Hinterwald

The Hinterwälder (literally "from the backwoods") adopted its name about 150 years ago, when they were distinguished from their somewhat larger sister breed, the Vorderwälder (literally "from the frontwoods"). The scientific name is Bos primigenius f. taurus. == Characteristics ==

The cattle is small. Hinterwald cows are tall and weigh , while Hinterwald bulls are tall and weigh , making them the smallest breed of cattle still extant in Central Europe. The head is mostly white, the remainder of the coat being pied light yellow to dark red-brown. Having been bred to cope with extreme conditions, such as cold winters, steep pastures and a frugal diet, they are well adapted to the Alpine climate. They are used for both beef and milk production and are noted for their thriftiness, longevity and lack of calving difficulties. These qualities have led to a significant rise in the number of Hinterwald cows in the Swiss Alps since the introduction of a breeding programme initiated by ProSpecieRara, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of endangered domestic species. However, the breed is still endangered. The government of Baden-Württemberg pays husbandry bonuses to conserve it. The breed was "Domestic Animal of the Year" (Haustier des Jahres) in Germany in 1992. == Photo gallery ==

File:Hinterwald Cattle Hinterzarten.jpg|Hinterwald heifer at Hinterzarten File:Hinterwälderkuh - liegend.jpg|Hinterwald cow lying down File:Cow suckling.jpg|Hinterwald cow suckling a calf File:Hinterwälder Cow.jpg|Hinterwald cow and calf at Ballenberg, Switzerland == See also ==