There are some bunnies that are cute and cuddly but if you want a more substantial rabbit, then the Checkered Giant Rabbit is a breed to discover.
Long and lean, and still relatively gentle, if you have the space for this species, you’ll be happy with your choice. Plus, their black and white coat is simply striking to see.
What is a Checkered giant rabbit? A Checkered Giant Rabbit is a breed of rabbit. It is known for its short, white fur with black patches. Weighing over 11 pounds, these rabbits need plenty of space to move around. They are independent rabbits who are happy to roam around, and are also affectionate and will cuddle up with you.
Checkered Giant Rabbit History and Origin
The history of Checkered Giant Rabbits is a bit spotted but most people agree that that the breed has taken quite a while to produce their characteristic appearance.
Beginning in 1800, different rabbits were bread together, including French Lops, Flemish Giants, and other spotted rabbits. The result was a breed termed Land Kaninchen.
While the result was a large rabbit, the characteristic black spots didn’t appear until 1904. Then, a German man, Mr. Otto Reinhardt bred the rabbit with black Flemish Giants, which brought about the black spots on the white fur.
Checkered Giant Rabbits are a recognized breed with the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). Interestingly, the ARBA has two categories for this breed, including the typical white with black markings, as well as the rarer white with gray markings.
Characteristics of Checkered Giant Rabbit
Size, weight, shape
As you can guess by their name, Checkered Giant Rabbits are quite large. Expect male rabbits to be at least 11 pounds and females to be at least 12 pounds. It’s not unusual to find rabbits of this breed weighing 13 to 15 pounds.
They are also fairly lean. These rabbits have a muscular build and their body is long with a semi-arched back.
Their legs are very powerful so be careful if they are getting ready to kick out. If they don’t want to be held, Checkered Giant Rabbits will let you know.
As for their face, Checkered Giant Rabbits have a wide head with long ears that usually stand upright.
Colors
Checkered Giant Rabbits have a very unique coat. Their bodies are white and they have black spots on their coats, reminiscent of cows.
Furthermore, their ears and nose are black and they have black eye patches. Their feet are usually white.
Coat
Checkered Giant Rabbits have a coat that is medium-sized in length. Its fur is relatively soft and you will appreciate having the chance to pet this rabbit.
Like mort rabbits, this breed will shed throughout the year and more during the spring and fall. Be sure to groom your rabbit at least once a week; luckily, Checkered Giant Rabbits don’t mind being brushed.
Diet
Checkered Giant Rabbits, like all rabbits, need a nutritious diet. At least 70% of their diet should be good-quality hay and ideally, they have access to this fresh hay at all times of the day.
In addition to hay, you can feed your rabbit crunchy vegetables and the occasional piece of fruit. Choose more nutrient-dense greens, such as kale and swiss chard. While they will eat lettuce, it does not contain many vitamins and minerals.
Carrots are also a good option for rabbits. And, if you’re looking to give your rabbit a treat, try some apple slices. Although apples have a lot of natural sugars in them, a few slices won’t harm your rabbit.
Lifespan
Although they don’t live as long as some rabbit breeds, you can still expect Checkered Giant Rabbits to live between 5 and 8 years. However, with proper care and good genetics, some rabbits can live to be 10 years old.
Behavior
Checkered Giant Rabbits like to move. Their large size and lean frame mean they are not content to just sit around.
While you can certainly set up an indoor area for them, if you can, be sure to construct an outdoor space as well. Set up a fenced-off area for your Checkered Giant Rabbit to explore. They are quite intelligent, so provide some toys and maybe even a small obstacle course.
Temperament
While they may not be as cuddly as other species of rabbits, Checkered Giants are still quite happy to be held. In fact, they have a nice balance between wanting to be held and being independent.
Checkered Giant Rabbits are great for just about anyone. They do well with adults and older people, and are even fine around children.
The one factor to take into consideration is that they need to be held with enough support. Therefore, small children may not be suitable for this rabbit breed as it can be hard to hold them properly.
One final note on temperament is that Checkered Giant Rabbits can become frightened or just need their own time. Get used to their movements and if your rabbit is trying to tell you they need alone time, be sure to grant it to them. If not, your rabbit could lash out and bite you as a warning.
Checkered Giant Rabbit Care
The biggest aspect when it comes to caring for your Checkered Giant Rabbit is that they are large animals and therefore need enough space to move around. Smaller, regular-sized rabbit cages will not be big enough.
You will want to find a cage that is at least 3 x 3 x 4 feet in size. Furthermore, if you aren’t home a lot, then you should also construct a run area for your rabbit to move around in.
When constructing any rabbit cage, make sure that the bottom is made of either metal or plastic. A wire construction will poke into a rabbit, making it very uncomfortable.
With any cage, make sure it is comfortable for your rabbit. Add a clean layer of hay to the bottom and be sure to clean any feces daily. Moreover, every week you should clean out the cage completely and replace the hay.
Checkered Giant Rabbits do well both inside and outside. However, if you do leave them outside be sure to monitor the weather and the seasons. If it is too cold, be sure to move your rabbit inside over winter. Also, include a sheltered area to its habitat to protect your rabbit from wind, rain, and sun.
Checkered Giant Rabbit Health
Unlike other breeds of rabbits, Checkered Giant Rabbits don’t have any specific health problems. However, there are some common issues to be aware of.
Be sure to check the ears of your Checkered Giant Rabbit for ear mites. The good news is that this parasite is common and easily treatable. Look for signs of your rabbit shaking their head a lot or pawing at their ears.
Another common health issue in rabbits is when their digestive system slows down, also known as GI Stasis. Monitor your rabbit for signs that include a lack of appetite or no feces. If these occur, be sure to take your rabbit to your vet right away.
Thanks to its shorter coat, Checkered Giant Rabbits are pretty good at grooming themselves. However, if they groom too often, or their coat is too furry, that hair can becomes stuck in their stomach, leading to a lot of digestive issues.
You can help your Checkered Giant Rabbit out by regularly brushing them. Aim to brush them at least once a week to be rid of any loose hair.
Add extra grooming in the spring and fall. This is when your rabbit will transition from a thick, winter coat to a thin, summer coat, and vice versa. When this process happens, more fur will fall out. Grooming also prevents fur from accumulating in your own home.
Finally, remember that your rabbit’s teeth will continue to grow. In order to grind them down so they don’t poke into their gums or lips, provide your rabbit with plenty of fresh hay.
You can also check to see if your rabbit’s teeth are properly aligned. If they are not, they can cause injury to themselves and wear their teeth down.
Where to Get Checkered Giant Rabbit Breed
If you are ready to bring a Checkered Giant Rabbit into your home, the next step is to find a reputable breeder. Check with your veterinarian or look online for breeders in your area.
Be sure to make sure the breeder has plenty of references and a trusted history of breeding rabbits. These rabbits will cost between $50 and $80. However, if you are interested in a show-quality breed, you may have to pay up to double the amount.
For those that want to breed Checkered Giant Rabbits, this is a good breed to start with. They produce litters of 11 to 13 rabbits. Furthermore, their rare appearance makes them a novelty for others wanting to purchase different rabbits.
Conclusion
Checkered Giant Rabbits are quite unique. Weighing at least 11 pounds and with a long, lean body, this rabbit needs plenty of space to move around. However, they are quite affectionate and do well with most people.
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