Abondance cattle

Abondance
Conservation status
  • FAO (2007): not at risk:143
  • DAD-IS (2024): not at risk
Other names
  • Chablaisienne
  • Pie Rouge Française de Montagne
Country of originFrance
Distribution
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    1000 kg
  • Female:
    580 kg
Height
  • Male:
    146 cm
  • Female:
    133 cm
Coatred with white head, belly, lower legs and tail switch; red patch round the eye
Horn statuslight, black-tipped
  • Cattle
  • Bos (primigenius) taurus

The Abondance is a French breed of dairy cattle. It originated in the high valleys of Haute-Savoie and shares its name with the commune and valley of Abondance and the former canton of Abondance in that region. Its area of origin lies within the former Chablais province of the Duchy of Savoy, and until the late nineteenth century it was for that reason known as the Chablaisienne.

It is distributed principally in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and is well adapted to rough grazing on mountain terrain. It is the fourth-most numerous French breed of dairy cattle; most of the milk produced is used to make Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée cheeses such as Abondance and Reblochon.