Highlands Information
About Highland Cows
The Highland cow is distinguished by its grand and picturesque head, which is most proportionate to the body of the animal.
Key features include:
- Broad Head: The head is broad between the eyes, giving the animal a majestic appearance.
- Forelock: A wide, long, and bushy forelock between the eyes is essential, any bareness detracting from the overall appearance.
- Eyes: Bright and full eyes that display courage, particularly when excited.
- Jaw and Muzzle: Sideways view reveals a proportionate breadth of the jawbones in relation to the width of the head in front. The muzzle is short yet very broad, with fully distended nostrils that indicate strong breeding characteristics.
- Neck: The neck should be clear and without dewlap below, forming a straight line from the head to the shoulder in cows. In bulls, it should feature a distinct crest, typical of all bovine species. This crest gracefully descends to the roots of the horns and is well-coated with wavy hair, enhancing the animal’s masculine appearance.
- Shoulder: The shoulder is another prominent feature, thick and muscular, filling out greatly as it descends from the point to the lower extremity of the forearm. This robust shoulder structure contributes to the overall strength and stature of the Highland cow.
- Back: From behind the shoulder, the back should be fully developed and beautifully rounded, without any sinking or hollow. It should also be straight, with well-rounded and deep ribs.
- Hips and Quarters: When measured across the hips, the breadth should be large. The quarters are well-developed from the hips backwards, with full and well-developed thighs.
- Legs and Hoofs: The legs, both front and rear, should be short and powerful, with strong, broad, straight bones. Hoofs are well-set and large, with legs well-feathered with hair.
- Movement and Style: The Highland cow should be set wide between the forelegs and move with great dignity and style, demonstrating careful breeding and showcasing its distinctive traits.
Temperament
Highland cows are generally known for being docile, friendly, and easy to manage. They have a clear social structure and hierarchy, which means aggressive behavior is rare. Highland cows are also intelligent and can bond with people and other animals. They often enjoy the company of humans and may approach walkers for affection. However, caution should be taken when approaching Highland cows, especially if they have young calves or are around dogs.
Hair
There should be a profusion of long, gracefully waved hair. Curly hair is considered a fault and is less desirable. Exposure to the elements tends to result in more hair growth with less tendency to curl, contrasting with animals that are housed more frequently.
Horns
Bulls: Horns in bulls are strong, coming level out of the head, inclining slightly forwards, and rising towards the points. They add to the majestic appearance of the animal.
Cows: Another type of cow horn comes more level from the head, with a distinctive back-set curve and a wide sweep. This variety is favored by many breeders for its graceful appearance.
Adaptability
Highland cows are adapted by nature to withstand exposure to harsh conditions. They have thick skin, which is essential for their resilience, particularly in challenging environments.
Color
Although the classic image of a Highland cow is red, they also come in shades including yellow, brindle, dun, white, and black (the breed’s original color). A good herd often showcases a mixture of these colors.
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Learn More
Looking to find out more about what’s so special about a miniature cow and the health risks that may be associated with them? Check out these sites:
https://miniature-cattle.com/bd.htm
