Checkered Giant
The Checkered Giant is one of the rabbit breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). It originally came from the Lorraine region of France towards the end of the nineteenth century and thus also known as the Great Lorrainese.
The checkered giant was also a product of selective cross breeding. They are bred from Flemish Giants, large French lop-eared rabbits and spotted rabbits. Because of that, early breeds were initially multi-colored or natural wild colored but through further development, it produced the characteristic 'butterfly' markings that have made it popular. Since then, it is exported to the United States at the beginning of the twentieth century, and are known as the Checkered Giant, while in Britain as the Giant Papillon. Both are considered as of the same breed, although the Checkered Giant has been selectively bred to a type distinctly different from the Giant Papillon. |
The Checkered Giant is one of the largest breeds of rabbits having a minimum weight of 11lbs and may reach over 13lbs. It also has a slender and muscular build. It has a hare-like body – has a long, arched back, long, powerful legs and a wide head with large, broad ears held firmly upright. They also have a white coat that has a colored markings, colored ears, rings around the eyes, cheek flashes and a butterfly-shaped marking on the nose. A dorsal stripe (herringbone) runs down the spine from ears to tail, with colored patches on the haunches. |
Breeding well-marked Checkered Giants is not easy. Most of the time, around half the young will have good markings while there are those with plain color and partially marked young as well. Rabbits with partial markings are often called 'Charlies', this is thought to stem from the partial butterfly marking on the nose which looks like a 'Charlie Chaplin' moustache. Checkered Giants have smooth and short hair.
Checkered Giants have a fairly calm temperament and are generally good-natured. They are active, energetic rabbits and can be very playful. Checkered Giants need plenty of exercise. They are sometimes said to be prone to aggressive behavior. |