Flemish Giant rabbit

[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.

[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.

[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.

Flemish 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.

[9] Flemish Giants are the second-oldest domesticated rabbit breed in the United States, following behind the now rare Belgian Hare.