The obvious factor found in this rabbit breed is that it is extremely large, but how large is it? Is it really the breed of the heaviest rabbit in the world? Find out with all of the information behind this breed, and if it really is the largest (heaviest) rabbit breed in the world.

The History Behind the Continental Giant Rabbit:

This rabbit, being one of the oldest, and largest of rabbits, is the Continental Giant. This rabbit is known to date back to the 16th century, that’s the 1500’s! Many of these rabbits that were dated back showed signs of relations to other breeds, like the Flemish Giant and the Belgian Hare rabbit breeds. Even though this information had all been found, the standards for this breed didn’t come through until 1893.

In the late 1800’s, both the Flemish Giants and Belgian Hares were being shipped to the United States, Europe, and Britain, all in an effort to make this rabbit breed larger. Because these rabbits were so large from the changes, they were used in the meat industry, and incorporated in livestock shows as small livestock.

The two varieties of this breed include the White and Colored Continentals, which are not accepted by the ARBA, also known as the American Rabbit Breeders’ Association, but instead by the British Rabbit Council.

Common Characteristics Found in This Breed:

This breed is known for its stocky body from the changes to make this breed larger. The shoulders of this rabbit are meant to be large and bulky, very much like the rest of its body.

Male Continentals are meant to have a more rounded and chubbier face and head than female Continentals. Despite the differences of the overall head shape, both the males and females should have ears that are about a quarter of the length of their body, they should have well rounded cheeks, and both male and female Continentals should have round, wide, and clear looking eyes.

As for the coat of Continentals, they will have dense, soft, and thick fur, with a very thick and fluffy undercoat. The colors of the coat can vary, but the most well known colors are light/medium grey (light and steel grey), fawn, sandy (light brown), black, and white (not albino).

Common Personalities of the Continental Giant:

Like almost every other gigantic rabbit like this, this breed is known for its amazingly docile and friendly nature. Even though this rabbit is very friendly and calm, this rabbit is best suited for owners willing to spend time, space, and money keeping this rabbit healthy. More to a rabbit, more work.

With this being said, giving plenty of space is important for any breed, but especially this one. Continentals are also very sociable and playful, so giving entertainment and playtime constantly is important, which means free-roaming this rabbit would be the best bet.

Sizing and Weight:

As you could probably tell right away, this rabbit breed is one of the multiple giant rabbit breeds. Not only is this rabbit very long, this rabbit is very rounded and stocky, so if you want a dog in a rabbit’s form, here you go. This rabbit was built to be pure muscle, so taking in the fact that this rabbit is extremely strong is important for when handling comes into play. The great aspect of handling this breed of rabbit is how particularly calm this rabbit is in almost every situation.

The weight of this rabbit breed is absolutely tremendous. Most Continental Giants average the weight of 13 to 35 pounds, but come Continentals can weigh even more! The heaviest rabbit in the world is currently a Continental Giant, by the name of Ralph, that weights just under 55 pounds!

Common Medical Problems:

The most common problem found in this breed that is relatable to any rabbit would be sore hocks. I do understand that any rabbit could end up with sore hocks, but with the unbelievable weight that this rabbit has to carry, puts plenty of pressure on the rabbit’s hocks. This is why free roaming this rabbit is so important, it allows that rabbit to move more, and stay as healthy as possible.

Extra Care:

There aren’t exactly any actions that I would consider as extra care for this rabbit, but I would like to note that keeping this rabbit on an amazing diet of fibrous hay, leafy greens, and pellets (by preference) is very important to this rabbit’s vital health, just like every other rabbit breed.

Giving the exercise time is very vital as well, and is recommended for any other rabbit breed as well. Even though there is more work to owning a larger rabbit, every other rabbit still requires exercise, an awesome diet, love, attention, and care.

Works Cited:

“Continental Giant Rabbit Breed Information and Pictures.” PetGuide, 31 Jan. 2019,                     www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/continental-giant-rabbit/.

Organization. “World’s Largest Rabbit Has Crazy Diet.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 3 Apr. 2013,              www.huffpost.com/entry/ralph-worlds-largest-bunny-rabbit_n_3006487.

Sources:

Link to Thumbnail Image (All credit goes to the photographer and owner of this photo)

I would like to address the fact that the rabbit in the thumbnail isn’t the heaviest rabbit (Rufus). This was just a picture found online.

 

Thank you so much for coming for this post. I can’t be the only one who is so incredibly impressed with how large this rabbit breed is. By the way, for anyone who expected clickbait, that’s not what I do, I hate it, and if you want the proof, check out the second site cited under my works cited tab. Please come back every other day for a new post, and I will talk to you soon in my next post, bye!