BROWN SWISS 77 



breeds of cattle, and seem rather plain and coarse. The back 

 is well developed and the hair abundant and soft. As a rule, 

 the skin is of unusually fine quality. The hind quarters are 

 full, round, and inclined to be distinctly beefy. The cows 

 have large, well-shaped udders with teats of sufficient size 

 to be milked conveniently. Milk veins and milk wells are 

 of medium development. In size the cows reach an average 

 weight -of about 1200 pounds and the bulls from 1600 to 

 2000 pounds. The color varies considerably in shade. 

 They are called brown, but the prevalent color is more of a 

 mouse color. The brown varies from a silver gray or light 

 brown to a dark brown or almost black. The nose, switch, 

 tongue, and horn tips are always black. The mouth is sur- 

 rounded by a mealy ring, and a light stripe is always found 

 along the backbone. Small patches of white on the under 

 line near the udder are not objectionable, but white on other 

 parts of the body is not desirable and in Switzerland dis- 

 qualifies the animal. The uniformity in color markings adds 

 to the attractiveness. The head, neck, and legs may be 

 almost black. 



In disposition this breed is especially good, being quiet 

 and docile and easily handled. There are no distinct types 

 of this breed recognized as is the case with some other breeds, 

 but there is considerable variation in types, depending upon 

 where they were raised and for what purpose. Those raised 

 in the higher altitudes are said to be somewhat smaller than 

 those raised in the valleys. Some herds have been kept 

 largely for the purpose of raising work animals, and this has 

 resulted in these herds being of a larger and coarser type. 



This breed is not very early maturing, ranking about 

 with the Holstein breed or perhaps a little behind in this 



