Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
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).
The Blue of Sint-Niklaas is much heavier, up to 12 lb (5.4 kg), indicating resemblance to the Flemish Giant. After the decrease of pelt-selling and fur industries in the region (and the world) the breed became almost extinct, as it was not popular as a pet or for meat. Only a few European breeders in Belgium and France are left.
Different breeds of rabbit at an exhibition in the Netherlands, 1952. As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of the domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world raised for in the agricultural practice of breeding and raising domestic rabbits as livestock for their value in meat, fur, wool, education, scientific research, entertainment and companionship in cuniculture. [1]
Interestingly, she said the rabbit's size is not uncommon for its breed, a Flemish giant, which are some of the largest rabbits in the world and are often kept as pets.
Around 1902, Bernhard crossed Vienna White and Checkered Giant rabbits with white Flemish Giants, and by 1912 produced what is recognized as the first Blanc de Hotot rabbit. In 1920, a member of the breed appeared in show for the first time at the Exposition Internationale d'Aviculture in Paris, France , and they were officially recognized as a ...
The Flemish Giant breed standard in Britain is only recognised in steel grey colouring and may be somewhat smaller than the European Flemish Giant. Thus the British Giant was bred for a greater variety in colouring and although smaller than continental Flemish rabbits, retain broadly the same characteristics.
The European rabbit is the only rabbit species that has been domesticated and all 305 global rabbit breeds— from Netherland Dwarf to Flemish Giant— are descendants of the European rabbit. Rabbits are an example of an animal that can be treated as a food, a pet, or a pest by different members of the same culture.
Because the novice breeders were unable to turn the lanky rabbit into a production meat breed, by 1902 the flooded market had gone bust. [ 2 ] The first of these American Belgian Hare clubs was known as the "American Belgian Hare Association", but with a wide and scattered membership, it lasted not much more than a year.