Flemish Giant vs New Zealand
Flemish Giant or New Zealand? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Flemish Giant | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Pet, show, meat | Meat, show |
| Origin | Belgium | California, US |
| Mature weight | 13+ lb | 9–12 lb |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years | 5–8 years |
| Temperament | Gentle, calm | Calm, docile |
| Best fit | Pets, spacious homes | Meat, homesteads, 4-H |
| Docility | ●●●●● Very gentle | ●●●●● Calm |
| Hardiness | ●●●●● Joint and heart care | ●●●●● Sturdy |
| Grooming load | ●●●●● Weekly brushing | ●●●●● Low grooming |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Good if you have space | ●●●●● Good first meat rabbit |
| Observed price | Not enough prices yet | Not enough prices yet |
How they differ
- Docility: the Flemish Giant rates higher than the New Zealand (5 of 5 vs 4).
- Hardiness: the New Zealand rates higher than the Flemish Giant (4 of 5 vs 3).
- Grooming load: the Flemish Giant rates higher than the New Zealand (2 of 5 vs 1).
- Beginner fit: about the same (4 of 5 each).
The Flemish Giant
Flemish Giants come from Flanders in Belgium and are one of the largest rabbit breeds. They are gentle and calm, often called gentle giants, but need far more space and food than small breeds.
Flemish Giants need large enclosures, lots of food and strong handling. They have shorter lifespans than small breeds.
The New Zealand
New Zealand rabbits were developed in the US, despite the name, and are the most common meat rabbit. They are large, fast growing and calm, white is the most common color, and they are a staple of 4-H meat pens.
New Zealands are large and need space and feed. Meat rabbits are often raised on wire, which can cause sore hocks.
Questions
Is a Flemish Giant or a New Zealand better for a beginner?
Neither has the edge: both rate 4 of 5 for beginners in our Animal Library. Flemish Giant: Good if you have space. New Zealand: Good first meat rabbit.
What is the main difference between a Flemish Giant and a New Zealand?
Flemish Giants need large enclosures, lots of food and strong handling. They have shorter lifespans than small breeds. By contrast, new Zealands are large and need space and feed. Meat rabbits are often raised on wire, which can cause sore hocks.