The Dutch Belted (Lakenvelder) breed of cattle is, according to records, the only belted breed of cattle tracing back directly to the original belted or "canvassed" cattle which were described in Switzerland and Austria. These "Gurtenvieh" were evidently moved by Dutch nobility from the mountain farms of Canton Appenzell and Tyrol Mountains during or soon after the feudal period. The Dutch were very protective of their belted cattle and would generally not part with them. The cattle were highly prized for their milking and fattening abilities. The breed began to flourish in Holland around 1750.

References

Professor Raymond Becker, Dairy Cattle Breeds: Origin and Development (ISBN 0813003350)

External links

• Dutch Belted Excerpt above from Oklahoma State University
• Red and black Dutch Belted cattle photo around Schokland