Large Rabbit Breed Suggestions!?!?

[bigbunnies]

I am new to this website and I am looking forward to getting a bunny in the next couple of months. I hope to get a larger bunny that can be free range in my house! I have been looking at a couple of rescues but none of them have large bunnies. I really want a larger rabbit because I have read that they are more laid back and calm. Does anyone have suggestions on what type of breeds are best? I would like a bunny that is a lover. I have been doing a lot of research on bunnies in general, but I haven’t found a lot about larger bunnies and their temperament. 

I want a larger size rabbit because I have a lot of room in my new house and I want a laid back, calm, friendly, cuddly rabbit. From my research I have found that a larger rabbit seems more like what I am looking for. Plus, I just love big rabbits! I have been looking at a couple of rescues but they don’t have any larger rabbits, they only have smaller ones and I would like a rabbit over 8lbs. 

Does anyone have any suggestions fro me? I am really hoping to have a rabbit that is super friendly and cuddly and can get along with my 2 dogs (I know this will take time, they are very calm dogs that don’t care about other animals. Have never bitten anyone or chased anything, they are lazy).

Suggestions and stories much appreciated. Thank you!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hi, bigbunnies and welcome to BB!

You had started 2 similar threads so I approved this one and just edited this post and-typed what you were asking in the other thread here.

I don’t have any experience with big bunnies. My biggest ever is only 5lbs. But I can definitely see why you want one. And you are right that bigger buns tend to be more laid back and cuddly, but personality still plays a part and not all big bunnies will fit into that category.

Have you checked both animal shelters and rabbit specific rescues?

[hiskatey93]

Chom is a Flemish Giant. He’s about 22 pounds, and the breed is just… FABULOUS. I’ve been around other giant breeds, and frankly Flemmies are my absolute favorite.

VERY laid back, sweet, cuddly, and just… THOSE EARS.

[redbunbun]

I have a New Zealand Red male Tossu (4,5kg so 10lbs) and a French lop girl (4kg, 9lbs – and still growing). Of the true giants, Frenchies are so great! So calm, relaxed, cuddly and greedy. Our Sukka, who is a French lop, is like a puppy – she follows people she’s only just met into the bathroom and sits on their feet while they’re on the toilet, forcing them to pet her.

If you’re just looking for a large rabbit and not an actual giant breed, though, I can’t recommend NZRs enough. They’re the prettiest of all the rabbit breeds (I may be biased, but just look at that COLOR!), they’re generally more robust and healthy and live longer than giants, and they’re soooo very social, friendly and loving. They tend to have a bit more spunk and temperament than French lops, and they’re much more active and jumpy, which I think is fun to watch. At the same time, my NZR always sits in my lap whenever I watch movies and demands that I pet him. He’s just the perfect pet rabbit.

[bigbunnies]

Are the larger breed rabbits harder to litterbox train? I am a person that is extremely clean and I will not have my house smelling like pee. Is this something they catch on to quickly like other smaller breeds? Or is it a bit more difficult?

redbunbun your french holland sounds like exactly what I want. I also love the red color of your new Zealand, I think they are just beautiful rabbits. I want a rabbit that is lazy and cuddly!

[hiskatey93]

It mainly depends one age. Chom was never trained, so once he hit 2, it was so hard. But if you get them as a baby, it shouldn’t be too hard at all. No more than any other bunny! The biggest thing I can say is BUILD YOUR OWN! There is literally no litter trays big enough on the market for my Flemmie, and we built our out of wood, and coated the inside with that rubber cement that’s waterproof. WORKS WONDERS, and he can fit in there. That way too, you can fit it in any weird shaped areas.

[redbunbun]

Sukka’s not the neatest personalitywise, but she uses her litter box most of the time. She doesn’t do her “business” outside of her cage, but in her cage she’ll sometimes have accidents. Tossu, on the other hand, was the easiest litter box train ever. He peed outside of his box once on the very first day he came to us, and after that he’s been 100% trained. He’ll sometimes leave a few poops outside the box, but the vast majority of them are in his litter box as well. And he never pees outside of it.

[bigbunnies]

Thank you for the help! Could you guys please outline some of the pro’s and con’s of owning larger rabbits?

[Vienna Blue in France]

PROs – they are bigger
CONs – they are bigger

If a bun turns out to be cuddly and lazy then that’s a plus, an extra – it’s NOT to be expected.
If it is not (cuddly and lazy), will you still want it ?
That’s the million dollar question because there are no guarantees (unless you get an adult that is already chilled and cuddly and still.. there’d be no guarantee)
Sorry to be blunt – but… there is NO guarantee about cuddliness. Mine was until she was 8 months old and then one fine day she decided it wasn’t for her… I haven’t been able to pick her up since, but she is VERY loving and attention seeking when I’m on the floor with her. Just no picking up.

Mine is 50/50 indoor outdoor rabbit.
She pees & poops exclusively in her outdoor tray, and pees in her indoor tray but poops witout shame on the carpet…. (the bigger the rabbit, the more they eat and the more they’ll poop!) That’s two ‘cons’ in one sentence…

[manic_muncher]

My Bonnie is a 17 pound flemish giant and is perfectly litterbox trained and I use a plastic underbed storage box as her litterbox. She is bonded with a lilac rabbit who is about 8 pounds and she is extremely laid back, but she’s also really mischievious when she’s running about. She is a chewer, so she can’t be left alone for very long. haha

[redbunbun]

If a bun turns out to be cuddly and lazy then that’s a plus, an extra – it’s NOT to be expected.

While it’s true that, regardless of breed, some rabbits just won’t be very cuddly or lazy, there’s a bit of a pattern within breeds. Some breeds are more prone to be cuddly and lazy, while others are generally more energetic and lively and temperamental. If you compare the average Netherland Dwarf and French lop, you’ll see a huge difference in personality. If you’re looking for a cuddly and lazy rabbit (as I was!), it’s not a bad idea to “play the favorite” and choose one of the breeds that generally tends to be the kind of rabbit you’re looking for. You have a bigger chance of “getting lucky” that way, even though there’s no guarantee..

[Vienna Blue in France]

I agree absolutely.
Just prefer to warn people then it’s all good good good when it works out !
(Just like there are agressive labradors and veeeery cuddly pitbulls )

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