This breed is a Heritage livestock breed & is on the livestock conservancy list as watch. The unique appearance of Belted Galloway cattle inspires many questions about their origins. With black, red or dun color sandwiched about a white middle, they are familiarly known as ‘Belties’ among breeders of the animals. Though references to ‘sheeted’ cattle occur in literature and art as early as the 11th Century, the Belted Galloway’s first recorded history indicates that they developed during the 16th Century in the former Galloway district of Scotland, a rugged and hilly seacoast region where hardiness was necessary for survival.
In the Galloway cattle there were originally various markings and colors with the polled characteristic, the coat; soft, wavy, with a mossy undercoat, the conformation and the fine carcass quality setting them apart from other breeds. Winter warmth is provided by the double coat of hair, rather than the layer of backfat most breeds require. Galloways originally were black, spotted, white-faced, red, dun, white and belted. The Beltie as a beef animal produces exceptionally lean and flavorful meat.