According to the ARBA Standard of Perfection, there are 7 recognized colors of Flemish Giants. Any color that is not exactly descriptive to that information is therefore deemed non-showable, & will be rejected as a full or pure-blooded Flemish Giant. All of these colors are in a solid pattern only, as a broken pattern is not acceptable. Due to the strict color guidelines of Flemish in America, there are also strict regulation in regards to what colors can be bred to what other colors. Color-breeding, other than those as considered permissible, is greatly disapproved of because it will cause problems in the genetics that determine coloration for many generations. Therefore, when in doubt, follow this one simple rule: only breed same-colors together; or follow the guidelines given in the color-breeding chart, below. (*For a full description of BRC Variety, see the show points & faults section of this site.)
*A special thanks to WEB Rabbitry & Jumpin’ Giants Rabbitry for sharing a lot of images of their amazing Flemish Giants.*
ARBA recognised colors
Sandy
Reddish-brown with dark ticking, brassy reddish colored undercoat with slate-blue undercoat coloring closer to the skin. Ears are laced with black, & a cream-to-white belly & underside of tail, except for crotch-markings. Eyes are to be brown. Faults: Brownish coat, black patches, belly under-color similar to balance of body which is permissible but not desired.
Sandy Flemish Giant
Fawn Flemish Giant
Fawn
Rich golden straw color, undercolor blends to a pale cream next to skin. Belly surface, undercolor, & underside of tail is to be light cream to white; crotch marks are acceptable. Eyes are brown. Faults: Ticking, excessively wide eye circles, light patches on any part of the body, ear lacing, smutty or dirty coloration, reddish belly color.
White
Pure white throughout with pink eyes. Faults: yellow casts & stains
White Flemish Giant
Light Grey Flemish Giant
Light grey
Uniform light grey surface with black tipped guard hairs. Coat is to be agouti with distinct bands visible when blowing into the coat.
Steel grey
Surface color is a black-steel grey with a moderate amount of light grey tipped guard hairs that are evenly distributed throughout the entire body. Belly color should be as white as possible, with the surface color of the tail matching. The undercolor shall be slate blue which is carried all the way to the skin, throughout the entire body, including the belly & tail. Crotch Markings are allowed & eyes are to be brown. Faults: brownish cast, black patches, belly undercolor being similar to balance of body
Steel Gray Flemish Giant
Black Flemish Giant
Black
The surface color must be black with an undercolor of slate blue, & eyes are brown. Faults: ticking or brownish casts
Blue Flemish Giant
Overview Flemish Giant varieties
Blue
A dark blue surface color, slate blue undercolor, & blue-grey eyes. Faults: ticking or brownish casts
*Stray white hairs, shadow bars, off-color on feet & legs – on all varieties except white is a fault.
Color breeding chart
**Regarding of how experienced of a breeder that you are, DO NOT breed any other color combinations than those listed in the middle-section above, & then only do mix-color breedings when you know exactly what is in the bloodlines of both the buck & the doe, because other colors can be ‘hidden’ past the 3rd generation which can pop up in the currently-bred-for litter, as well as future litters & litters of those litters, etc.
SANDY| Breed to: SANDY, FAWN – watch for smutty color and shorter fur resulting | DO NOT Breed TO: Blue, Black, Steel, Light Grey, White
FAWN| Breed to: FAWN, SANDY – watch for smutty color | DO NOT Breed TO: Blue, Black, Steel, Light Grey, White
WHITE| Breed to: WHITE, LIGHT GREY – helps shorten fur length on Whites; watch for mis-matched toe-nails on LG kits | DO NOT Breed TO: Blue, Black, Steel, Fawn, Sandy
LIGHT GREY| Breed to: LIGHT GREY, WHITE – watch for LG kits with mis-matched toe-nails | DO NOT Breed TO: Blue, Black, Steel, Fawn, Sandy
STEEL GREY| Breed to: STEEL, LIGHT GREY – lightens the Steel, BLACK – darkens the steel, make sure there are only blacks, light greys, & steels in that blacks pedigree | DO NOT Breed TO: Blue, White, Fawn, Sandy
BLACK| Breed to: BLACK, STEEL –use blacks with only blacks & steels in their pedigree, BLUE – only use blacks with blues & blacks in the their pedigree | DO NOT Breed TO: Light Grey, White, Fawn, Sandy
BLUE| Breed to: BLUE, BLACK – with only blues & blacks in pedigree | DO NOT Breed TO: Steel, Light Grey, White, Fawn, Sandy