If you were told to close your eyes and picture a cow, chances are that the cow would be a Holstein. Holstein cattle are the classic black and white dairy cows, familiar the world over. Of the estimated 9 million dairy cattle in the United States alone, 90% of them are Holsteins or of Holstein decent. It’s no surprise then that the Holstein also produces the most milk of any cattle breed, about 2,900 gallons per cow, per lactation cycle, or 9 gallons of milk per day. The Holstein has its origins in the Netherlands, sometime around the 17th century. Holsteins are also known as Holstein-Friesians, although they’re typically just called Holsteins in North America and Friesians in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Being the most popular dairy cattle breed in the world also means there is an abundance of miniature figures for the discerning toy cattle collector to choose from. Today we’re looking at Schleich’s 2015 Holstein cow.
This is an exciting review for me because although it is my 4th cattle review on the blog, it’s my first cow. All the rest have been bulls and although my collection skews towards bulls I would like it to be dominated by cows, as a real herd ought to be. Since it’s also a Holstein it holds a special place in my heart, since I grew up on a Holstein dairy farm. The abundance of Holstein figures has made me somewhat hesitant in choosing which figure to represent the breed in my collection, because naturally, it had to be the right one. I came across this one at my local Tractor Supply Company and seeing nothing off putting about it decided to pull the trigger and fill in the Holstein gap in my cattle collection.
The Schleich Holstein measures 5” (12.7 cm) from nose to tail and stands 3.25” (7.62 cm) tall at the shoulder. Actual Holstein cows stand 4.8’ (1.4 meters) at the shoulder and on average weigh 1,500 lbs. (680 kg). Bulls are larger, weighing on average 2,200 lbs. (997 kg) and were historically used as oxen. Scaling down the shoulder height the Schleich figure comes in at about 1/18 in scale.
The Schleich cow is presented in a standing posture with the head looking leftward. The face has a gentle and calm expression and isn’t presented as being too cutesy like some of Schleich’s recent figures. All the hallmarks of the Holstein breed are accurately presented here. The face is broad with a wide muzzle, and the body tall with a wedge-shaped rear that optimizes milking. The figure lacks horns and the Holstein breed is almost always polled (hornless). The udder is enormous, appearing swollen, veiny, and ready for the milking stanchion.
The figure is covered in a coat of fine hairs with tighter, curly hair, on top of the head. Creases are sculpted on the left side of the neck where the skin is bunched up. Longer hair is sculpted on the tip of the tail which is attached directly to the udder. Hips are visible under the skin, but the cow appears in peak health overall with a nicely rounded torso. Even the hooves have a nice pitted, layered texture to them. It’s a beautiful figure all around.
The cow is painted with a black and white pattern, as should be expected, but Holsteins can also be all white, all black, or red and white. The muzzle and udder are pink, eyes glossy black, hooves brown, and the end of the tail is tan.
Overall, I am tremendously pleased with my somewhat impulsive purchase of the Schleich Holstein. It’s a beautiful, lifelike, and flawless representation of the Holstein breed. I daresay that this is possibly the best Holstein currently available, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you choose it for your collection. The Schleich Holstein cow is currently in production and retails for about $9.
Wow, this is nice. I don’t have a Holstein yet, but this is one of the best I’ve seen (not crazy about Safari’s to be honest). I also really like the CollectA Friesian (which is a Holstein, for all intent and purposes).
When I started collecting cattle breeds, to avoid going crazy and back-purchasing every breed made, I said I’d only get cattle as they are released, starting in 2019 (coinciding with the start of my non-arthropod ‘synoptic’ collection.
That being said, I also have a policy that anything at a store, museum, zoo is fair game. So, I’ll have to keep my eyes open for this one (since Schleich is what’s likely to be at stores, even in the US).
However, since the Holstein is probably the most commonly-made breed, I would expect a new release or re-release within a couple years…
Looking at ToyAnimalWiki I was surprised to see how many Holsteins just don’t cut it for me. One of those animals that seems to done often but seldom well. I don’t care for the CollectA Friesian, or Safari’s Holstein either.