Angora rabbits are lovable balls of fur. Giant Angora rabbits are big, lovable balls of fur.
As the largest of all Angora breeds, these rabbits are not only visually stunning with their thick, fluffy coats, but they’re also known for their gentle nature and unique personality traits.
From a distance, you might mistake a Giant Angora rabbit for a dog.
Up close, you can enjoy your Giant Angora rabbit as a calm, affectionate, gentle pet that can be part of your family for years.
You’ll find that Giant Angora Rabbits can weigh between 9.5 and 12 lbs, making them significantly larger than many other rabbit breeds.
In this article, we will tell you the essential facts about Giant Angora rabbits. Then we will tell you about the history of Giant Angora rabbits, their appearance, their temperament, and what you need to do to take care of them.
Finally, we will answer some common questions about Giant Angora rabbits.
But first, let’s explain the confusing nomenclature of angora rabbits.
What Is an Angora Rabbit?
Angora refers to the downy coat of an Angora rabbit. It is prized for its soft, thin fibers.
It has what knitters call a halo, due to its fluffiness.
Angora from rabbits is lighter than wool, but it is warmer than wool. It is not as elastic as wool.
As a result, angora is used as a 50-50 blend with wool to make soft, warm, hypoallergenic garments.
What Is Different About a Giant Angora Rabbit?
There are 11 breeds of Angora rabbits, only four of which are recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association:
- Giant Angora rabbits are the largest Angora rabbits. They have three kinds of wool: underwool, awn hair, and awn fluff. It does not molt, so its wool must be shorn off.
- English Angora rabbits are about three-fourths the size of Giant Angora rabbits. Their wool is exceptionally silky. It is favored for spinning.,
- Satin Angora rabbits grow almost as large as Giant Angora rabbits. They are prized for their exceptionally fine, satin-like wool. Wool from Satin Angoras is the most valuable of all kinds of rabbit wool.
- French Angora rabbits are exceptionally calm pets. French Angoras have thicker guard hairs protecting their coats. They also have a thicker undercoat, but they molt naturally in the spring. It is easy to pick the loose wool off their bodies, and its fluffiness makes it a favorite for people who spin yarn by hand.
There are also Chinese, Finnish, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Swiss, and St. Lucian Angora rabbits, but they are not recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
Essential Facts About Giant Angora Rabbits
Scientific name: Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus
Care level, compared to other rabbits: Before you get a Giant Angora rabbit, you need to know how to shear its wool. You will need to prevent a condition called wool block, which we will discuss a little later. You need to take your Giant Angora rabbit to a professional groomer about four times a year. In between visits to the groomer, you will need to spend about 30 minutes per week for each rabbit grooming.
Temperament: Friendly, non-aggressive, great pets.
Color: Black, blue, blue tort, chestnut, chocolate, tort, or white. The color pattern can be agouti (multicolored, with light and dark speckles), shaded (gradually transitions from light to dark), self (each hair a different color, with no shading), or white (usually with red eyes).
Lifespan: 7 to 12 years, which is relatively long for a rabbit,
Maximum size: About 10 pounds (4.4 kilograms).
Dietary requirements: Mostly hay. It is important to avoid alfalfa hay (too high in calcium, and can cause bladder or kidney stones). Crunchy vegetables should make up about 20 percent of your Giant Angora rabbit’s diet, with no more than 10 percent high-quality pellets.
Compatible breeds: Gets along with other large rabbits.
Cage size: Like most other rabbits, Giant Angoras need cages about 4 times as large as their bodies. Larger is always better. A Giant Angora rabbit needs a cage or kennel with 24 inches by 36 inches (609 cm by 90 cm) floor space, and 14 inches (35 cm) clearance of its head. An outdoor hutch with an enclosed playspace is ideal if you are keeping two or more rabbits.
Large enough not to have a problem with other pets. Not a good choice for an indoor rabbit.
History of the Giant Angora Rabbit
The story of the Giant Angora Rabbit begins with its smaller cousin, the Angora Rabbit.
Angora rabbits originated near Ankara, Turkey.
They were brought to France in 1723 as a pet for the royal family.
They spread to rabbit farmers throughout France in 1750 and arrived in the United States in about 1900.
It was during this time that Louise Walsh, from Taunton Massachusetts, decided to create a larger Angora rabbit breed that would stand out from the rest.
Her goal was to develop a breed that was not only unique, but also an excellent producer of wool and easy to care for. The result of her efforts was the Giant Angora Rabbit.
This larger breed was developed by incorporating Flemish Giants into the mix. The Flemish Giants are known for their size and strength, which helped in creating a bigger rabbit with more wool production capabilities.
Her Giant Angora rabbits were recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1986.
Appearance of the Giant Angora Rabbit
Giant Angora rabbits stand out in a crowd. They are relatively large but not giant rabbits.
They are a commercial body type, the depth of their body approximately equaling the width of their bodies, except for a slight tapering at their hips.
These rabbits have big, fluffy coats. Their head is slightly wider at the forehead and slightly narrower at the muzzle.
Their ears stand upright, and they have tufts of hair on their foreheads.
Coat and Color
Giant Angora rabbits are known for their coats. They produce more wool than any other rabbit.
They have gently wavy wool in their undercoats. They have awn fluff, each hair with a hooked end.
And they have awn hairs that are straight and unusually strong.
Here is what you need to know about choosing the color of your Giant Angora rabbit.
- If you really want a black Angora rabbit, consider getting a Satin Angora. They are a darker black. Giant Angoras tend to be grayish-black.
- A blue Giant Angora rabbit can have almost black hair on its face and ears, but it will be solid blue everywhere else. The wool gets lighter closer to the skin. The eyes will be blue-gray.
- Lilac Giant Angoras have blue wool with a pink tint. Eyes will be blue-gray.
- A self-colored rabbit is the same color everywhere. Self-colors can only be lilac, chocolate, blue, or black. If you see any rings of rusty brown, your rabbit is not self.
- An agouti Giant Angora rabbit has a mixture of the four self colors.
- Chocolate and chestnut hair is lighter near the skin. Sending your Giant Angora rabbit to the groomer can give a much lighter and brighter appearance.
Temperament of the Giant Angora Rabbit
Giant Angora Rabbits are known for their gentle and docile nature, making them a great option for families with older children or individuals looking for a friendly and affectionate pet. These rabbits tend to be shy at first, but once they feel confident in their surroundings, they love to run, jump, and play
Once your Giant Angora rabbit is bonded to you, you have a friend for life.
It is important to get your rabbits used to handling as bunnies, to make it easier to groom and shear them the rest of their lives.
Giant Angora rabbits get along well with children, as long as you make sure your children get down on the floor to play with their rabbits, and never pick them up by their ears.
When it comes to Giant Angora Rabbits’ compatibility with other pets, you should always use caution, as their large size and abundant fur can make them a target for curiosity, especially from dogs and cats.
To ensure your rabbit’s safety, proper introductions should be made, and appropriate supervision should be maintained when different species interact.
In terms of their behavior, Giant Angoras are quite active and intelligent. To keep them entertained and satisfied, consider providing the following enrichment opportunities:
- Chew toys: These help keep their teeth healthy and prevent boredom.
- Cardboard boxes with holes cut out: They make great hiding and play spaces for your rabbit.
- Slow feeders: To promote mental stimulation and prevent overeating.
Care of the Giant Angora Rabbit
There are two things to keep in mind about Giant Angora rabbits. One thing to remember is that they were bred in New England.
They do not do well in hot weather unless their coats are kept trimmed, and they have access to air conditioning.
The other thing to remember about Giant Angora rabbits is that they need regular grooming.
Grooming your Giant Angora rabbit is so important that we have made Grooming a separate section.
Grooming Your Giant Angora Rabbit
When your Giant Angora rabbit is still a bunny, it does not need a lot of grooming to keep from shedding.
Even so, weekly grooming your Giant Angora bunnies is important to help them get used to being handled.
Brushing your Giant Angora rabbit every day will keep its wool from getting matted. If its wool ever gets dirty, don’t give your Giant Angora rabbit a bath.
Bathing is traumatic for rabbits. Instead, clean their fur with a damp towel to remove twigs, debris, mud, and fecal pellets.
Daily grooming also prevents a serious, sometimes fatal digestive problem.
Health Concerns for Giant Angora Rabbits
There are a couple of health concerns you need to know when it comes to Giant Angora Rabbits.
Wool Block
One of the most common disabling health conditions in Giant Angora rabbits is wool block.
When Giant Angoras are not groomed by their owners, they attempt to groom themselves. To do this, they lick their fur.
Wool block occurs when your Giant Angora rabbit ingests too much of its own wool, which can get trapped in its digestive tract.
The wool can create a mass similar to a hairball in a cat, but rabbits cannot vomit. They cannot cough up a ball of wool.
A mass of wool in the intestine prevents the absorption of water. The water your rabbit drinks will flow around the blockage, creating runny diarrhea.
Rabbits can die of dehydration despite having plenty of fresh water to drink.
To prevent wool block, you should groom your rabbit regularly and provide high-fiber hay in their diet. Proper grooming helps remove loose hair, and high-fiber hay supports healthy digestion.
The only real way to prevent wool block is to make sure your rabbit has a steady diet of high-fiber, dry timothy hay.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion, or misaligned teeth, can be a problem for Giant Angora rabbits. Their teeth constantly grow, and if they’re not wearing down evenly, they may develop sharp edges that can hurt your rabbit’s mouth. To prevent this, make sure your rabbit has access to proper chew toys and monitor its teeth closely.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by an array of factors, such as poor diet or bacterial infections. If you notice your rabbit is experiencing diarrhea, consult with a veterinarian immediately, as it can lead to rapid dehydration.
Wool Mites and Cheyletiella Parasitovorax
Wool mites are tiny parasites that live within a rabbit’s fur, causing itching and irritation. Cheyletiella parasitovorax is another type of parasite that can infest your rabbit’s skin. Both of these parasites can be harmful to your rabbit’s health and should be treated promptly.
Broken Bones
Another concern with rabbits is broken bones. Dropping a rabbit can break its spine.
If you can’t lift your rabbit safely, don’t pick it up!
Popular Bunny Names for Giant Angora Rabbit
Here’s a table with popular Giant Angora Rabbit names, reflecting their breed characteristics.
The Giant Angora Rabbit is known for its large size, fluffy wooly coat, and gentle temperament. Many of these names are inspired by their unique appearance and friendly nature.Boy Bunny Names for Giant Angora Rabbit Girl Bunny Names for Giant Angora Rabbit Fluffy Fuzzball Wooly Cotton Cloud Luna Puff Snowball Yeti Misty Bear Aurora Frost Pearl Nimbus Angel Cuddle Dandelion Marshmallow Whisper
These names emphasize the soft, fluffy coat, large size, and gentle personality of the Giant Angora Rabbit breed, making them fitting choices for your rabbit.
Also read: Popular Pet Rabbit (Bunny) Names (Girl/Boy)
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Angora Rabbits
Where can I buy a Giant Angora rabbit?
To buy Giant Angora Rabbits, check the Rabbit Breeders Directory.
How much will a Giant Angora rabbit cost?
Giant Angora rabbits cost between $50 and $250 in the US. The cost of a Giant Angora rabbit can vary depending on the location, breeder, and quality.
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