Arouquesa
{{Short description|Cattle breed from Portugal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox cattle breed
| name = Arouquesa
| image = Arouquesa2.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = A bull
| image2 = Arouquesa Kuh1.jpg
| image_size2 =
| image_alt2 =
| image_caption2= A cow
| status = {{ubl|FAO (2007): not at risk{{r|barb|p=92}}|DAD-IS (2025): at risk/vulnerable{{r|dad}}}}
| altname = {{ubl|Canavese|Caramuleiro|Paivoto|Serrano|Sulano}}
| country = Portugal
| distribution = {{ubl|Aveiro|Braga|Porto|Viseu}}
| standard =
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| weight =
| maleweight =
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| subspecies = taurus
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The Arouquesa is a Portuguese breed of triple-purpose cattle.{{r|cabi|p=113|felius|p2=291|ass|sprega}} It is used for draught work, although less so than in the past, is reared for beef, and has some dairy qualities.
Beef from cattle reared by traditional methods within a specified area of northern Portugal has Denominação de Origem Protegida status and may be marketed as Carne Arouquesa DOP.{{r|dgav2}}
History
It is distributed mainly in the districts of Aveiro, Braga, Porto and Viseu in northern Portugal, with the largest numbers in the concelhos of Arouca, Castelo de Paiva, Castro Daire, Cinfães, Resende, Sao Pedro do Sul and Vale de Cambra south of the Douro, and Amarante, Baião and Marco de Canaveses to the north.{{r|dgav|p=15}}
Characteristics
The cows reach a height of {{convert|1.23|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the bulls {{convert|1.36|m|ft|abbr=on}}, so the Arouquesas can be described as small. The breed's weight is around {{convert|360|–|430|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Their hair colour is light brown although the males may become a little darker than females. Mucosa and claws are dark coloured. The wide horns are directed forward, first down and then up.{{r|felius}}
Arouquesas are adapted to the mountains - their hind legs are very muscular. In Portugal today they still work as draught cattle. In the past century oxen often were exported to Great Britain because of their beef. In 1902 Arouquesa beef was the winner of the "Award for the Best Beef" in Paris. The animals are very long-living; 16–18 calves per cow are not uncommon. Most times they practice mother cow husbandry. The animals are very affable but active.{{r|cabi|p=113}}
References
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{{Cattle breeds of Portugal}}
Category:Cattle breeds originating in Portugal
Category:Portuguese products with protected designation of origin
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