Cute and cuddly, there are around 300 recognized breeds of rabbit worldwide – from floppy eared to straight eared, long hair and short, there is something for everyone. But just how big can rabbits get? Well, the answer is around the same size as a medium-sized dog. So, with that in mind, which breeds are you likely to find those giants in? Dive in to discover the 10 largest rabbits in the world as measured by weight!
#10: English Lop
First on our list is the English Lop, which is a breed that was first bred in England in the nineteenth century and is best known for its large, floppy ears and friendly personality. Thought to be one of the oldest breeds of domestic rabbit, the English Lop can grow to around 5.5kg (12 lbs). They can be a variety of colors, both solid (black, blue, and fawn) and with white patches. They are often known to be quite a lazy breed which, combined with their curious but friendly nature, makes them excellent pets for children. However, due to their large floppy ears, they can be prone to ear problems and therefore require regular checks to ensure their health.
#9: Giant Papillon
Originating in France, the Giant Papillon is also known as the Checkered Giant and usually weighs between 5 and 6 kilos (up to 13 pounds). They were originally bred from Flemish Giants and spotted rabbits in the late nineteenth century. This is a short-haired breed that is most notable for its soft white coat with black patches and straight black ears. They have a gentle nature, but they are often active and energetic and require a lot of exercise to keep them entertained.
#8: Chinchilla
Reaching a weight of around 6kg (13 lbs), Chinchilla rabbits are a large breed that originated in France before it was introduced to the US in 1919 where the American Chinchilla rabbit was developed. Despite the similarities in the name, Chinchilla rabbits are not actually related to chinchillas. Famed for their soft silver-grey coat with a white belly, these rabbits are easily distinguished from other breeds. Although they were originally bred for meat, nowadays Chinchillas make excellent pets so long as they are handled gently.
#7 French Lop
Easily able to reach a weight of 6kg (13 lbs), the French lop is actually a cross between the English lop and a French Butterfly. They were first bred in the 1850s in France as a meat rabbit and have a thick-set, heavy body with floppy ears and short fur that can be a variety of colors. Although they are often used for showing nowadays, they do make good pets and get along well with other animals. However, they can sometimes be hard to handle because of their size and so are generally not recommended for first-time rabbit keepers.
#6: Hungarian Giant
The Hungarian Giant is a breed of rabbit that was developed more than two hundred years ago by breeding commercial meat rabbits with wild rabbits. They were first known as Hungarian Agouti due to their color until more colors were introduced and the name was then changed. They generally weigh around 6kg (13 lbs) and have large straight ears and, although they can now be found in a variety of colors, agouti is still the predominant color of the breed. Nowadays, they are used more for showing than for their meat.
#5: Blanc de Bouscat
These stunning white rabbits originated in Bouscat in France in 1906, and as its relatives were French Angoras it has one of the silkiest coats that can be found on any rabbit today. Technically albinos, these rabbits have pink eyes and are never found in any colour other than white. Growing to a weight of more than 6kg (13 lbs), Blanc de Bouscat’s are easily one of the largest rabbits around. With a calm and affectionate nature, they are gentle giants that make excellent pets. They remain relatively unknown across the rest of the world and are considered an at risk breed in their native France.
#4: British Giant
A relative of the Flemish Giant, the British Giant is one of the biggest breeds of rabbit in the UK, weighing between 6 and 7 kilos (up to 15 pounds). Originating in the UK in the 1940s the British Giant has straight ears and medium-length fur that can be a variety of different colours, including black, white, blue, and grey. The British Giant is a particularly calm and docile breed that make excellent pets, including for children.
#3: Spanish Giant
Weighing around 7kg, the Spanish Giant puts up a good fight for the top spot on our list. It was originally bred by crossing the Flemish Giant with other large Spanish rabbits, and the result is a huge, friendly bunny that is quite often the size of a small lamb. They have long, straight ears and can be found in several different colours, with their coats being short and extremely thick. Their docile nature makes them excellent pets, although due to their massive size they do need plenty of room to exercise.
#2: Continental Giant
Often considered to be one of the largest rabbits around, the Continental Giant is a massive rabbit that weighs more than 7 kilos (15 pounds) and can reach around three feet in length. Sometimes known as the German Giant, these rabbits have a lifespan of around five years and can be found in a wide variety of colors, including colors broken with white patches. Their coats can be extremely thick and grows to around 4cm (1.6 inches) long. Due to their large size and muscular body, they were originally bred for meat, but nowadays they are usually only pets. Continental Giants get on well with other animals such as cats and dogs, and their docile nature makes them a great choice as a pet.
#1: Flemish Giant
Often weighing in at more than 8 kilos (18 lbs), the Flemish Giant is easily the largest rabbit breed in the world. Originally bred in Flanders for fur and meat, the Flemish Giant has very large, straight ears and a dense coat that can be several different colors, including black, white, blue, fawn, and grey. They are fully grown by a year and a half old and, despite their size, these colossal rabbits are really just gentle giants as they have a particularly calm nature that makes them fabulous pets for anyone who has got the room to accommodate them. These massive rabbits have been the founder of many of the other giant breeds, including the Spanish Giant and the British Giant, but they still manage to hold onto their top spot as the biggest bunny around.
Bonus: Meet Darius, the World’s Largest Rabbit
While our list above counted down the largest rabbit breeds, the title of the largest individual rabbit on Earth belongs to Darius, a Continental Giant that weighs more than 50 pounds and measures more than four feet in length! Darius was bred in England by a breeder who produces extremely large Continental Giants. Unfortunately, on April 11, 2021, Darius was reported missing and is believed to have been stolen. Darius has fathered several offspring that are near his size, meaning whether he’s ever returned, his record as the largest rabbit in the world likely won’t last long!
Summary
Rabbits can be wonderful pets. They are cute, cuddly, and intelligent. Just be careful to keep them away from wire or woodwork that you don’t want gnawed on. As for size, there is a rabbit of every size out there and if you like the larger breeds, these are the top ten:
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