What is a Scottish Highland cow? (Highland Cow)
The Scottish Highland (English: Highland cow) originates from Scotland. Although it is a truly Scottish breed, the Scottish Highland is also found in the Netherlands and in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Australia. Highland cowhides come in various colors; they are usually reddish-brown, but Highland cows can also be black or blond. The color white is very rare.
What are characteristics of Scottish Highlander cows?
The Scottish Highlander is a fairly small breed with a short and broad physique. The Highlander is also known as a hardy breed. The animal can withstand well the rougher nature in the highlands with lots of rain and strong winds. This is because the animals have a double coat. In the summer this coat is thinner and in the winter the coat becomes thicker so they stay warm in winter, even in countries where the winters are colder than in Scotland. In the Netherlands, the Scottish Highlander is therefore widely used in the maintenance of nature reserves. The animals also need little care and are not aggressive.
A bull weighs about 800 kilograms and can be identified by its horns. In the bull, the horns curl downward. A cow weighs about 500 kilograms. The Highlander cow can be recognized by its horns standing up. Highlanders can reach an age of about 18 years. During that time, a cow can have up to 15 calves! A calf weighs about 30 kilograms at birth.
The history of the Scottish Highlander
Scottish Highlanders have been walking around since the 6th century (year 501 to 600). Of the time before that, unfortunately, no records are known. Originally there were two types, the Kyloes were small and black in color. The Kyloes were mainly associated with the West of Scotland and the islands. The second type was mainly found in the Highlands, it was larger than the Kyloes and had a red coat. Today these are known together as Scottish Highlanders.
The Scottish Highlander Register (the studbook) was established in Scotland in the year 1885. Written sources of the breed do go back to the 18th century (year 1701 to 1800).
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