Galician Blond cattle
Rubia Gallega cattle at Garita de Erbeira, near Cape Ortegal
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| Conservation status | FAO (2007): not at risk |
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| Country of origin | Spain |
| Distribution | Galicia, principally the province of Lugo |
| Standard | MAGRAMA (in Spanish) |
| Use | meat |
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| Skin color | pink |
| Coat | red-blond, wheaten or cinnamon-coloured |
| Horn status | horned |
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The Rubia Gallega, Galician: 'Rubia Galega', is a breed of cattle native to the autonomous community of Galicia in north-western Spain. It is raised mainly for meat. It is distributed throughout Galicia, with about 75% of the population concentrated in the province of Lugo. The coat may be red-blond, wheaten or cinnamon-coloured.
A herdbook was established in 1933. In the twentieth century there was some crossbreeding with the Portuguese Barrosã, Swiss Braunvieh and Simmental, and British Shorthorn breeds.
At the end of 2015 the total registered Rubia Gallega population was 39,971, of which almost all were in Galicia. The breed is distributed throughout the autonomous community, with about 75% of the population concentrated in the province of Lugo. It is found particularly at altitudes above about 550 metres in the mountainous areas in the northern part of the province of Lugo, including the Serra da Carba, the Serra de Lourenzá and the Serra de Xistral.
The Rubia Gallega is primarily a beef cattle breed. The milk is used in the production of Tetilla cheese, which has had Denominación de Origen certification since 1993 and European DOP certification since 1996. The Rubia Gallega has a tranquil temperament and is suitable for draught work; however, it is slow in comparison to oxen of other breeds.
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