The Largest Rabbits in the World

Rabbits are well known for being excellent pets, especially for children, as they can live either indoors or outdoors and are easily tamed. Rabbits are easy to litter train, just like cats. Cute and cuddly, there are around 300 recognized breeds of rabbit worldwide — from floppy-eared to straight-eared, long hair and short, there is something for everyone. However, just how big can rabbits get? Dive in to discover the largest rabbits in the world as measured by weight!

#9: English Lop

First on our list is the English lop, which was first bred in England in the nineteenth century. It is best known for its large, floppy ears and friendly personality. Thought to be one of the oldest breeds of domestic rabbits, the English lop can grow to around 12 pounds. They can come in a variety of colors, including solid black, blue, and fawn. They can also have white patches.  

English lops are known to be quite lazy with curious but friendly natures, making them excellent pets for children. However, due to their large floppy ears, they can be prone to ear problems. Therefore, they require regular checks to ensure they remain in good health.

#8: Giant Papillon

Originating in France, the giant Papillon is also known as the checkered giant. It’s a fitting name for a rabbit that can weigh up to 13 pounds. They were originally bred from Flemish giants and spotted rabbits in the late nineteenth century.

This is a short-haired breed that is most notable for its soft white coat with black patches. They are also known for their straight black ears. Giant Papillons have a gentle nature, but they are energetic and require a lot of exercise to keep them entertained.

#7: Chinchilla

Reaching a weight of around 13 pounds, chinchilla rabbits are a large breed that originated in France. They were introduced to the US in 1919 where the American chinchilla rabbit was developed. Despite the similarities in the name, chinchilla rabbits are not actually related to chinchillas.  

Famed for their soft silver-grey coats and white bellies, these rabbits are easily distinguished from other breeds. Although they were originally bred for meat, nowadays chinchilla rabbits make excellent pets so long as they are handled gently.

#6: Blanc de Bouscat

These stunning white rabbits originated in Bouscat, France in 1906. As their relatives were French angoras, they have some of the silkiest coats that can be found on any rabbit today. Technically albinos, these rabbits have pink eyes and are never found in any color other than white.  

Growing to a weight of up to 14 pounds, Blanc de Bouscats are easily one of the largest rabbits around. With a calm and affectionate nature, they are gentle giants that make excellent pets. They remain relatively unknown across the rest of the world and are considered an at-risk breed in their native France.

#5: French Lop

Able to reach a weight of 15 pounds, the French lop is actually a cross between the English lop and a French butterfly. They were first bred in France in the 1850s as a meat rabbit. They have a thick-set, heavy body with floppy ears and short fur that can be a variety of colors.

Although they are often used for showing nowadays, they make good pets and get along well with other animals. However, they can sometimes be hard to handle because of their size. So they are generally not recommended for first-time rabbit keepers.

#4: British Giant

A relative of the Flemish giant, the British giant is one of the biggest breeds of rabbit in the U.K. They can weigh up to 15 pounds. As the name implies, the British giant originated in the U.K. in the 1940s.

The British giant has straight ears and medium-length fur that can be a variety of different colors, including black, white, blue, and grey. The British giant is a particularly calm and docile breed. This makes them excellent pets, especially for children.

#3: Spanish Giant

Weighing around 15 pounds, the Spanish giant puts up a good fight for a top spot on our list. It was originally bred by crossing the Flemish giant with other large Spanish rabbits, and the result is a huge, friendly bunny that is quite often the size of a small lamb.

Spanish giants have long, straight ears and can be found in several different colors. Their coats are short and extremely thick. Their docile nature makes them excellent pets, although due to their massive size, they do need plenty of room to exercise.

#2: Continental Giant

The Continental giant is a massive rabbit that weighs as much as 25 pounds. They can grow to around three feet in length. Sometimes known as the German giant, these rabbits have a lifespan of around five years and can be found in a wide variety of colors, including solid colors broken up with white patches.

Their coats are extremely thick and grow to around 1.6 inches long. Due to their large size and muscular body, they were originally bred for meat. Nowadays they are usually only pets. Continental giants get along well with other animals and their gentle natures make them a great choice as a pet.

#1: Flemish Giant

The Flemish giant is considered to be the largest rabbit breed in the world. They can grow from 2.5-4 feet in length. They typically weigh around 20-22 pounds, but the largest can weigh as much as 50 pounds. Originally bred in Flanders for fur and meat, the Flemish giant has very large, straight ears and a dense coat that can be several different colors, including black, white, blue, fawn, and grey.

They are fully grown by a year and a half old and, despite their size, these colossal rabbits are really just gentle giants. They have a particularly calm nature that makes them fabulous pets for anyone who has the room to accommodate them. These massive rabbits have been the founder of many of the other giant breeds, but they still manage to hold onto their top spot as the biggest bunny around.