The Canadienne is a dairy breed developed in French Canada from cattle imported
back in the XVIIth century from Brittany and Normandy. The Canadienne is the
only breed of dairy cow native to North America. At its origins, it was not the
result of genetic blends and was once exclusively and intimately linked to
Quebec’s terroir*. Today the Canadienne is seriously threatened. It nearly
disappeared entirely due to cross-breeding with the Brown Swiss breed. Very few
purebred animals remain, but a current trend towards the traditonal-type
Canadienne has initiated conservancy and development efforts in regards to its
genetic make-up. Its advancement is primordial to guarantee a future for this
breed of French-Canadian heritage.
* Terroir: A place-based designation, intimately linked with the land, the soil
and climatic conditions.
Origins & History
The founding of Quebec in 1608 marked the beginning of a great adventure for
cattle in Canada. It is likely however that most animals introduced from that
date onwards were destroyed during the siege of Quebec City, between 1629 and
1632. Champlain’s return in 1633 saw bovines permanently reintroduced to this
land, but it appears that the more sizeable imports took place between 1660 and
1670, under the Colbert and Talon administrations. In fact, this period is
characterized by rapid cattle population growth in New France. It seems that
bovine imports ceased after this period in time - probably because they could be
bred, and thereby their numbers multiplied. One interesting hypothesis
concerning the origins of the Canadienne cattle breed was put forth by Laurent
Avon, from L’Institut de l’élevage in France. He states that New France’s
rapidly developed cattle population issued from only a few ports and that
genetic breeding with other different populations did not take place. He equally
contends that Canadienne cattle present a unique case in history. According to
Laurent Avon, cattle of French origins who contributed to the establishment of
livestock in New France would have derived from undefined populations that were
more of a continuum of common genetics on the coastal areas between Guingamp in
Brittany and Cotentin in Normandy - landraces which disappeared long ago. In
truth, due to harsh climate traditional-type cattle would have faced supreme
challenges upon arriving in Canada, and reproduction would have operated on a
natural selection basis, which contributed to making the Canadienne a breed
unique to the Americas, and specific to Quebec.
The Canadienne represented the majority of dairy cattle until 1850, when it began
to suffer from the rivalry of other newly imported breeds. In 1886, when faced
with the menace of extinction of authentic Canadiennes, breeders decided to
create the Canadienne cattle breed’s herd book. Official recognition of the
Canadienne as a breed brought about the establishment of certain specific
standards. In 1850, there were at least 300,000 Canadienne cows, but the breed’s
numbers started to dwindle into significant decline from this point onwards. By
1970, there were but 5,000 to 10,000 cows. In regards to a payment system for
milk based on volume, the Canadienne breed was simply overcome, likely due to
the rivalry of other breeds. In fact, it was during this decade that a
cross-breeding program with the Brown Swiss breed was pushed forward to improve
conformity and production. This program was also supposed to allow the
Canadienne to maintain and even increase its numbers. Assuredly the Canadienne
improved, but the breed’s numbers did not enjoy the success anticipated. In
brief, it appears that cross-breeding results were disappointing. Today the
breed’s numbers fluctuate around 1,000 heads, but most have less than 93.75% of
pure Canadienne blood (percentage required for purebred status), and possess
Brown Swiss genes. Purebred or pure-blooded numbers are inferior to 250 females,
of which fewer than one hundred have never been cross-bred. The Canadienne
cattle breed continues to lose ground and its purebred population is in critical
state, threatened with extinction. In Quebec, several individuals have recently
become aware of the breed’s
historical and
heritage relevance and value. In Charlevoix - where 35% of all purebred
females are found and the population is simply thriving - the purebred breed is
at the heart of a development project involving its milk. Should the Canadienne
breed be able to regain its lost importance is quite improbable, but the breed
could nevertheless find a vocation that guarantees a more promising future for
itself.