The Continental Giant, first documented in 1893,[2] is said to have descended from the
Flemish Giant.[2]
The longest Continental Giant on record is approximately 4 feet 4 inches (c. 132 cm) in length,[5] and the heaviest weighs 53 lbs (c. 24kg).[2] The average lifespan for the breed is 4–5 years.[2] The record for the longest Continental Giant was held by the breeder
Annette Edwards since 2004, across three generations of rabbits.[6] Continental Giant rabbits are more likely to suffer femoral fractures and it is hypothesized to be caused from a weakness of bone.[7] In 2010,
Ralph was recognised as the world's heaviest rabbit by
Guinness World Records.[8]
^Dorlis, C., Garcia‐Pertierra, S., Richardson, J., Koterwas, B., Keeble, E., Eatwell, K., Ryan, J., & Clements, D. N. (2021). Femoral condylar fractures in four continental giant breed rabbits. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
doi:
10.1111/jsap.13417.