Giant Angora Rabbit: Complete Breed Profile, Care Guide, and What US Owners Need to Know
How we researched this guide: Breed facts come from the National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club (NARBC), the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and its list of recognized varieties. Care facts come from IAGARB, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the PDSA. We left out any figure we could not trace to a published source. Every source is listed at the end. See our editorial policy. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Giant Angora Rabbit: The Short Answer
The Giant Angora is the largest Angora breed recognized by the ARBA. Senior bucks must weigh at least 9.5 lb and senior does at least 10 lb, per the NARBC. The ARBA sets no maximum weight.
It is a wool breed with a three-part coat. It does not molt, so it “must be shorn,” the ARBA says. It is also the only Angora shown in six classes.
| Fact | Giant Angora | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recognized by | ARBA | ARBA Breed ID Guide |
| Minimum senior weight | Bucks 9.5 lb; does 10 lb | NARBC |
| Maximum weight | None set | ARBA |
| Colors | Ruby-eyed white and chestnut | ARBA varieties list, NARBC |
| Coat | Underwool, awn fluff and awn hair | ARBA |
| Molting | Does not molt; must be shorn | ARBA |
| Show classes | Six (junior, intermediate, senior; bucks and does) | NARBC |
Not a beginner rabbit: A Giant Angora is big, needs regular shearing and must be kept cool. If you are new to rabbits, read our Angora rabbit care guide first.
Breed History
The Giant Angora is an American breed. Breed histories credit Louise Walsh of Taunton, Massachusetts, who built it from German Angora stock. The ARBA recognized it in 1988, according to Wikipedia, which cites Bob Whitman’s Domestic Rabbits and Their Histories (2004).
The ARBA describes the breed as “developed specifically as a wool producer.” Its sister breed, the German Angora, is still registered separately by IAGARB, not the ARBA.
The breed’s colors have grown. The ARBA’s December 2024 list of recognized varieties shows two for the Giant Angora: ruby-eyed white and chestnut, with chestnut marked as new.
Breed Standard and Judging
Most show points go to the wool, the NARBC explains. Judges score density, texture and length. The rest covers general type: body, head, ears, eyes, feet, legs and tail.
Body
The Giant Angora has “a commercial type body with a very dense coat of wool,” says the NARBC.
Head and Ears
It has forehead tufts and cheek furnishings. The NARBC says head trimmings should be noticeable, with does less heavily trimmed than bucks. The ears should be “lightly fringed and well tasseled.”
Coat
The coat has three fiber types: underwool, awn fluff and awn hair, per the ARBA. The NARBC adds that underwool should dominate the other two.
Show Classes
| Class | Age | Minimum weight |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | Under 6 months | 4¾ lb |
| Intermediate | 6 to 8 months | — |
| Senior buck | 8 months and over | 9½ lb |
| Senior doe | 8 months and over | 10 lb |
Source: NARBC. The NARBC page lists no minimum for intermediates.
How Big Do Angora Rabbits Get?
Angora size depends on the breed. The Giant is the heaviest; the English is the smallest. These are senior weights from each breed’s club or registry.
| Breed | Adult weight | Source |
|---|---|---|
| English Angora | 5 to 7.5 lb | NARBC |
| Satin Angora | 6.5 to 10 lb | NARBC |
| French Angora | 7.5 to 10.5 lb | NARBC |
| German Angora | Minimum 2.5 kg (5.5 lb); average about 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) | IAGARB |
| Giant Angora | Bucks 9.5 lb+, does 10 lb+; no maximum | NARBC, ARBA |
A full coat can hide a rabbit’s true size, so use a scale to track weight. Size also sets cage size and, by one welfare guide, when a rabbit counts as a senior. See our Angora lifespan guide.
Shearing and Grooming
Because the Giant Angora does not molt, its wool has to be cut. The ARBA does not set a shearing interval. For the closely related German Angora, the IAGARB Standards of Care recommend shearing every 90 days.
Keep the rear end clean between shearings. The PDSA links flystrike to damp, dirty fur and advises regular grooming for long-haired rabbits such as Angoras.
Freshly shorn rabbits lose their insulation fast. IAGARB notes that shorn rabbits “may require coats and supplemental heating regardless of the temperature.” For tools and methods, see our Angora grooming guide.
Diet
- Unlimited grass hay. The Merck Veterinary Manual links gut stasis to too little fiber and advises unlimited hay.
- Pellets. This site recommends pellets with at least 17% protein for any Angora in full coat. That is our editorial standard, explained in our care guide. Ask your vet how much to feed a rabbit of your Giant’s weight.
- Fresh water every day. IAGARB notes that rabbits will not eat if they are thirsty.
Housing
We found no published cage standard written for the Giant Angora. The closest is the IAGARB Standards of Care for German Angoras weighing 5.5 to 12 lb:
- At least 30 × 36 × 24 inches, or 24 × 48 × 24 inches
- At least 7.5 sq ft of floor, not counting dishes
- One rabbit per cage, except a doe with a litter
A Giant can weigh more than 12 lb, so treat these as a floor and go bigger. Add a solid resting area. Merck says heavy breeds are more prone to sore hocks and advises “solid resting surfaces.”
Keeping a Giant Angora Cool
IAGARB gives 58 to 68°F as the ideal range for German Angoras and calls for cooling above 75°F. The same dense coat makes this a sensible guide for the Giant. Use fans, frozen water bottles or air conditioning, and give shade from direct sun.
Know the signs of heatstroke. The PDSA lists red, hot ears, fast or open-mouth breathing, weakness and collapse. Move the rabbit somewhere cool, wet its ears with cold tap water and call your vet.
Handling a Large Rabbit
A heavy rabbit needs careful support. Spinal fractures can happen if a rabbit is held wrongly and kicks out, warns WikiVet. “The hindlimbs should never be allowed to fully extend and kick.”
Always support the hindquarters, hold the rabbit close to your body, and handle it low to the ground.
Health
- Gut stasis. Food movement slows and the rabbit becomes bloated and painful. Merck links it to low fiber or dental disease. A rabbit that stops eating or passes fewer droppings needs a vet promptly.
- Hairballs. Swallowed hair normally passes in the droppings. True blockages are “uncommon but serious,” says Merck.
- Flystrike. Check the rear end daily in warm months. The PDSA treats even one maggot as an emergency.
- Sore hocks. Heavier rabbits are more prone. Give soft bedding and solid resting surfaces.
Giant Angora vs German Angora
| Feature | Giant Angora | German Angora |
|---|---|---|
| Registered by | ARBA | IAGARB |
| ARBA shows | Eligible | Not eligible |
| Weight | Seniors: bucks 9.5 lb+, does 10 lb+; no maximum | Minimum 2.5 kg (5.5 lb); average about 3.5 kg |
| Colors | Ruby-eyed white and chestnut | White and colored (not bi-colored) |
| Coat | Underwool, awn fluff, awn hair | Underwool, awn fluff, guard hair |
| Judged on | Wool and general type at ARBA shows | Conformation plus a certified wool test |
Sources: NARBC, ARBA, IAGARB standard. Read our full German Angora guide or compare all breeds in types of Angora rabbits.
Is a Giant Angora Right for You?
A Giant Angora may suit you if you want an ARBA show breed that grows a lot of wool. You will need room for a large cage, a cool home, and time for regular shearing.
It may not suit you if you are new to rabbits, cannot keep your home cool, or would struggle to hold a 10 lb+ rabbit.
Lifespan
No published study gives a lifespan for the Giant Angora. The Merck Veterinary Manual says pet rabbits “can live 10–12 years or longer” with good care. See our Angora lifespan guide.
Where to Find a Giant Angora
Start with the NARBC and ARBA-sanctioned shows, where breeders show their stock. Read where to buy an Angora rabbit and how much Angora rabbits cost.
Safety first: Heatstroke, flystrike and gut stasis can all turn serious fast. Find a rabbit-savvy vet before your Giant comes home. The House Rabbit Society has a vet finder. More in our Angora rabbit health guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does a Giant Angora rabbit get?
Senior bucks must weigh at least 9.5 lb and senior does at least 10 lb, per the NARBC. The ARBA sets no maximum weight.
How big do Angora rabbits get?
It depends on the breed. NARBC senior weights are 5 to 7.5 lb for the English, 6.5 to 10 lb for the Satin and 7.5 to 10.5 lb for the French. The Giant starts at 9.5 lb for bucks and 10 lb for does.
Does the Giant Angora molt?
No. The ARBA says the breed does not molt, so it must be shorn.
What colors do Giant Angoras come in?
The ARBA recognizes two varieties: ruby-eyed white and chestnut.
Is the Giant Angora recognized by the ARBA?
Yes. It is one of four ARBA Angora breeds, with the English, French and Satin. The ARBA recognized it in 1988, according to breed histories.
How is the Giant Angora different from the German Angora?
The Giant Angora is an ARBA breed shown at ARBA shows. The German Angora is registered by IAGARB, which tests each rabbit for wool output. The Giant is also heavier at the minimum.
Sources
- National Angora Rabbit Breeders Club. Giant Angora Rabbits; also the English, French and Satin Angora pages.
- American Rabbit Breeders Association. Giant Angora.
- American Rabbit Breeders Association. Breed ID Guide, January 2023.
- ARBA Recognized Breeds and Varieties, updated December 12, 2024 (PDF via Kansas State 4-H).
- Wikipedia. Angora rabbit: Giant Angora, citing Whitman BD, Domestic Rabbits and Their Histories, 2004.
- IAGARB. Standards of Care and Breed Standard.
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Owner Version. Digestive Disorders of Rabbits, Skin Disorders of Rabbits and Disorders and Diseases of Rabbits.
- PDSA. Heatstroke in Rabbits and Flystrike in Rabbits.
- WikiVet. Spine Fractures: Rabbit.
- House Rabbit Society. Finding a Local Rabbit Veterinarian.
This guide is for general information. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Read our disclaimer.