The Checkered Giant rabbit’s origin is still a point of contention today. However, it is widely speculated that they originated in Europe due to crossbreeding of French Lops, spotted rabbits, and Flemish Giants. The American Rabbits Breeders Association recognizes the breed, which initially arrived in the United States in 1910.
What distinguishes the Checkered Giant rabbit from other rabbit breeds? What kind of care do you provide your Checkered Giant rabbit?
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about caring for Checkered Giant Rabbits. We examine their nutritional and housing requirements and typical illness and diseases to be cautious of. We also provide the answers to your breed-related questions.
Overall Description
- Size: Giant
- Weight: 11-13 pounds
- Lifespan: 5-6 years
The Checkered Giant has a long, hare-like form with a semi-arched, mandolin body type and a thin yet strong frame. They have strong, muscular legs, a large head, and big ears that should be held erect most of the time.
The Checkered Giant Rabbit is one of several rabbit breeds with distinctive patterns on their coats. The markings used to determine this breed’s breed standard differ from those used to create the Giant Papillon’s breeding standard.
According to ARBA, an adult Checkered Giant buck must weigh at least eleven pounds, and an adult doe must weigh at least twelve pounds to be eligible for the show. Checkered gigantic rabbits do not have a maximum weight limit.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association, or ARBA, recognizes it as one of the biggest rabbit breeds. On the other hand, the Checkered Giant is not recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC), which only acknowledges the Giant Papillon.
Coat and Color
The silky coat of the Checkered Giant rabbit is short to medium in length. This coat is effortless to keep clean. The ARBA has specific standards for the Checkered gigantic rabbit when it comes to color.
The ARBA only accepts white rabbits with black or blue markings on their noses that resemble a butterfly. On each side of the rabbit’s body, there must be two black or blue patches. From the base of their ears to the tail, they must have black or blue stripes running down their spine.
Checkered giants come in two varieties. The Black, a white rabbit with black markings, and the Blue, a white rabbit with gray markings, are the two types.
Temperament
Although the Checkered Giant is not as cuddly as other breeds, they like inspecting their enclosures since they are curious, friendly, and quiet. This breed also appreciates human connection, particularly when being lavishly cared for during a show.
This breed will follow its owners around after it has learned who they are, making them gentle and quiet companions. It will appeal to singles and the elderly, but its enormous size prevents it from being carried by small children.
How to Care For a Checkered Giant
If you’re looking for a Checkered Giant Rabbit, consider yourself lucky. This is a large rabbit breed with a laid-back demeanor and a reputation for being one of the simplest to care for.
Taking care of a Checkered Giant is similar to taking care of other rabbit breeds. It would help if you gave the proper feed, housing or enclosure, and medical treatment for your rabbit, and you should have at least two or three rabbit friends.
Diet and Nutrition
Hay is an essential component of a rabbit’s daily diet. Aside from rabbit pellets, which are commercially produced food with vitamins and minerals for your rabbit’s excellent health, this is the majority of a rabbit’s diet. For a healthy, well-rounded rabbit diet, include veggies and fruits in their meals.
Housing
Because of its size, this rabbit requires a relatively large enclosure to keep them comfortable while their human family is away. This means you’ll need a cage that’s at least 3 ft x 3 ft x 4 ft, and you’ll want to make sure the rabbit can stretch out at the bottom.
Enclosures should be made of wire and have a solid bottom. Since sore hocks can readily form when rabbits sleep on a wire-bottom cage for an extended period, they get a wire cage with a solid bottom for their safety and comfort.
The bottom should also be coated with hay (horse hay is fine) and spot-cleaned for their droppings every day, with the hay being changed at the end of each week.
Checkered Giant rabbits may be kept indoors or outdoors, but make sure that outdoor cages are protected from the elements like the sun and rain and have an adequate airflow to keep them cool in hot weather. Bring them inside if the temperature starts to rise or fall too significantly.
Grooming
Checkered Giant Rabbits are fastidious groomers that will groom themselves for hours at a time. Rabbits groom each other, and their owners claim that this is a way to bond with their cage mates.
Mother rabbits may also be seen grooming their young in their nests, although this will not continue long because she will abandon the nest as soon as she gives birth. She will return to the nest in the evening for a brief visit to milk her offspring.
Belgian Hare Health
A Checkered Giant Rabbit is disease-free and unaffected by any ailment. In addition, this breed is susceptible to common rabbit illnesses. This is why it is so important to keep an eye on your rabbit’s health and growth at all times.
Any changes in your pet’s behavior might indicate that they are unwell and need medical treatment. Take your pet to the doctor as soon as it opens its eyes and leaves its nest for routine immunizations and testing.
Enteritis, bloat, and GI stasis are common in small and younger rabbits, delicate digestive systems. GI Stasis is a potentially fatal illness in which the digestive system slows or stops functioning entirely. Loss of appetite, tiny or no fecal pellets, and lethargy are all symptoms. If found early enough, it can be cured.
You should also be aware of ear and fur parasites like mites, fleas, and ticks. Rabbits infected with these parasites often have poor hygiene or are kept in filthy environments or cages. Poor appetite, nose, and ocular discharges, constipation, loose stools, and vomiting are further indicators of disease to be aware of.
Unsteady stride, restlessness, teeth grinding, and sleeping for prolonged periods of time should all be taken seriously since they might indicate a dangerous disease.
Malocclusion occurs when the upper and lower teeth are misaligned, preventing the natural chewing process from wearing down your rabbit’s teeth. Dental checks should be done regularly. Make sure your rabbit gets enough hay as well.
Even when a rabbit is elderly, its teeth continue to grow, and they can sometimes get so long that they puncture the mouth and gums. When this happens, your rabbit will be in excruciating pain.
To avoid generating stress, you must ensure that the rabbit’s teeth do not overgrow. Help your rabbit by providing hay, which can grind its teeth as it chews. To file a rabbit’s teeth, you can leave pieces of wood, as well as other toys and accessories, inside the cage. To avoid costly dental expenditures, keep an eye on your rabbit’s tooth health.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Checkered Giant Rabbits Endangered?
There are no endangered Checkered Giant Rabbits. Checkered Giant Rabbits are domesticated and hence may be purchased as pets from breeders, pet stores, and human homes.
What Size Cage Should a Checkered Giant Rabbit Have?
Because of its size, one Checkered Giant Rabbit requires a big enclosure. This space of the cage should be doubled for two huge rabbits. You must not disregard the cage size and ensure that your rabbits have enough area to play, eat, and sleep. You must also consider the number of rabbits that will be housed in the enclosure.
Are Checkered Giant Rabbits Territorial?
According to pet owners, Checkered Giant Rabbits are similar to other rabbits in that they may acquire territorial behavior if housed in a tiny enclosure. Males, especially during the mating season, can become extremely dangerous to other males. For the sake of hierarchy, aggressive males might damage other males in the cage.
Is the Checkered Giant Rabbit for You?
The personality of a Checkered Giant rabbit is charming, curious, lively, and kind. It will occasionally bask in your attention. It is not, however, the cuddly kind.
This is not the pet for you if you want a pet that will sit on your lap or snuggle next to you. You’ll strike the jackpot with this one if you’re seeking an excellent companion who will appreciate your attention without being too clingy.