The History of Galloway Cattle
Galloway cattle are one of Scotland’s oldest native breeds, originating in the hill country of southwestern Scotland, where they have been raised since at least the 16th century. These hardy, polled cattle thrived in harsh, wet, and cold conditions, making them well-suited to the region’s rugged landscapes and, later, the harsh Canadian winters.
Over the centuries, breeders refined the breed for resilience, compact size, and a thick, double-layered coat. The traditional solid-colored Galloways found in black, red, and dun formed the foundation of the breed and have been prized for their high-quality beef for centuries.
Records show that the Belted Galloway appeared in Scotland in the late 18th century. This variety likely originated from early crossbreeding with Dutch cattle and was formally recognized as a separate type in the early 20th century. Recognizable by a wide white belt around the midsection, Belted Galloways are affectionately known as “Belties” and are often the first image that comes to mind when the Galloway breed is mentioned.
The most recent addition to the Galloway breed is the White Galloway. These cattle are characterized by predominantly white coats with black points, typically on the ears, eyes, nose, and feet. It is believed that the crossbreeding that resulted in the White Galloway took place in the early 20th century.
The History of Galloway Cattle in Canada
Galloway cattle have a long-standing presence in Canada, tracing back to the 1850s when solid Galloways were first imported from Scotland. Prized for their hardiness and ability to thrive in harsh climates, by the 1860s Galloway herds began to appear throughout Ontario and Eastern Canada. Galloways quickly proved well-suited to the rugged Canadian environment. Their thick, double-layered coat made them especially adaptable to cold winters, reducing the need for shelter and supplemental feeding. By the early 1900s, Galloway herds had started to develop in Western Canada.
In 1952, the first Belted Galloway herd was imported into Quebec and, similar to the popularity of the solid Galloways, began to appear across the country.
Changes in the cattle industry throughout the mid-1900s saw a shift toward more commercial breeds, resulting in a decline in the number of Galloway herds across Canada.
In recent years, producer demand for a hardy breed suited to regenerative grazing operations, combined with consumer demand for high-quality beef, has led to a resurgence in their popularity.