Groningen Whiteheaded
(most common name in English)

(most common name):
• Groninger Blaarkop
(transboundary/brand name):
• Groningen White-Headed
(local/other name):
• Blaarkop (Belgium)
• Gronings Blaarkop
• Roodblaar
• Roodwitkop
• Zwartblaar
• Zwartwitkop
local/other name (French):
• Groningue
local/other name (German):
• Groninger

The Groningen Whiteheaded is an authentic breed whose influence on the development of the whiteheaded British Hereford is now contested.

In the Netherlands, whiteheaded cattle were the most common color type in the 1500s and 1600s; in 1344, inventory from the Markenhoeft monastery in North Holland province is the first mention of whiteheaded cattle with blazes.

The whiteheaded pattern was still common, especially in Groningen province, even after the cattle plagues of the 1700s.

• 1865 - whiteheaded and blazed cattle bred in Groningen and parts of South Holland province were first described as a distinct type
• 1906 - Groningen Whiteheaded officially recognized as a beef/dairy breed
• 1906, 1907 or 1908 - Groningen Whiteheaded herdbook established (depending on source)
• by 1931 - Groningen Whiteheaded type changed to dairy/beef
• end of 1970s - Groningen Whiteheaded upgraded with Angeln and Holstein bulls
• 1986 - Groningen Whiteheaded Cattle Syndicate (GRS) formed to maintain original dual-purpose and color characteristics
• 1988 - only 25% Groningen Whiteheaded population remain pure

The Groningen Whiteheaded is described as:
• black or red body
• white face with black or red eye blazes
• white socks and underside

The Groningen Whiteheaded is now considered to be ‘at risk’ and ‘endangered maintained’ as a breed.

(Dutch) Zwartwitkop = black with white head
(Dutch) Roodwitkop = red with white head

This page was last updated on: 2024-03-25

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