Continental Giant Rabbit: Info, Care, Diet, Pictures & More

Also known as the German Giant Rabbit, the Continental Giant is a massive rabbit breed that was initially bred for meat. It features a unique temperament, physique, and diet that sets it apart from standard domesticated rabbits.

The Conti is recognized by the British Rabbit Council, and more specifically, two categories of the breed, namely the white and black variety. However, despite BRC’s recognition, it is not a recognized breed by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

In this article, we will discuss its behavior, background, and health concerns so that you can determine if the breed is suitable for you. Read on to learn more.

The Continental Giant rabbit, or “Conti” in short, is a breed of epic proportions. It is one of the longest record holders for the largest rabbit breed in the world, virtually impossible to ignore if you come face to face with one. Some can be up to three feet long, even outsizing a typical medium-sized dog breed.

This rabbit breed has grown in popularity across the US, with most of them finding a forever home in most households because of their trainability and docile nature. While they may be kept as a food source, their temperament makes them suitable family companions, able to get along with children and some other pets in your household.

Continental Giant Rabbit Breed Characteristics

How Much Do These Rabbits Cost?

These rabbits can fetch up to $350 to $500. However, the cost will depend on whether you are buying the breed from a responsible breeder or not. The price will also vary depending on age, weight, lifespan, nurture, and whether you are getting the rabbit for a pet or show business. You might also spend close to $1,000 for its care and maintenance.

Before getting a Conti, you should look for responsible breeders to make sure that you are getting a healthy bunny without genetic disorders. If the breeder cannot selectively remove the bad traits, you can opt for purebred Contis because they feature fewer genetic abnormalities.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Continental Giant Rabbit

Continental Giant rabbits are known to be kind, friendly, and loving almost to a fault. They also enjoy hopping around while playing, and they can even be taught tricks because they are a highly intelligent breed.

If they are frequently and gently handled while still young, they can easily adopt behavior that is similar to a dog by the time they mature into adults. This often makes them a very entertaining breed and is perhaps why they are mostly featured in shows.

Do These Rabbits Make Good Pets?👪

Due to their friendly and docile nature, the Conti can make good family pets. They also make good companions and love being the center of attention. If you have children in your household, they will get along with this breed quite well.

Be that as it may, if your children are inexperienced at handling rabbits, you should teach them how to properly do it because rabbits have very fragile body structures and should be handled with care. And as it grows older and larger, it can easily injure its spine.

Moreover, if they feel threatened or in pain, they can kick out their hind legs to set themselves free. In such a scenario, do not attempt to placate them. You should instead let them go to avoid injuring them or yourself.

This rabbit is recommended for experienced rabbit owners with a few years under their belt. They also need an owner with ample space for them to run around during playtime. Since it enjoys chewing on things, keep them away from any cables or wires lying around your home.

Does This Rabbit Get Along With Other Pets?

The Continental Giant can amicably get along with other animals, including cats, dogs, and other rabbits. Since it is still prey to most animals, its sheer size will discourage cats and some dog breeds from viewing it as potential prey and chasing after it.

But when bringing a Conti to a home with other pets, do so gradually as you gauge the reaction. The best way to ensure everybody gets along is to introduce your bunny to other pets while still young.

Additionally, even though the Continental Giant can live with other rabbit breeds in a sort of colony, keep in mind that bunnies tend to fight for dominance. So, regularly check on them to see how they are progressing.

Also, if you do not neuter or spay your rabbits, their hatch may be overrun by baby rabbits. Unfortunately, older rabbits may also kill younger ones. So, it’s best to separate them.

Things to Know When Owning a Continental Giant Rabbit

Food & Diet Requirements 🥕

Since rabbits are herbivorous, they will need hay in their daily diet. Hay will not only provide a high amount of nutrients but also prevent their teeth from overgrowing. Leafier vegetables will also provide the much-needed fibrous material for their gut.

You can also opt to provide your Conti with pellets specifically designed for rabbits. The commercially prepared pellets have vital minerals and vitamins necessary for healthy growth.

Conti’s also have additional nutritional requirements. You should have a sizable amount of protein-dense kibble, dark leafy greens, apples, and carrots on hand because this rabbit likes to eat a lot. And given their size, they require a few extra calories compared to dwarf rabbit versions.

Also, ensure that your rabbit has access to pure and clean water at all times. While a single dish or water bottle might be enough for standard domesticated rabbits, it may not be enough for a Conti. And insufficient water can prove to be severe. It’s best to avail multiple sources of clean water, preferably in all the rooms in your house that your rabbit likes to play in.

Just make sure you do not overfeed your Conti because this breed is highly susceptible to overweight issues, which can lead to some more serious health problems.

Habitat & Hutch Requirements 🏠

One Continental Giant Rabbit will require a hutch big enough to accommodate two rabbits. It should measure at least 12 by 20 square feet so that they can freely move around. Moreover, due to their size, the hutch should also be high enough for them to avoid bumping their heads as they stand up to scan their environment for potential predators.

The enclosure or cage should feature a removable bottom part so that you can easily clean it when necessary. Consider adding a soft bedding material to make your rabbit comfortable at all times. You can add hay feeders to the side of the enclosure so they can easily pull it and chew whenever they feel bored or hungry.

For the bedding material, consider using wood pellets or aspen since they can easily absorb urine and are easier to clean. Some people may prefer pine and cedar, but these are not ideal because they have low absorption rates.

When cleaning, use a cage cleaner or natural alternatives like white vinegar. Natural cleaners are more effective at cage cleaning; besides, they do not contain dangerous chemicals that might harm your rabbit.

Exercise & Sleeping Needs 🐇

Continental Giant Rabbits are some of the most easy-going rabbit breeds you can own. They are not usually very active, and they prefer to spend their time lounging around with other cage mates or leisurely hopping around the enclosure.

But despite their overly low activity levels, they will want to explore their immediate environment, probably moving, sniffing, or scratching about. You are likely to find this rabbit exploring some parts of your home, even wandering off to unsafe parts of your yard. This behavior is most prevalent in young rabbits.

So, the best way to keep your rabbit safe is to add a perimeter fence around your yard to prevent them from wandering off.

Being a huge breed that is prone to obesity, it also requires regular exercise. Create a spacious area for them, whether indoors or outdoors. Keep in mind that this exercise area should also be rabbit proof because your rabbit might get easily distracted and run away.

Training 🥎

When it comes to training, the Conti breed is easier to train than standard breeds because of its high intelligence. It can be potty trained, but this has to be done when the rabbits are still young.

The best way to potty train a Conti involves taking the rabbit to the yard, preferably in a secluded area where they can do their business. However, never leave them unsupervised when outdoors because they have several natural predators.

Grooming ✂️

Clean your Conti regularly, preferably, once every week. Use a typical grooming brush for their coat, especially during the molting season. Brushing is vital because it will prevent the rabbit from ingesting its fur, which may end up accumulating in their gut and thus creating digestive problems. Brushing also prevents pests and wool blocks.

Another important aspect of grooming your Continental Giant is maintaining and caring for its teeth. Schedule regular appointments at your local vet for dental checkups. This will ensure that your Conti’s teeth do not overgrow and cause pain while feeding.

Despite what some people may suggest, never bathe your Conti because it can be stressful for them. Instead, clean their coats with a damp towel, but ensure that this is done quickly.

Contis feature very large ears, which can easily touch the ground and get dirty; gently clean them with a damp cloth too. Also, remember to trim your rabbit’s nails to prevent sore hocks.

Lifespan and Health Conditions 🏥

Even though these rabbits seem like they can conquer anything, they are still prone to some health issues.

Male vs Female

While both genders of the Continental Giant tend to have overly huge heads, the males are significantly larger. They also both have pointed ears and large eyes. Generally, this breed has such huge ears (a quarter of their total body length), which makes them the largest ears in the rabbit world.

Females tend to be motherly and are even known to be overly protective of their kittens. The males can be very destructive and aggressive when fighting for territory. They are also likely to kill their young ones.

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The 3 Little-Known Facts About Continental Giant Rabbit Breed

1. The largest rabbit breed in the world was called Darius and was a Continental Giant

Darius made the headlines after being mentioned in the Guinness Book of world records as the largest rabbit breed in the world. This is mainly because of its massive length (4.4 feet) and weigh almost 50 pounds

However, Darius might not hold the title for much longer because his son Jeff measures more than 4 feet and still has a few months to grow.

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2. Continental Giants consume a lot of food

Continental Giants can eat 700 apples and 2,000 carrots in a year and a hay bale in just a week. Overall, feeding a Conti can cost their families about 5,000 pounds a year.

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3. Continental Giant rabbits love giving cuddles

They may be a muscular and giant breed, but they also enjoy sitting on their owner’s laps, soliciting cuddles. Often, they are not even aware of their size. If they want to show or receive affection, they will find a way to do so.

So, if you have a young Conti pet, you should shower it with attention and love. This will make it close and trusting with your household members.

Conclusion

Continental Giants are a favorite rabbit breed for many people because they can grow bigger than medium-sized dogs and weigh more than the standard domesticated rabbit. This makes them suitable for food sources. However, this breed can make good family companions because they are friendly, jovial, and intelligent.

They are also sweet and devoted pets that can get along with your household members, including children and other pets. However, they are best suited for experienced owners because they have fragile bodies.

If you want to add this rabbit to your household, just make sure you have sufficient space for it to hop around in. You should also make sure you have plenty of nutritious food and water on hand because this breed tends to eat a lot.

See Also:

• Rhinelander Rabbit: Info, Care, Pictures & More
• Alaska Rabbit: Info, Care, Diet, Pictures & More

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Featured Image Credit: Stephen Clarke, Shutterstock