Braunvieh

Braunvieh
Other names
  • Bruna Italiana
  • Brune Suisse
  • Schweizerisches Braunvieh
  • Schwyz
  • Schwyzer
  • Swiss Brown
Country of originSwitzerland
Usedairy
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    average 1050 kg[1]
  • Female:
    average 610 kg[1]
Height
  • Male:
    average 152 cm[1]
  • Female:
    average 135 cm[1]
Notes
originally a triple-purpose breed, for milk, meat and draught
In Melchsee-Frutt, in the canton of Obwalden

The Braunvieh (German, "brown cattle") or Swiss Brown is a breed or group of breeds of domestic cattle originating in Switzerland and distributed throughout the Alpine region.[2]: 44  It falls within the "Brown Mountain" group of cattle breeds.[3]: 142  The Swiss Braunvieh was originally a triple-purpose animal, used for milk production, for meat and for draught work; the modern Braunvieh is predominantly a dairy breed.[4]: 66 

In the latter part of the nineteenth century cattle of this type were exported to the United States, where they were selectively bred for dairy qualities only, and developed into a distinct breed, the American Brown Swiss.[3]: 307 [4]: 66  From about 1960 the Braunvieh was extensively cross-bred with these American cattle, such that over 75% of the genetic make-up of the Swiss Braunvieh is from the American breed. Small numbers of the original breed, unaffected by cross-breeding, are registered as Original Schweizer Braunvieh or Original Braunvieh.[3]: 307 

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