Switzerland–The English had their bulldogs baiting bulls (outlawed in the 1800s) and the Spanish have their bullfights.  In spring, it’s time for cow fighting in Switzerland.

A special small, black breed, Heréns, found in  Central Valis, and Valle d’Aosta in Northern Italy as well) like [...]]]>

Bikers ride past cows in St. Moritz. Photo by Laurie Borman

Switzerland–The English had their bulldogs baiting bulls (outlawed in the 1800s) and the Spanish have their bullfights.  In spring, it’s time for cow fighting in Switzerland.

A special small, black breed, Heréns, found in  Central Valis, and Valle d’Aosta in Northern Italy as well) like to fight for the chance to lead the herd up the Alpines in the spring.  Sort of a cow beauty queen contest, with locked horns and a lot of head butting involved. 

According to Swiss tourism, “The fights do not take place in organised fashion; each cow simply chooses her opponent on the spur of the moment. She suddenly stops grazing, lowers her head, snorts, and paws the ground with her hooves. If a cow of similar strength accepts the challenge, she wastes no time in informing her opponent in the same manner.” 

Then they start takin’ names and kickin’ butt.  Or rather, butt heads.  They wrangle for a few minutes, and eventually one gives up and turns tail.  The winner will follow aggressively, getting in a last few licks before the contest ends. 

The Swiss also organize a few contests and declare a regional and cantonial queen.  But does she get a tiara?

The cows I encountered on my visit to Switzerland a few years ago were quite docile and not inclined to head butting at all.