| About a Flemish Giant | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 23 2011, 07:17 PM (219 Views) | |
| Flopsy | Feb 23 2011, 07:17 PM Post #1 |
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History The Flemish Giant is a very old breed from the Flemish region, and was already bred in the 16th century around the city of Ghent, Belgium. It descended from a number of meat and fur breeds, possibly including the Steenkonijn (Stone Rabbit - referring to the old Belgian weight size of one 'stone' or 3,5 kg) and the European "patagonian" breed (now extinct). This 'Patagonian' rabbit was a large landrace breed that was once bred in Belgium and France. It has nothing to do with the Patagonian rabbit of Argentina (Sylvilagus brasiliensis) which weighs less than two pounds (about 1 kg), nor the Patagonian hare (Dolichotis patagonum), which is a variety of rodent (classified as a Cavy) and thus cannot interbreed with domesticated rabbits. The first standards for the breed were written in 1893. The Flemish Giant is an ancestor of many rabbit breeds all over the world. One of them is the Belgian Hare that was imported into England in the middle 19th century. The Flemish Giant was imported from England and Belgium to America in the early 1890s. It received no special attention until about 1910 where it started appearing at small livestock shows throughout the country. Today, it is one of the more popular breeds at rabbit shows because of its enormous size and its many colors. It is promoted by the National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders which was formed in 1916. Appearance As one of the largest breeds of domestic rabbit, the Flemish Giant is a semi-arch type rabbit with its back arch starting back of the shoulders and carrying through to the base of the tail giving a "mandolin" shape. The body of a Flemish Giant Rabbit is long and powerful with good muscular development and relatively broad hindquarters. Bucks have a broad, massive head in comparison to does. Does may have a large, full, evenly carried dewlap (the fold of skin under their chins). The fur of the Flemish Giant is known to be glossy and dense, and when stroked from the hindquarters to the head, the fur will roll back to its original position. ARBA standard has seven different colors, black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray 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 minimum show weight for a Senior (older than 8 months) doe is 14 lbs (about 6.4 kg), and the minimum weight of a Senior buck is 13 lbs (about 5.9 kg)(ARBA Standards of Perfection). As with other "giant" breeds, the Flemish Giant grows slowly. A senior doe can take 1 year to reach full maturity. A senior buck can take 1.5 years to reach full maturity. It is not unusual to see a 10 kilo (22 pound) Flemish Giant, and specimens weighing 13 kilos (28 pounds) have been reported. Behavior & Lifestyle Flemish Giants are known to be quite placid and laid-back, and as a result, they are known to be docile and tolerant of considerable handling, but could become fearful if handled incorrectly or irresponsibly, and for this reason it is generally recommended that it be under the care of an experienced or mature owner. Due to its large size, the Flemish needs a large space to roam around. The House Rabbit Society, an international nonprofit rabbit rescue organization, recommends keeping the rabbit inside the home; in a very large pen or room(s) in the home. Rabbits instinctively go to the bathroom in a certain area of their living space, and thus are easily litter trained. Rabbits using litter boxes may safely have run of the home, provided adequate protections are in place for safety. The Flemish Giant will require more food compared to other breeds of domestic rabbit (many cups per day). Unlike other breeds, the Flemish Giant will only require mild attention to grooming due to its short-hair. It sheds its coat in Spring and Fall. Source |
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4:13 AM May 21
