Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Leonard Harper
The Checkered Giant Rabbit in our opinion is one of the more beautiful rabbit breeds out there. To us, it is a shame that it isn’t all that popular. Although, one would imagine that the size of the rabbit (and the fairly short lifespan in comparison to some other breeds) would have an impact on this.
Let’s take a closer look at this ‘More Like a Dog Than a Rabbit’ breed , shall we?
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The Origins of the Checkered Giant Rabbit
Nobody really knows where there Checkered Giant Rabbit originates from. Most people would claim that it came from Germany in the 1800s. It is likely the result of breeding the black Flemish Giant.
What we do know, however, is that the rabbit first started to appear in the United States in the early 1900s. At the moment, there are two variants of the Checkered Giant Rabbit recognized in the United States but, oddly enough, it is not recognized as a separate breed in the United Kingdom.
Lifespan
Part of the reason as to why the Checkered Giant Rabbit isn’t so popular nowadays is down to the shorter lifespan in comparison to some rabbits. With many rabbits, you will be getting somewhere between 7 and 10 years.
Whereas, the size of the Checkered Giant means that it is closer to four or five.
Obviously, you will have a fantastic time raising the animal in that time period. The Checkered Giant is a beautiful creature, but many people do not want rabbits with such a short lifespan as pet, as sad as it may seem.
The Look of the Rabbit
This is a larger rabbit. The overall body shape is going to be comparable to that of a hair.
The Checkered Giant is a muscular breed. One of the amazing things about this rabbit is the markings. Many of the markings that you find on the Checkered Giant are fixed.
They always appear on these rabbits. This means around the eyes and below the eyes, as well as a few on the back. The other markings are a bit more ‘random’, but even then, they seem to be in roughly the same position on all of these rabbits, it is just the shape which seems to differ.
This is one of only a few rabbits that has this. Most have random markings. This is part of the reason why we find this rabbit breed so beautiful. The random markings really help to add a touch of grandeur to the creature.
The fur is going to be fairly soft. This makes it a great rabbit to pet. The fur is also going to be bit on the shortish side. This can make them easier to brush.
Although, do bear in mind that they are still going to molt fairly often. The little hairs that they are molting can be particularly difficult to pick up too! You will need to brush your Checkered Giant regularly if you do not want hairs everywhere. They are going to be molting a couple of times per year.
As said earlier, there are two variants of the Checkered Giant Rabbit recognized in the United States by ARBA:
- Black with white with black markings,
- Blue with white with gray markings
Checkered Giant Rabbit Weight
According to the ARBA a show quality female Checkered Giant weighs minimum 12 lb (5.4 kg), while Checkered Giant male would be 11 lb (5.0 kg). However, thye do not specify a maximum weight for Checkered Giant rabbits.
The Personality
The Checkered Giant Rabbit is a breed that loves to be left to its own devices. It is going to want a cuddle every now and then, but it is going to be fine without one. You aren’t going to need to give it constant attention. People love that. That being said, this isn’t an aggressive rabbit. It does make a good breed for families, but if you want a rabbit that is going to be fine with you touching it all of the time, then this one isn’t that.
Looking after your rabbit
You are going to need to have a sizeable amount of space available for your rabbit. It is a larger breed, after all.
Because the coat of this rabbit is quite short, it is going to be doing a whole lot better indoors than outdoors. If you must keep your rabbit outdoors, then you need to do everything possible to ensure that it is fully protected during the winter months of the year. Check our review for the best rabbit hutches for indoor and outdoor use.
They are playful and active sometimes but mostly all about snuggling and snoozing.
This is a rabbit which, honestly, is going to do a lot better having free roam of a house. It may be a bit too big for some apartments, and the rabbit can get bored rather easily. It does love to run outside in a larger rabbit run too!
Checkered Giant Rabbit For sale
We encourage you to get your rabbit from a reputable rabbitry and reputable breeder, as you will have a better idea of the temperament and any health problems that may arise.
In the lists below you will surely find Checkered Giant Rabbit for sale near you, just scroll down thru the lists to find your state:
- Checkered Giant Rabbit for sale list – Official American Rabbit Breeders Association.
- Checkered Giant Rabbit for sale near you – Breeders for each individual US State.
- Checkered Giant Rabbit Breeders – American Checkered Giant Rabbit Club
Leo, a novice urban farmer and avid writer hailing from Chicago, Illinois, finds his joy and inspiration in the company of rabbits. His affection for these cuddly creatures started when he was gifted a Mini Rex, named Poe, on his 18th birthday. Poe soon became a source of comfort, companionship, and surprisingly, creative inspiration. He soon expanded his brood to include three more rabbits of different breeds, each with their own engaging tale.