grass hay as about 80% of the diet, leafy greens as about 10%, and small amounts of pellets and treats. Its pellet guide is ¼–½ cup per 6 lb of rabbit.
ARBA's advice for breeders is different: a measured ration of pellets once a day, sized to the breed, with free feeding only for nursing does and growing litters. Change feeds slowly either way.35
Health
ARBA names the Flemish Giant among the breeds prone to sore hocks and says they may need a solid floor or a resting board. Summer heat is a risk: Alabama Extension says rabbits don't cope well above 90°F and in high humidity. Penn State Extension lists cleanliness, good ventilation, close observation and protection from sun and rain as the basics of keeping rabbits healthy.
This is a starting point, not medical advice. If your rabbit stops eating or seems unwell, call a vet who treats rabbits, or your county extension office.51213
Price and where to buy
Prices are per rabbit, read from three breeders' pages on 2026-10-08. One breeder prices show stock at $250 and up, so the top of the range is a starting figure; that breeder's page was last updated in April 2017, so its $150 and $250 figures may be out of date. Pedigreed kits at one farm cost less than pet-quality rabbits at another, so compare locally.
Where to look
Start with a breeder you can visit. Nobody pays to be on this list.
| Seller or directory | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ARBA Find a Breeder | Directory | Search by breed and state |
| National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders | Breed club | Directory of member breeders |
| Motrosa Farm, Virginia | Breeder | Pedigreed kits $125–175; waitlist |
| Grimes Family Fluffers | Breeder | Pedigreed show quality $250 and up; pet quality $150 when available. Page last updated April 2017 |
| Paradise Valley Farm, Georgia | Breeder | Pets, not registered: bucks $175, does $200 |
Budgeting for housing and feed as well? See the rabbit cost guide.
Similar breeds
| Breed | Adult weight | Litter size | Beginner | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flemish Giant (this breed) | 13 lb or more | $150–$200 | ||
| Checkered Giant | 11 lb or more | |||
| New Zealand | 9–12 lb |
History
ARBA says the Flemish Giant is believed to have originated in Flanders, Belgium, and was bred as early as the 16th century. The breed federation's own history is more cautious: it says opinions differ on the real origin, and that the earliest authentic record dates from about 1860, when travellers brought reports of giant rabbits back to England.
English breeders imported them, formed a club and improved the colour and weight. ARBA says the breed was exported to America in the early 1890s to add size to meat rabbits. The federation's history instead ties the first American imports to the time of the Belgian Hare boom, and says the breed drew little notice in America until about 1910.111
Common questions
How big does a full-size Flemish Giant rabbit get?
Show adults must weigh at least 13 lb for bucks and 14 lb for does. There is no maximum, and ARBA says they often weigh more than 20 lb.21
What colours do Flemish Giants come in?
Seven: black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray and white.9
How long do Flemish Giants live?
No lifespan figure here is specific to Flemish Giants. Utah State University Extension says pet rabbits in general live 8 to 14 years, but that is not specific to giant breeds.3
Are Flemish Giant rabbits good for meat?
Partly. Penn State lists the breed as a large meat rabbit but says medium-weight New Zealand Whites are best for meat. Texas A&M suggests using Flemish Giant bucks on New Zealand White does, which gives faster-gaining fryers that reach 4 lb early.1314
Are Flemish Giants good pets?
They are docile, which is where the nickname Gentle Giant comes from. Utah State University Extension warns that their size makes them hard to hold, so they may not suit a child.16
Sources
The small numbers beside each fact point to one of these.
- American Rabbit Breeders Association, Recognized breeds: Flemish Giant.
- National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders, Showing in the correct class.
- Utah State University Extension, Pet Rabbit Projects: Getting Started (PDF).
- BreedBarn, Editorial rating, method on the editorial policy page.
- American Rabbit Breeders Association, hosted by University of New Hampshire Extension, ARBA Recommendations for the Care of Rabbits and Cavies.
- Utah State University Extension, Understanding the Basics of Rabbit Care.
- Grimes Family Fluffers, Flemish Giants.
- Paradise Valley Farm, Rabbits for Sale.
- American Rabbit Breeders Association, ARBA Official Breed ID Guide: Rabbit (updated January 2026).
- The Livestock Conservancy, Conservation Priority List.
- National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders, Ancient origins of the Flemish Giant.
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Summer Heat and Rabbit Production, UNP-0082 (PDF).
- Penn State Extension, Rabbit Production.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Backyard Production of Meat Rabbits in Texas (E-138).
- Motrosa Farm, Flemish Giants.
Something wrong? Tell us and we'll check it.