![]() Bull | |
Conservation status | FAO (2007): not at risk [1]: 48 |
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Other names | German: Deutsch Angus |
Country of origin | Germany |
Distribution | Germany |
Use |
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Traits | |
Weight | |
Height | |
Coat | solid colour: black or red |
Horn status | polled (hornless) |
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The German Angus ( German: Deutsch Angus) is a modern German breed of beef cattle. It was bred in the 1950s in West Germany by crossing Aberdeen Angus with various native German cattle breeds: the German Black Pied, the Deutsche Rotbunte and the Fleckvieh.
The German Angus was bred in West Germany in the 1950s by cross-breeding imported Aberdeen Angus stock from the United Kingdom with local German breeds; these were the German Black Pied or Deutsches Schwarzbuntes Niederungsrind, the Deutsche Rotbunte or Rotbuntes Niederungsrind, and the Fleckvieh or German Simmental. [3]: 183 Since 1960 there has been some intromission of the American Angus. [2]
In 1955 a breed society was established, [3]: 183 and in 1956 a herd-book was started. [2]
In 2017 the population was recorded as 9603 cows and 454 bulls. [4]
The German Angus is solid-coloured, black, brown or red, and is always naturally polled (hornless). [3]: 183 Compared to the Fleckvieh it matures earlier, calves much more easily and has a higher calving rate, while the calf mortality rate is much lower. A comparative study of recently-weaned calves of the two breeds found the German Angus to be more easily handled and more placid. [3]: 183 It is larger and leaner than the original Scots Angus. [3]: 183
The German Angus is reared principally for beef. [4] It may also be used in vegetation management. [2]