Breeds of Dairy Cows

You’ve probably heard me say that we have Holstein dairy cows on our farm. Just like there are different breeds of dogs, cats and other animals, there are different breeds of dairy cows. Holsteins are one of six common breeds of dairy cows.

Holsteins are the most popular type of dairy cows, so that’s usually the type of cow you’ll see in books, movies and magazines. They are most noticeable because they are large and have black and white spots. There also are Holsteins that have red and white spots. Holsteins are known for producing a lot of milk.

Brown Swiss are strong animals with a brown shade to their hide. They still produce white milk.

Guernsey cows also produce a lot of milk. The milk from these cows is often used to make cheese. They have a red and white haircoat.

Ayrshires are smaller than Holsteins, but very strong, and have reddish-brown markings.

Jersey cows are the smallest breed with a brown coat.

Milking Shorthorn cows are medium sized and can be red, white or a mix of both colors.