The Vorderwald (german: Vorderwälder Rind, italic=no) is a cattle breed originating from the
Black Forest
The Black Forest (german: Schwarzwald ) is a large forested mountain range in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany, bounded by the Rhine Valley to the west and south and close to the borders with France and Switzerland. It is t ...
(
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
).
History
The so-called "Wald Cattle" (''Wäldervieh'') were mentioned for the first time in 1544. The Vorderwälder (literally "from the frontwoods") adopted its name when they were distinguished from their somewhat smaller sister breed, the
Hinterwälder (literally "from the backwoods"). A herdbook was established in 1896. After 1960, there was some crossbreeding with
Ayrshire cattle
The Ayrshire (IPA ) is a Scottish breed of dairy cattle. It originates in, and is named for, the county of Ayrshire in south-western Scotland. Ayrshires typically have red and white markings; the red can range from a shade of orange to a dark ...
.
Characteristics
They are reputed to be long-lived with strong legs and feet allowing them to graze on the mountains. The head and legs are generally white and the body has red, brown or even black patches or spots. They have forward curving horns. Cows are typically 135 cm tall at the withers and weigh about 600 kg. Bulls are typically 150 cm tall at the withers and weigh about 1050 kg.
Population
In 2004 there were 4826 females in the herd book with numbers slowly declining.
See also
*
Hinterwald
The Hinterwald () is an old local breed of cattle from the Black Forest (Germany). There are breed associations in Germany and one in Switzerland.
Etymology
The Hinterwälder (literally "from the backwoods") adopted its name about 150 years ago ...
(Hinterwälder Rind)
*
Black Forest
The Black Forest (german: Schwarzwald ) is a large forested mountain range in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany, bounded by the Rhine Valley to the west and south and close to the borders with France and Switzerland. It is t ...
*
Black Forest Horse
The Black Forest Horse (german: Schwarzwälder Kaltblut, italic=no) is an endangered German breed of light draft horse from the Black Forest of southern Germany.
History
Horse breeding in the Black Forest – in what is now Baden-Württembe ...
(Schwarzwälder Kaltblut)
Photo gallery
File:Noe vorderwaelder.jpg
File:Vorderwaelder stehend.JPG
File:Vorderwälder - panoramio (1).jpg
References
Black Forest
Cattle breeds originating in Germany
Cattle breeds
Animal breeds on the GEH Red List
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