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The Norwegian “Bygdedyret”

The Norwegian “Bygdadyret” (latin "sceptiscus introvertus") is the result of joint breeding in smaller settlements. At the end of the 1900s it was widespread in many parts of the country.

Today the breed is found in every county, with the larger populations in Hordaland and Rogaland. The animals are most commonly black in the coat, but red-brown animals may also occur. There can be large differences between black and brown, ranging from almost black with a white stripe across the back. to an almost completely brown animal with a few red stripes on the side. A complete agreement on a common standard for the racial “bydgdadyret” has never been set because of skepticism.  Many claim that the standard of the animal should be light blue with a big chest and short hind legs that help it to retreat effectively if needed.

 

Today we see more variations of the breed, and in the end of 2012 a small research group will finish there goal to identify the breed and produce a written national standard. It is also desirable to have greater knowledge about this old Norwegian breed, as a greater understanding of how the place could have bred a new perspective on its prevalence. The Norwegian “Bygdedyret” is hard to spot as it is naturally shy and precautious around other animals and people, especially the extroverted.

 

 

Text: "Old Norwegian society breeds, partly threatened by the change in life patterns and migration to smaller settlements at the national level."