The Checkered Giant, known as ''Géant Papillon'' in French, is a breed of
domestic rabbit
The domestic rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'') is the domestication, domesticated form of the European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph order. A male rabbit is known as a ''buck,'' a female as a ''doe,'' and a young rabbit as a ''k ...
that originated in
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
.
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 rabbits and cavy breeders. The ARBA is headquartered in Knox, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Its membership is composed of rabbit and cavy exhibitors, commer ...
(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 interbred the Great German Spot and black
Flemish Giant rabbit. Six years later, the Checkered Giant was introduced in the United States. Some time later, a smaller variant - the - was bred in the Netherlands, where it is a stable breed.
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
The domestic rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'') is the domestication, domesticated form of the European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph order. A male rabbit is known as a ''buck,'' a female as a ''doe,'' and a young rabbit as a ''k ...
''(includes rabbit health and care)''
*
List of rabbit breeds
As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of the domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world raised for in the Agriculture, agricultural practice of Selective breeding, breeding and raising domestic rabbits as livestock for their value in m ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
American Checkered Giant Rabbit ClubAmerican Rabbit Breeders AssociationCheckered Giant Rabbit Breed HistoryHouse Rabbit Society
Rabbit breeds
Rabbits as pets