DOMESTIC RABBITS 23 



ticking of black hairs, which are desired to be of a wavy 

 appearance, rather than evenly sprinkled. 



Both black and white varieties of the Belgian Hare have 

 been bred, but neither has ever become popular. 



The Flemish Giant is the largest rabbit breed, and from 

 this fact has threatened to rival the Belgian Hare as a 

 market animal. However, it was not strong enough, nu- 

 merically, to become widely popular during the rabbit craze, 

 and since that time breeders have discovered that there are 

 various small deficiencies to balance its advantage in weight. 

 Its flesh is less delicate than that of the Belgian, it is some- 

 what less prolific and the young require a longer period to 

 reach maturity. Nevertheless, the Flemish Giant is second 

 only to the Belgian Hare in the numbers of its admirers. 



The typical Giant is dark gray in color, wavily ticked 

 with black. This ticking extends over the entire body with 

 the exception of the under surface of the body, which is 

 pure white. As in the Belgian Hare, black, white and 

 also light gray varieties are acquired. The former, at 

 least, has attained some favor, and now is rather extensively 

 bred. 



In shape it is to the Belgian Hare as the draught horse 

 is to the thoroughbred. Its body is heavy, its legs thick 

 and strong. The head is rounded and full, and the dewlap 

 is well developed. 



A well-grown Flemish Giant should weigh eleven or 

 twelve pounds. Occasional specimens are seen which scale 

 up to sixteen or even eighteen pounds. 



To the color breeder, silvers are perhaps the most at- 

 tractive of rabbits. There are three varieties — Silver Gray, 

 Silver Brown and Silver Fawn — each presenting a com- 

 plicated and delicate color scheme. The Silvers are small, 

 cobby rabbits, seldom exceeding five or six pounds in weight. 

 The ears are small and narrow, and the coat short and crisp. 



