The Hinterwald cattle breed is an old local cattle breed from the Black Forest. It is a dual-purpose cattle breed bred for both milk and meat production.
Today it is the smallest cattle breed in Central Europe. Pro Specie Rara has been developing a pet care program since 1983.
Pro Specie Rara is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of endangered animal species. And Swiss Breeding Society of the Hinterwald was founded in 1988.
The Swiss Breeding Society Hinterwald now organizes a whole breeding program under its own direction. The constitution of a studbook and a studbook is a real central part of his work.
The Hinterwald cattle breed was named “Pet of the Year” in Germany in 1992. Read more about the breed in the following table.
Characteristics of Hinterwald cattle
Hinterwald cattle are small animals. They are pale yellow to speckled red, variegated or plain. They have a white head, often with eye patches.
Bulls and cows usually have horns. The height of cows is about 118 cm at the withers, bulls are about 125 cm.
Cows weigh on average about 380 kg. And the average live weight of sexually mature bulls is about 480 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.
Advantages
Hinterwald cattle are dual purpose animals. They are used for the production of milk and meat.
Special Notes
Hinterwald cattle are strong and hardy animals. They are well adapted to almost any climate, especially alpine climates.
They were bred to cope with extreme conditions such as cold winters, steep pastures and a frugal diet. They are well known and recognized for their longevity, frugality and lack of calving difficulties.
These qualities have led to a significant increase in the number of Hinterwald cows in the Swiss Alps.
Hinterwald cattle are tough, healthy and easy to enjoy animals that have undergone a centuries-old selection process on extreme slopes with scarce food resources.
Cows are fairly good milkers relative to their body size. The breed is also characterized by a fine fiber pulp. See the full breed profile of Hinterwald cattle in the following table.
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| Breed name | Hinterwald | |
| another name | German: Hinterwälder-Rind | |
| Purpose of the breed | Dual purpose, milk and meat | |
| Special Notes | Excellent foragers, good dairy, good meat, calm nature, well adapted to the local climate. | |
| Breed size | Little | |
| Bulls | About 480kg | |
| cows | About 380kg | |
| climatic tolerance | native climate | |
| coat color | Pale yellow to mottled, variegated or solid red | |
| horned | Yes | |
| milk production | Good | |
| scarcity | general | |
| Country/place of origin | Germany |
