Similar to daffodils, newborn lambs, and fresh buds appearing on trees, the Easter bunny is a highly anticipated symbol of the changing season. Legend has it that this beloved bunny can grow up to 6 feet tall, making it much larger than the average pet rabbit. However, the Continental Giant breed takes the title for being one of the oldest and largest rabbit breeds, towering at around five times the size of a standard bunny. With an average weight of 25 pounds and a height of 3 feet, these gentle giants are truly impressive. Darius, a Continental Giant residing in Worcestershire with his owner Annette Edwards, holds the title for being the largest rabbit ever recorded, measuring a staggering 4 feet 4 inches in length and weighing three-and-a-half stone. Yet, he’s not the only one in the running. In this article, Sadie Nicholas introduces us to four women who have adorable giant bunnies as their loyal companions.
Rebecca Freeman-Harris, a 36-year-old entrepreneur, is the proud owner of a dog-walking business based in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. She shares her home with her husband Richard, 41, a builder, and their two young children, William and Eleanor. The real star of their household is Jenson, a hefty bunny who loves to tap on the door when he wants to come inside.
Jenson, a four-year-old Continental Giant rabbit, is a giant fluffball weighing in at 1st 5oz and standing at 2ft 8in tall. Rebecca fondly describes him as their “bumper bunny” due to his impressive size. Whenever he’s not demanding attention at the back door, Jenson enjoys snuggling on the sofa, even though his slippery paws make it quite a hilarious challenge on their wooden floors.
Despite his imposing size, Jenson lives harmoniously in their garden hutch with his smaller companion, Florence, an English lop-spot cross. Neutered for their well-being, the pair make an adorable duo. Jenson is not just a big softie; he also has a mischievous side. He loves to gather crayons from the children and hoard them in a corner. His favorite pastime involves nudging balls around with his nose and, like any true foodie, he goes crazy for potato peelings from Rebecca’s Sunday roasts. Overall, Jenson brings joy and laughter to their family with his larger-than-life personality.
Beki Sharman, a 27-year-old communication professional, resides in Yeovil, Somerset, with her 36-year-old retail-working husband Carey, and their one-year-old daughter Emilia. Their household also includes a unique albino Continental Giant rabbit named Lola, who measures 2ft 8in tall and weighs just under 1st (6kg).
Sharing a strong bond with Lola, Beki reminisces about the days when they were housemates before Carey joined the family. Not a fan of Lola’s fluffy presence indoors, Carey had a cozy oak house built for Lola in the garden by Beki’s carpenter father. During the winter nights, Lola stays warm with the help of microwave heat pads and blankets.
Beki initially purchased Lola as an Easter gift for herself in April 2012 from a local pet store for £75, with an expected lifespan of five years. Surpassing this prediction, Lola celebrated her seventh birthday in December. Growing significantly since Beki welcomed her home at 16 weeks old, Lola’s diet now consists of two bowls of pellets, carrots, apples, greens, veg peelings, and ample hay and grass. Remarkably, Lola has doubled her weight since then, standing as tall as their daughter Emilia when on her hind legs.
A playful and curious pet, Lola enjoys watching the world go by from low-level sills and has been caught chewing on curtains. Known for her mischievous antics, Beki often finds Lola creating chaos by spilling food all over the place. Nowadays, Lola loves engaging in garden chases with Luna, their cockapoo, but remains cautious around Emilia, who is fascinated by Lola’s big ears.
Em Gallagher, a 39-year-old member of the mobile NHS blood and transplant team, calls Newquay, Cornwall her home along with her beloved giant French lop bunny, Ted. Living the single life, Ted stands tall at 3ft 3in and weighs just over 1st (6.7kg).
According to Em, Ted is a local sensation. During their daily walks around the neighborhood, children swarm around Ted for a chance to pet him, while adults eagerly snap photos to share on their social media accounts. Ted’s popularity even led to him having his own Instagram page, @mr.teddy.bun, boasting more than 9,000 followers.
Em welcomed Ted into her life back in June 2018 when he was just nine weeks old, purchased from a breeder for a modest £40. However, providing for Ted’s appetite for hay, blueberries, fresh herbs, and cavolo nero kale costs her around £40 a week.
Ted resides in the five-bedroom house Em shares with a friend. Nestling under her bed at night, Ted enjoys waking her up at 6 am for some cuddles and breakfast. While Em is at work, Ted frolics in the garden to prevent him from munching on house plants and cables.
On her days off, Em volunteers Ted as a therapy bunny at various day-care centers, nurseries, and schools. Ted brings joy to kids with sensory difficulties or anxiety through cuddle sessions. Em also uses Ted’s charm to help bereaved children by taking them on outings to Ted’s favorite beach, where he gets to roam freely.
Sian Nightingale, who is 33 years old and works for the NHS, resides near Nottingham with her husband Craig, who is also 33 years old and works as a brewer, along with their six-year-old daughter Sophia. They also share their home with Oswald, an eight-month-old Continental Giant rabbit who already weighs 1st 1lb and stands at an impressive 2ft 8in tall.
From a young age, Oswald has shown his cleverness as an escape artist. Despite not being fully grown yet, he is already towering over their shih tzu-terrier cross dog and has formed a special bond with Sophia. The two are inseparable, often cuddling on the sofa after school.
Sian and Craig got Oswald from a breeder last August for £75, but they were unprepared for his ability to leap over their 4ft-high garden fence. After a frantic search through the village, they found him just beyond the fence. To prevent further escapes, they raised the fence height and built him a spacious hutch for nighttime.
Oswald enjoys hanging out with the family indoors and nibbling on the garden grass. He has his own favorite spot beside the fridge where his carrots are stored, and he gets along (sometimes not so well) with their two pet ducks. Oswald has become a beloved member of the family, following Sian around the house and gently nudging her for attention.
