BREED CHARACTERISTICS 303 



Holstein-Friesian. The Holstein-Friesian breed is a native 

 of Holland. The breed ranks as the largest of the dairy 

 type. Bulls often weigh as much as 1800 to 2000 pounds, 

 the average of the cows being about 1250 pounds. The 

 color is black and white. There is a great variation in this 

 respect, some animals being nearly black and others largely 

 white. There is a tendency to breed more white than 

 formerly. In Holland some herds are characterized by a red 

 and white color, although this is not characteristic or accep- 



FIG. 128. A Holstein-Friesian cow showing a typical side wedge and a well- 

 balanced udder.;| 



table in American herds. The quality of the breed is fre- 

 quently deficient, as indicated in a thick skin, coarse hair, 

 and rough joints. The dairy temperament is not as well 

 developed as in some other breeds. There is a decided 

 tendency to beefiness in some specimens. The body of 

 the Holstein-Friesian is unusually large, giving them great 

 feeding and milk-giving capacity. The udders are large and 

 often pendulous. The breed is characterized by some un- 

 usually large producers. Cases are on record where more 

 than 27,000 pounds of milk has been produced annually. The 



