The Flemish Giant: Meet the World's Biggest Bunnies

Forget everything you thought you knew about rabbits fitting in your hat. The Flemish Giant is a rabbit that could probably wear your hat. These absolute units of the bunny world can tip the scales at over 20 pounds—roughly the weight of a car tire or a small dog—and stretch out to more than 2.5 feet in length.

The Flemish Giant holds the distinction of being recognized as the largest domestic rabbit breed by both the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the British Rabbit Council. The breed standard doesn't even set a maximum weight limit, which is basically the rabbit world's way of saying "the bigger, the better."

Just How Big Can They Get?

While the average Flemish Giant weighs between 15-22 pounds, exceptional individuals have reached truly staggering proportions. The heaviest Flemish Giant on record weighed an astounding 50 pounds. To put that in perspective, that's heavier than many medium-sized dogs and about the same weight as a six-year-old child.

These rabbits don't just pack on weight—they're genuinely long. Most measure between 2.5 to 4 feet from nose to tail, making them longer than the average house cat and about as long as a baseball bat.

The Gentle Giants

Despite their imposing size, Flemish Giants are known for their remarkably docile temperament. Breeders often call them "gentle giants" because they're typically calm, patient, and surprisingly cuddly—assuming you have the arm strength to hold a 20-pound rabbit.

Their laid-back personality makes them popular pets, though prospective owners should be warned: standard rabbit cages won't cut it. These bunnies need space comparable to what you'd provide a medium-sized dog.

Here's what makes caring for a Flemish Giant different from regular rabbits:

• They require specialized housing—think dog crate, not rabbit hutch
• Food bills run higher because, well, there's simply more rabbit to feed
• Their smooth, glossy coats require relatively low maintenance despite their size
• They need plenty of exercise space to prevent obesity and joint problems

A Heavyweight History

The Flemish Giant originated in Belgium (Flanders, specifically—hence the name) and has been documented since the 16th century. Originally bred for meat and fur production, these rabbits were prized for their impressive size and rapid growth rate.

Today, while some are still raised for meat in Europe, Flemish Giants in North America are primarily kept as pets or show animals. They come in seven recognized color varieties, including steel gray, black, blue, fawn, sandy, light gray, and white.

The breed's popularity has inspired spin-offs too. The Continental Giant, developed from Flemish Giant stock, tends to produce even larger individuals and currently holds the Guinness World Record for longest rabbit—a Continental named Darius measured 4 feet 3 inches long.

Whether you're a rabbit enthusiast or just someone who appreciates animals that defy expectations, the Flemish Giant delivers. They're living proof that when it comes to rabbits, bigger can definitely be better—as long as you've got the space and the sturdy furniture to accommodate them.