Before we begin the review, I would like to extend my gratitude towards Happy Hen Toys for sending this figure along as a review sample. Happy Hen Toys is a U.S. distributor of figures by Safari Ltd, Papo, CollectA, Schleich, and other companies significant to our hobby. In the case of CollectA they’re often the only place that sells their products at a reasonable price within the United States. I’ve bought many products from them in the past and am thrilled that they’re now collaborating with the Animal Toy and Dinosaur Toy Blogs.
Among my favorite figures from Schleich are their cattle (I’ve reviewed several) and so I was elated to hear that another cattle breed would be joining their range in 2023. This year Schleich has released a Galloway cow, a breed that is seldom produced in plastic. The only other Galloway figure that I’m aware of is a long retired black one by Bullyland. Bullyland also produced a belted Galloway figure, but the belted Galloway is considered a separate breed.
Documents place Galloway cattle in southwest Scotland during the 16th century but they’re likely older than that. Originally a dual-purpose breed, the Galloway is strictly a beef breed now. It is renowned for its hardiness, thanks in part to its shaggy winter coat and other adaptations for the windswept moors and uplands from where it was developed. They are also said to be good and protective mothers with a mild disposition.
Galloway cattle are considered a medium sized breed. Cows weigh between 1,000-1,500 lbs. (453-680 kg) and bulls can weigh up to 2,300 lbs. (1,043 kg). Cows stand about 4’ (1.2 meters) tall at the shoulder. The Schleich figure has a head-to-rump length of 5” (12.7 cm) and stands 3” (7.62 cm) tall at the shoulder. This puts it at about 1/16 in scale.
The figure is positioned like most of Schleich’s recent cattle figures. In a mostly static pose with the head looking leftward. Schleich’s tendency to pose its cattle like this might seem boring but I like it for display purposes. It makes it easy to stand them together and compare them.
The figure has a broad face and muzzle, stocky build, and a coat of thick, curly hair. Although ancestral Galloways had horns, the breed is now naturally hornless (polled) and there are no horns sculpted here. The shaggy hair consists of an outer later that protects against adverse weather and an undercoat that keeps the animal warm. These thick coats are shed in the summer.
The shaggy, curly coat is well executed here, as are hints of the animal’s underlying musculature and bulging hips. The face is appropriately adorable and Galloway cattle lend themselves well to Schleich’s cute aesthetic. The mouth is upturned into a little smirk in the corners and it seems like Schleich exaggerates this smile more and more each year.
The coloration on this figure indicates that it represents a white Galloway. According to the Galloway Cattle Society of New Zealand, white Galloway cattle contain genetics from non-Galloway breeds and are a young color variant of the breed, originating in Montana, U.S.A. in the early 1900’s. Most Galloway cattle are brownish black, but they can also be red, or dun. The Schleich figure has a black muzzle, ears, and black socks on the limbs. The eyes are shiny black, and the udder is pink.
The Schleich Galloway cow is a delightful and unique addition to any collection of cattle breeds. I’ve given high marks to all Schleich cattle I’ve reviewed in the past and in the realm of cattle figure I feel like Schleich continues to dominate. That they chose the somewhat obscure white Galloway specifically means it will stand out well in any herd of cattle figures. The Schleich Galloway cow is new for 2023 and widely available. If you’re in the United States you can buy it directly from Happy Hen toys, here.
Wow, this figure is so much-nicer in-hand.
You know, I am starting to wonder if Schleich intentionally ‘cutifies’ their promo pics, so increase pre-sales by distributors? My review samples also look better than in promo pics and less ‘cute’ than promo pics.
…the next time I buy from HHT, this will go into my basket 🙂
Yeah, I think you may be on to something there. All of the figures I’ve seen in-hand look better and less cartoony than their promo pictures suggest. My next review on here will be for the blue poison dart frog and the smirk on that one is quite noticeable, unfortunately.