Flemish Giant
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Flemish Giant is a type of rabbit, most famous for its unusually large size compared to other rabbits. Flemish giants come in seven varieties recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association: black, blue, fawn, light grey, sandy, steel grey, and white. They are shown in six classes (three buck classes and three doe classes): Junior bucks and does under 6 months, Intermediate bucks and does 6-8 months, and Senior bucks and does 8+ months. The weight for show classifications in the ARBA Standard of Perfection is Juniors should be 6 pounds and over, Seniors bucks are to be a minimum of 13 lb and does to be 14 lb, but there is no maximum size and they commonly attain weights of 18–22 lb.
No one knows the exact origins of the Flemish Giant Breed. It is surmised that the during the 16th and 17th century, Dutch Traders may have brought back giant Patagonia Rabbits from the Argentine Republic to Europe. The large rabbits of Flanders were well known at the time and may have been cross bred with the Patagonian. The name Flemish comes from Flanders. But because the Flemish exhibits the same body type and appearance as the Patagonian, it seems obvious that this Giant is descended from the wild Argentine rabbit.
