What breed is the RPU-Surrey 'cow on car'?

[Sabrina Caldwell]

Hello all,

I am writing to ask for your expert opinions. There is an image of a cow on a car (many of you may have seen it) that I just wrote about for my professional blog on image authenticity. I tried to figure out what cattle breed it was by looking online at a number of websites on cattle breeds, and in the end guessed at it being a Holstein. But because my reputation rests on being credible, and I am not at all confident of my guess because the cow's coat has a large proportion of black and it has short horns when most Holsteins seem to be polled (if I'm using that word correctly), I am seeking help to confirm or correct my guess from a reputable source such as yourselves.

I searched this forum in case it had been discussed already but didn't find any relevant posts, hence this missive. I would be grateful for any advice confirming or correcting my guess. I have attempted to include an image in this post (below) but if it doesn't work properly the URL is https://thephotographicalist.wordpress. ... nd-the-bmw.

 

[branguscowgirl]

Looks like a Holstein to me also. But then again, there are some less popular breeds that I am unfamiliar with.

 

[Nesikep]

In all likelyhood it's a Holstein... Very clearly a photoshopped image considering just the lighting on the cow vs the shadow of the car... and the car not being completely crumpled... And the fact it doesn't look like there's hoofprints, cowpies or other cows around it's a funny one though.

A second thing that would tell me it's a Holstein is that the photoshopper probably searched for a picture of a cow laying down and picked the first one that would work.. Holsteins being the most popular dairy breed would make it very likely.

 

[Sabrina Caldwell]

Thank you very much branguscowgirl and Nesikep for your help, it is much appreciated! My academic sensibilities would not allow me to just keep referring to 'the cow' but equally I didn't want to presume to know more than I do. I have always loved cattle (have a lot of photos of them) but other than a 4H class in high school and a few strolls through Australian paddocks with gentle herds of dairy cattle, I know nothing about them. I feel more confident in my identification now after reading your responses. Thanks!

 

[tja477t]

its a holstein or at the very least a holstein cross. dont let the horns fool ya. very few holsteins are polled. most holsteins are born with horns and the farmers remove them.

 

[regolith]

Depending where the cow originated, she might be a Friesian.
But if you were a Brit writing for a British audience you would describe her as "HolsteinFriesian" anyway, as the two are essentially the same.

She looks to me like she's been badly dehorned at some stage. Most dairy cows don't have horns because they were (correctly) removed when they were calves.

 

[Son of Butch]

Holstein. (you can take it to the bank, guaranteed)

 

[Sabrina Caldwell]

Thank you very much to you all for responding and confirming the breed being Holstein. I've put an acknowledgement to you in my post that reads: "Thanks to branguscowgirl, Nesikep, tja477t, regolith, and Son of Butch from the Breeds Board forum of Cattle Today for their knowledgeable advice and confirmation that the cattle breed is Holstein."

 

[ALACOWMAN]

She's what the average American thinks of as a angus...plus with the horns she's a bull...

 

[Nesikep]

Probably served to them as Angus too

 

[branguscowgirl]

Probably served to them as Angus too

:lol: :lol: You are right Nesi!