Braunvieh means "brown cattle" in German. Brown
cattle found in the mountains of Switzerland during the 17th century formed the
basis for the modern Braunvieh. They are gaining recognition as a breed for
moderate frame, calving ease, and excellent disposition, efficiency in the
pasture and in the feed yard.
Braunvieh are various shades of brown ranging from light
brown with gray to very dark brown. The border of the muzzle is very light, as
is the poll, and often a lighter colored dorsal stripe is seen. The udder and
inside of the legs and underline also being the lighter shade.
Darker, smokier shading is often evident around the
shoulders and neck compared to the rest of the body. The switch of the tail is
dark brown to black. The skin is pigmented, the muzzle is black, and the hooves
are dark and very hard.