The Biggest Rabbit Breeds: What Are the Giant Rabbits?

Rabbit enthusiasts often seek out the smallest and most adorable breeds, but the gentle giants of the rabbit world come with their own unique appeal. The largest rabbit breeds not only boast impressive size but also tend to have calm and affectionate temperaments, making them wonderful pets, if you have the space to accommodate them. These bunnies come in a variety of breeds each with distinct characteristics and care requirements—key aspects to consider before deciding to bring one home.

Before going off and trying to find a new rabbit from one of the breed I’ll mention in this article, I urge you to check your local animal shelter first. In general, people tend to gravitate toward the smaller rabbits, so I’ve seen so many large rabbits with gentle personalities get overlooked. This inadvertently leads to larger bunnies spending more time waiting for a forever home. 

If your heart is set on adopting a giant rabbit, consider visiting your local animal shelter. I regularly volunteer with rescue rabbits and large breeds that I definitely see in the animal shelter include Californian Rabbits, Blanc de Hotot Rabbits, Rex Rabbits, New Zealand, a couple of Flemish Giants, and plenty of other large rabbits who’s breed I couldn’t identify.

• More about how to care for large rabbit breeds

Rabbit breeds that can weigh 15 pounds (or more)

Even though rabbits are popularly categorized as being fairly small pets, that is not always the case. Not only is it quite common for rabbits to reach 6 to 8 pounds as adults, the largest rabbit breeds can actually exceed 15 pounds regularly. That is bigger than many cats and even a lot of species of dogs.

The largest rabbit breeds known today include:

• Flemish Giant: Arguably the most well-known of the giant breeds, the Flemish Giant can tip the scales at over 15 pounds, with some individuals reaching up to 20 pounds or more. Their gentle nature belies their massive size, earning them the nickname “gentle giants.” 
• French Lop: This breed is not just large in weight but also in ear length! The French Lop can easily weigh over 15 pounds, and they are as friendly as they are hefty. Their distinct lop ears fall below the jaw and add to their charming appearance.
• Giant Chinchilla: Stemming from the Chinchilla rabbits, which are much smaller, the Giant Chinchilla can achieve weights of up to 16 pounds. They have a beautiful, dense coat that is soft to the touch, resembling their namesake, the chinchilla.
• Checkered Giant: Despite their name, Checkered Giants do not typically reach the same weight levels as the Flemish Giant or the French Lop, but some individuals of this breed can surpass the 15-pound mark. They are easily recognizable by their distinctive coat pattern.
• New Zealand: Typically, New Zealand rabbits weigh around 10 pounds, but it’s not unheard of for some to reach 15 pounds, especially when well-fed and cared for.

Other rabbit breeds that can reach 10 pounds (or more)

Even though there are only a few rabbit breeds that have been known to reach 15 pounds (or more), there are actually a couple dozen rabbit breeds that can reach a maximum weight of over 10 pounds. I don’t know about you, but 10 pounds is way bigger than what I think of as a typical rabbit.

It’s also worth noting that the breeds listed below don’t always reach an adult weight of over 10 pounds. Most of these rabbit breeds have an expected weight range from around 8 to 12 pounds. So, the size of any single rabbit can vary.

• American: This breed is generally on the larger side, weighing over 10 pounds. They’re known for their lovely blue and white coat colors.
• American Chinchilla: Larger than their name might suggest, these rabbits possess a beautiful chinchilla-like fur and often tip the scales at more than 12 pounds.
• American Sable: While slightly on the lighter side, these rabbits can sometimes push past the 10-pound mark. Their dark sepia fur is quite striking.
• Argente Brun: You’ll find this breed particularly attractive with its unique silver color. They can easily reach and sometimes exceed 10 pounds.
• Beveren: Known for their lush blue, white, or black fur, Beverens are not only beautiful but can weigh well over 10 pounds.
• Blanc de Hotot: Distinguished by their pure white coats and eye-catching black eyeliner, they often weigh around 11 pounds.
• Californian: With distinct dark markings around their nose, ears, and feet, Californians frequently weigh in at around 10 to 12 pounds.
• Champagne d’Argent: One of the oldest known rabbit breeds, they have a luxurious silver coat and can often surpass the 12-pound mark.
• Cinnamon: As the name suggests, this breed has a warm, cinnamon-colored coat, with adults sometimes reaching 11 pounds.
• Creme d’Argent: They carry a dense, creamy coat and typically weigh about 10 pounds.
• English Lop: Notable for their extraordinary long ears, the English Lop is also quite sizable, often weighing more than 10 pounds.
• French Angora: The French Angora is beloved for its wool and substantial body, sometimes reaching weights of over 10 pounds.
• Giant Angora: True to their name, Giant Angoras are the largest of all angora varieties and can weigh significantly more than 10 pounds.
• Palomino: These rabbits come in lynx and golden colors and can sometimes exceed the 10-pound weight class.
• Rex: With its velvety fur, the Rex is a medium-to-large breed that can sometimes cross the 10-pound threshold.
• Rhinelander: Displaying a unique color pattern, Rhinelanders are not just eye-catching but larger rabbits in this breed can also weigh over 10 pounds.
• Satin: Satins are known for their shimmering coat and can also achieve weights over 10 pounds occasionally.
• Silver Fox: One of the few breeds that boast a fur similar to the fur of arctic foxes, Silver Fox rabbits are generally quite large and heavy.

Are giant rabbits harder to care for than smaller breeds?

Giant rabbit breeds, such as the Flemish Giant, require specific care differing from that of their smaller counterparts. Your giant rabbit’s diet must be carefully managed, as they need more food but also may be prone to obesity if not regulated. 

Their larger size also necessitates a spacious living area that allows them to move freely, preventing muscle and joint problems. In general, I recommend free-roaming large rabbits (similar to how dogs and cats live with us), or at least giving them a habitat made with 2 or more pet exercise pens.

Larger rabbits also have greater susceptibility to certain health conditions like sore hocks (sores on the bottom their feet) and cardiovascular problems (especially in the heat). So you want to be sure to closely monitor their health as well. Regular check-ups with your rabbit veterinarian will ensure that any health issues related to their size are promptly addressed.