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What is a continental giant rabbit?
A very large, upright-eared domestic rabbit descended from the Flemish giant. The Vet Desk's breed profile says it is also called the German giant and was first bred for meat, long before it became a popular pet. Today most continental giants in the UK live as house or garden companions.
The British Rabbit Council recognises the breed in two varieties: coloured and white. The American Rabbit Breeders Association does not list the continental giant at all, which is why you will see far more of them in the UK and Europe than in the US. American owners looking for a similar rabbit usually meet the Flemish giant, its close cousin.
How big is a continental giant rabbit?
Big enough to change how you plan everything. Breed profiles give 7 to 11 kg (15 to 25 lb) or more for adults. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) puts giant breeds at 5 to 10 kg (11 to 22 lb) or more, and says they can be over 1.2 m (4 ft) long stretched out or standing on their back legs. A record continental giant weighed just over 23 kg (50 lb), but that is far heavier than a healthy pet should be.
| Item | Small rabbit | Continental giant |
|---|---|---|
| Adult weight | 1 to 2 kg (2 to 4 lb) | About 7 to 11 kg (15 to 25 lb) |
| Pellets a day (RWAF rule: 15 g per kg) | 15 to 30 g (about 1 oz) | 105 to 165 g (about 4 to 6 oz) |
| Lifespan | Often 8 to 12 years | Usually 4 to 6 years |
Colour does not change size. Black, blue, opal and other shades all fall under the coloured variety, and none of them is a separate breed. A rabbit sold as a "blue continental" or "opal continental" is a coloured continental giant.
What is a continental giant like as a pet?
Usually gentle, relaxed and sociable. The Vet Desk describes the breed as docile, friendly and affectionate, and says they can be trained, for example to use a litter tray. Creatures notes that giants often prefer to meet you at floor level, which suits them: sitting on the floor with a giant is far safer than lifting one.
Handle a giant only when you must. The RWAF says to do it sitting on the floor with the spine fully supported, because wrong handling can cause fatal back or hind leg fractures. Never let a child carry one.
Like every rabbit, a continental giant needs a rabbit companion. A second giant is easiest, because a much smaller rabbit can be hurt in play. Our guide to bonding two rabbits explains how to introduce them after both are neutered.
What housing does a continental giant need?
A shed, aviary or room, not a hutch. The RWAF says pet shop hutches are rarely big enough for giants and recommends a large shed, an aviary or living as a house rabbit, with a run attached if possible. The minimum is room for at least three hops in a row in any direction, which for a giant can mean 3.7 m (12 ft). Creatures adds solid, non-slip flooring, shade, a dry shelter and predator protection, and no bare wire floors.
- Pick the base. A garden shed of at least 3.7 m (12 ft) on one side, a large aviary, or a rabbit-proofed room. Our guide to turning a shed into a rabbit home walks through it.
- Add a run. Attach a secure run so they can choose when to go out. The RWAF wants daily exercise in a secure garden free of predators, escape routes and toxic plants.
- Cushion the floor. Thick, soft bedding over a solid floor protects heavy back feet from sore hocks. See our rabbit bedding guide for what works.
- Size up the kit. Use a big, low-sided litter tray (a large cat tray or a cement mixing tub), heavy ceramic bowls and a carrier made for large dogs.
- Keep the ramps low. Giants are not climbers. Low, wide platforms with gentle ramps are safer than shelves.
If you have been looking at hutches, read our rabbit hutch size guide first: for a giant, even the largest hutch can only be the bedroom, with a much bigger space joined on.
What should a continental giant eat?
The same diet as any rabbit, scaled up: unlimited hay, a large pile of fresh greens every day, a measured handful of pellets and clean water. The RWAF says adults need only about 15 g of pellets per kg of body weight a day, so an 8 kg rabbit gets about 120 g (4 oz). Young giants still growing need more, ideally a good extruded nugget, and no vitamin or mineral supplements unless a vet prescribes them.
Some breed websites suggest many cups of pellets a day for giants. We'd follow the RWAF instead, because too many pellets means less hay, more weight and more dental and gut trouble. Our rabbit diet guide covers daily amounts, and the safe food list covers greens and treats.
Giants hide fat well under their broad frame. Feel along the spine and ribs every week: you should feel them under a light padding, not search for them.
What health problems do continental giants get?
Mostly problems that come with size. The RWAF lists these as the main ones for giant breeds:
| Problem | What to look for | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Sore hocks (pododermatitis) | Bald, red or scabby patches under the back feet | Thick soft bedding; check feet daily |
| Arthritis and spine changes | Slowing down, shuffling, a dirty bottom | Vet check; pain relief often helps |
| Flystrike | A large dewlap stops them reaching their back end to clean | Keep slim; check the bottom twice a day |
| Heart disease | Tiring quickly, fast breathing, sudden collapse | Early vet checks; treatment may help |
Creatures adds that a rabbit that stops eating or stops passing normal droppings needs urgent vet help. Find a vet who treats rabbits before you bring one home, and check they have scales and a table big enough. Our guide to rabbit health and signs of illness covers what's normal.
Lifespan is shorter than smaller breeds. The RWAF puts giants at 4 to 6 years, with some living longer, and The Vet Desk gives 4 to 6 as well. Our rabbit lifespan guide explains the life stages.
How much does a continental giant rabbit cost?
The Vet Desk puts US breeder prices at about $300 to $500 per rabbit, as of November 2026. We couldn't find a reliable UK breeder figure. The bigger costs come after: the RWAF says to budget upwards of £300 for housing that is big enough, and every regular cost (hay, bedding, neutering, vet visits, a pet sitter) is larger for a giant. Our rabbit cost guide has the full monthly breakdown.
Where can I find a continental giant rabbit near me?
Start with rescues. Giant rabbits do turn up in rescues, and an adult from a rescue usually comes neutered, vaccinated and with a known temperament. If you choose a breeder, meet the parents, ask about heart and joint problems in the line, and check the rabbit has been handled from young. Our guide to where to get a rabbit lists what to ask.
We don't cover breeding or keeping rabbits for meat. Every pet giant is happiest neutered, which also prevents cancers in does and helps bonded pairs live calmly together. Our neutering guide explains when and why, and the complete rabbit care guide covers the rest.
Continental giant rabbits: common questions
How big do continental giant rabbits get?
Most adults weigh about 7 to 11 kg (15 to 25 lb), and some grow larger. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund says giant rabbits can be over 1.2 m (4 ft) long when stretched out or standing up. The Vet Desk's breed profile mentions a record rabbit of just over 23 kg (50 lb), but that is an extreme, not something to aim for.
What is the difference between a continental giant and a Flemish giant?
The Vet Desk says the continental giant descends from the Flemish giant, and the two look alike. The main difference is recognition: the British Rabbit Council recognises the continental giant in coloured and white forms, while the American Rabbit Breeders Association recognises the Flemish giant but not the continental. For a pet owner, their care is the same.
How much does a continental giant rabbit cost?
The Vet Desk puts breeder prices at about $300 to $500 in the US, as of November 2026. We found no reliable UK price. The rabbit is the cheap part: the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund says to budget upwards of £300 for suitable housing alone, and giants eat more, need bigger litter trays and carriers, and cost more at the vet.
Are continental giant rabbits good pets?
They can be lovely ones. Breed profiles describe them as gentle, docile and friendly, and their size makes them less jumpy than many small breeds. They suit owners with real space, a budget for bigger everything, and a vet who treats rabbits. They are a poor fit for children who want to pick them up, because giants are heavy and easily hurt by a fall.
Can a continental giant rabbit live in a hutch?
No. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund says pet shop hutches are rarely large enough for giants, which need room for at least three hops in any direction, potentially 3.7 m (12 ft). A shed with a run, an aviary or a rabbit-proofed room works. Even a large hutch should only ever be one part of a bigger setup.
How much should a continental giant rabbit eat?
Mostly hay, as much as they want, plus a large pile of leafy greens each day. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund says adults need only about 15 g of pellets per kg of body weight daily, which is roughly 120 to 150 g (4 to 5 oz) for an 8 to 10 kg rabbit. Some breed sites suggest several cups a day; we'd follow the welfare charity.
