While the Flemish Giant is the largest rabbit that we know today, there are several breeds that are now extinct and one still to be seen, that have contributed much in the making of the present day Flemish Giant rabbit.
The Patagonian, or as it was also called the Angevin, was a large, not handsome rabbit that lived many years ago
Stunning. Eye catching. Impressive. Appealing. Those are a few of the words I have heard when people see Light Gray Flemish for the first time. In my 22 plus years of raising Flemish Giants, I have yet to have a single day where my eyes do not wander toward this most beautiful of Flemish colors.
January 2009 our Federation lost a Great Member, and friend, John Coon from Winchester, Indiana passed on and is now raising Flemish Giants in Heaven . John was an Icon in the Flemish Giant fraternity and had been a member since 1928, for 81 years. He was an historian for our organization telling many stories from the past about our members, that most of us could only know by name.
I have run into a situation that I feel should be brought to the attention of fellow Flemish breeders. A very interested teen, who had a few Flemish and had purchased a “Sandy” doe, showed me her pedigree, and I saw that it had Fawn and White parents. The White parent had in its background Lt. Grays, Blacks and Steels.
I have no idea if the breeder of this doe knew a Flemish mixture of this sort should not be sold with papers.
It is no secret that many “Old time” Flemish Giant breeders do not breed and show the Blues. They consider them difficult (bordering on impossible!) due to the fact that maintaining bone and size is not easy. Most blues from the past could never be compared to the Sandies and Fawns of today in type, size or bone. And they are right. But the Blue color is a beautiful and unusual variety that should be appreciated and improved before it is lost.
On May 2-3, 2015 History was made as the Members of the National Federation gathered in Columbus, Ohio to celebrate The Largest and Greatest event in Flemish Giant History. The National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders celebrated 100 years of our clubs existence. This event will certainly go down as the Greatest Flemish Giant Federation Event Ever.
An overview and clarifications on showing in correct classes.
