The Checkered Giant, known as ''Géant Papillon'' in French, is a breed of
domestic rabbit
A domestic or domesticated rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'')—more commonly known as a pet rabbit, bunny, bun, or bunny rabbit—is a subspecies of European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph family. A male rabbit is known as a ''bu ...
that originated in
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
.
One of the largest rabbit breeds, the Checkered Giant is recognized by the
American Rabbit Breeders Association
The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) is a national club for domestic rabbit and cavy breeders. The ARBA is headquartered in Knox, Pennsylvania in the United States. Its membership is composed of rabbit and cavy breeders throughout, fa ...
(ARBA).
The Checkered Giant is one of the minority of rabbit breeds with specific coat markings. The markings defined in the breed standard of the Checkered Giant
differ somewhat from those in the breed standard of the Giant Papillon. For ARBA show purposes, a mature Checkered Giant buck must weigh a minimum of , and a mature doe must weigh a minimum of . ARBA does not specify a maximum weight for Checkered Giants.
History
In 1904, Otto Reinhardt of Reinfalz, Germany interbread the Great German Spot and black
Flemish Giant rabbit Not to be confused with the Continental Giant rabbit
The Flemish Giant rabbit is the largest breed of domestic rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus''). Flemish Giants are historically a utility breed used for their fur and meat. They are ...
. Six years later, the Checkered Giant was introduced in the United States.
Appearance
For the Checkered Giant, ARBA recognizes two varieties: Black ("white with black markings"), and Blue ("white with gray markings").
Each sex and variety is judged separately.
See also
*
Domestic rabbit
A domestic or domesticated rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'')—more commonly known as a pet rabbit, bunny, bun, or bunny rabbit—is a subspecies of European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph family. A male rabbit is known as a ''bu ...
''(includes rabbit health and care)''
*
List of rabbit breeds
As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world. A rabbit breed is a distinct variety created through selective breeding (or occasionally natural selection) for specific characteristics, including si ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
American Checkered Giant Rabbit ClubAmerican Rabbit Breeders AssociationCheckered Giant Rabbit Breed HistoryHouse Rabbit Society
Rabbit breeds