The largest rabbit breed after the Flemish giant is the Great Lorraine. This breed was established in the region around Lorraine at the end of the 19th century by crossing Flemish giants, strong French hangers and spotted rabbits, which were then held a lot in France.
These crossings were initially not intended to breed a beautiful rabbit, but a new meat breed with the length of a Flemish giant, the robustness of a (French) Hangoor and the resistance of the slaughter rabbits. The set-up of the breeders succeeded, as the forerunners of the Groot Lotharinger achieved a weight between 6 and 7 kilos. Of the typical drawing that is so characteristic of the Lorraine, there was no question as the
vast majority of the animals were furry or wild-colored. Animals were exported to Germany where the breed was further developed and the nam got Deutsche Risenschecke. From the 1920s, the breed was held in almost all countries in Europe. In the United States, the first Lorraine's were imported at the beginning of the last century. These were called Amercan Checkered Giants and are only recognized in the black and blue coat color. England also has its "own" Lorraine: the Giant Papillon or French Butterfly. The breed was only recognized in England in 1994 and can be bred in every coat color.
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