Overview of Major Dairy Cattle Breeds

Holstein-Friesian

Origin: Netherlands; Largest Dairy Breed; Color: Black and white: recessive gene: red and white, black: switch, belly; Horns: incline forward and curved inward, tapered towards the tips; Large udders; Excellent grazing, early maturity; Bulls: mean and dangerous; Milk Yield: 6577 kg, 1st in Production; 3.5% Milkfat - 5th among breeds.

Brown Swiss

Origin: Switzerland; One of the oldest breed; Color: brown (light or dark), black nose and tongue, dark-blue eye pigmentation (helps to resist extreme solar radiation); Horns: incline and slightly upward, medium and taper towards black tips; Large-framed, quiet, docile; High heat tolerance; Milk Yield: 5488 kg, 2nd in Production; 4.1% Milkfat - 3rd among breeds; Milk is coveted by cheesemakers; Close protein/fat ratio.

Ayrshire

Origin: Ayr, Scotland; Color: Cherry red, brown, and white; Horned-a foot or more in length, curved out and slightly back; Dehorned as calves; Straight lines and well balanced udders; Medium breed, strong, rugged cattle; Vigorous and strong; Excellent grazing ability; "Ideal drinking milk"; Milk Yield: 5307 kg, 3rd in Production; 4% Milkfat - 5th among breeds; Low somatic cell counts.

Guernsey

Origin: Isle of Guernsey, France; Bred from: Fromond du leon and Norman Brindles; Color: Fawn with white markings; Skin: Yellow; Horns are curved outward and to the front, medium and small and yellow on the base; Early maturing breed, adaptable and gentle; High milk flow; Milk Yield: 4808 kg, 4th in Production; 5% Milkfat - 2nd among breeds; "Golden Milk."

Red Sindhi

Origin: Sindh, Pakistan; Color: deep, rich red color to yellowish brown to dark brown; Males are darker; Female: black extremities when mature (head feet tail); Heat resistance and hardiness, tick resistance, disease resistance; Bulls: mean and dangerous; Milk Yield: 1700-3400 kg, 5th in Production; 12-15kg/day.

Sahiwal

Origin: Dry Punjab, Indian-Pakistani border; Junglies-professional herdsman that kept sahiwals; Best dairy breeds in India and Pakistan; Color: reddish brown, amounts of white: neck and underline; Males: darkened heads and legs and tail; Tick resistant, heat tolerant; Docile and lethargic; Milk Yield: 2270 kg, 6th in Production; Heaviest milker of all Zebu breeds.