Alpine

Originally from Switzerland, it became a breed found worldwide under the name Alpine, spreading from France. It has a fine build with a pronounced dairy conformation.

Purebred, it is recommended mainly for intensive and semi-intensive milk production, but it also holds its own in extensive systems, adapts well to grazing and tends to milk through extended lactations. Early-maturing: doelings can be bred at 7–12 months. Milk yield is 600–800 kg, 1000–1200 kg under good conditions.

The face and forehead are broad, the nose line concave, and the ears point sideways or slightly upwards. Short-haired; any shade of brown or black is allowed as base colour, and the polychrome variety is white-patched on brown or black, usually with a black dorsal stripe. Sound legs, clean joints and strong hooves; the udder is capacious and collapses after milking.