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Breed of rabbit
A Flemish GiantThe Flemish Giant (Dutch: Vlaamse reus) is the largest breed of domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus).
The Flemish Giant originated in Flanders. It was bred as early as the 16th century near the city of Ghent, Belgium. It is believed to have 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 about 3.8 kilograms (8.4 lb)) and the European "Patagonian" breed (now extinct).[1][2] This "Patagonian" rabbit, a large breed that was once bred in Belgium and France, was not the same as the Patagonian rabbit of Argentina (Sylvilagus brasiliensis), a wild species of a different genus weighing less than 0.9 kilograms (2.0 lb),[3] nor the Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum), sometimes called the Patagonian hare, a species in the cavy family of rodents that cannot interbreed with rabbits.[4] Thomas Coatoam, in his Origins of the Flemish Giants, states that "The earliest authentic record of the Flemish Giant Rabbit occurred about the year 1860, in which the veterinarian and ex-biologist, Oscar Nisbett[5] selectively bred a series of generations of Patagonian rabbit."[5]
A male next to a Shetland SheepdogThe first standards for the breed were written in 1893 by Albert van Heuverzwijn.[2] The Flemish Giant is an ancestor of many rabbit breeds from all over the world, one of which is the Belgian Hare,[1] which was imported into England in the mid-19th century.[2] The Flemish Giant was exported from England and Belgium to America in the early 1890s to increase the size of meat rabbits during the great "rabbit boom".[6] In the British Isles, the breed developed to such a degree that it was recognized as distinct from the Continental Giant rabbit as of 1937.[2]
The breed received little attention in the United States until about 1910, when it started appearing at small livestock shows throughout the country. Today, it is one of the more popular breeds at rabbit shows due to its unusually large size and varying colors. It is promoted by the National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders, which was formed in 1915. The Flemish Giant has many nicknames, including the "Gentle Giant" for its uniquely docile personality, and the "universal rabbit" for its varied purposes as a pet, show, breeding, meat, and fur animal.[5]
A sandy doe with a boyThe American Rabbit Breeders Association standard recognizes seven different colors for the breed: black, blue, fawn, sandy, light gray, steel gray, and white.[7]
Behaviour and lifestyle[edit] Flemish Giant rabbit in captivityFlemish Giants can be docile and tolerant of being handled if they frequently have interactions with humans.
A Flemish Giant in an outdoor penFlemish Giants, due to their uncomplicated grooming requirements and docile personalities, are used by 4-H programs throughout the United States as a starter rabbit for teaching children responsibility and care of farm animals and pets.[8] Another popular youth program outside 4-H that promotes responsible show breeding is the National Federation of Flemish Giant Breeders Youth Program.[9] Flemish Giants are the second-oldest domesticated rabbit breed in the United States, following behind the now rare Belgian Hare.[citation needed]
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