This breed standard was developed from German and Dutch standards where the breed originated and may be used as a guide for judging animals, especially when showing. Please note: contrary to common misconception, black and piebald are acceptable colors within the breed and are accepted variations in both Dutch and German breed standards.
General Appearance
Large-framed, well-developed, proportionately built, not coarse, slightly elongated, wedge-shaped, and of a dairy type. Naturally polled, usually white but may be black or piebald.
The Head
The headline is woolless with fine hair, broad bare muzzle, and pink or black nose. Noble expression with slightly convex face in profile (Roman nose), more pronounced in rams than ewes. Ears are long, thin, and carried forward-directed and in a slightly erect posture. The eyes are large with well-developed lacrimal glands.
Forequarter & Neck
The neck is slightly stretched yet fitting well to the forequarter, covered in wool including the throat. The forequarter is sufficiently well developed, long deep chest, pronounced rib arch and firm rib section, not too heavy or too deep chested. The shoulder is well-connected.
Back & Loin
Spacious with good abdominal development, wedge-shaped in line with the forequarter. The back is long, firm and straight, good connection of the topline to the loins.
Hindquarters
Rump is broad and sufficiently long, slightly sloping but not drooping, thighs with little muscling on the inside.
The Tail
Long, completely non-woolly, may have fine thin short hair. Tail reaches to the hock.
Feet & Legs
Limbs have correct stance, tight ankles, well-muscled legs, not too coarse, non-woolly lower legs, with a sharp distinction between hair and wool. White or black hooves.
Fleece
The coat should be well-crimped, regular, and of good quality. Little to no wool on the belly. No wool on tail, udder, lower limbs, and face. Acceptable colors are white, black, and piebald.
Udder
Fine, glandular, well-developed, wide and long, well-attached in the front and back, and well-placed udder. The udder halves are evenly developed with the central ligament creating a clear distinction without cutting in too much. The teats are symmetrical to each other and sufficiently developed in a cylindrical to conical shape with the canal opening centrally located in the teat tip. Teats are angled downward and may be angled forward-outward. The udder is not woolly.
Discriminations
Inverted eyelids
Rectal or vaginal prolapse
Incisor teeth not meeting dental pad correctly
Disqualifications
Evidence of congenital or hereditary defect including spider lambs or ectodermal dysplasia
One or both testicles not descended or missing, scrotal rupture
Woolly or very hairy tails
Docked tails
Tails shorter than 6 inches above the hock
Any evidence of crossbreeding
Horns or solid scurs
Weight:
Ewes 165-209 lbs
Rams 220-275 lbs
Production per 210-230 day lactation:
2-4 years old: 132-159 gallons (500-600 liters), 5.8% fat, 5.0% protein
5 years & older: 185 gallons (700 liters), 6.0% fat, 5.2% protein
Farm Arcadia 