Shetland cattle closely resemble the Jersey,
Canadian and Breton breed in conformation but Shetlands are Scandinavian
in origin.
They remained pure until the mid-1800s when
small numbers of Shorthorn, Angus and Highland cattle were introduced
to the Shetland Islands.
In the 1920s, Friesian cattle were imported
which resulted in the existing coloration of the breed of black-and-white
while historically dun and red-pied animals predominated.
Originally these animals were a small, angular
dairy breed with legendary longevity and resistance to diseases.
Over time, and with the introduction of other breeds, they have increased
in size.
The average height for Shetland females is
105 cm with a mature body weight of 325 kg. In the 1970 the
Rare Breed Survival Trust began a restoration program of the breed.
Reference:
Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World, 1985,
MSO-AGVET (Merck & Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J.
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock
Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International.
273 pp.
Photographs:
Richard Storer, Baylham House Rare Breeds
Farm, Suffolk, UK
