Red List 2025: Around 60% of our livestock breeds are endangered

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The new Red List of Endangered Livestock Breeds 2025 shows that more and more old domestic and livestock breeds are disappearing in Germany. Of a total of 208 native breeds—including large animals such as horses, cattle and sheep, as well as rabbits and poultry—123 are considered endangered. That is around 60%. The situation is particularly critical for horses, sheep and rabbits, but numerous poultry breeds are also at risk.

The list is published by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Technical support is provided by the Information and Coordination Center for Biological Diversity (IBV), which determines the classifications together with the Advisory Board for Animal Genetic Resources. Experts from science, animal breeding, the federal government and the federal states work closely together on this committee.

Distribution by animal species

In the current Red List 2025, poultry breeds are recorded in greater detail. It distinguishes between breeds that originated in Germany and those introduced after 1949 that are now considered established native breeds. In addition, two donkey breeds—the German Donkey and the Thuringian Forest Donkey—were recognized as native for the first time; both are currently considered “not endangered.”

In total, the list includes 83 large animal breeds (horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and donkeys), of which 59 are endangered, as well as 125 small animal breeds (poultry and rabbits), of which 64 are at risk.

• Horses (28 breeds): 14 not endangered, 5 observation populations, 3 conservation populations and 6 phenotypic conservation populations. Rare breeds include the Beberbecker, Lehmkuhlen Pony, Rottaler and Schleswig Coldblood.
• Cattle (21 breeds): 1 phenotypic conservation population (Ansbach-Triesdorfer), 7 conservation populations (including Rotes Höhenvieh and Pinzgauer), 7 observation populations and 6 not endangered.
• Pigs (5 breeds): 1 conservation population (Leicoma) and 4 observation populations (including Bunte Bentheimer, Deutsches Edelschwein and Deutsche Landrasse).
• Sheep (24 breeds): 5 conservation populations, 17 observation populations and 2 not endangered. Rare breeds include the Brillenschaf, Black and Brown Mountain Sheep, and the White Horned Heath Sheep.
• Goats (3 breeds): All three—the Bunte Deutsche Edelziege, Weiße Deutsche Edelziege and Thuringian Forest Goat—are observation populations.
• Donkeys (2 breeds): German Donkey and Thuringian Forest Donkey, both currently not endangered.

Among the 125 small animals, the greatest diversity is in poultry:

• Chickens (61 breeds): 6 breeds extremely endangered (including Bergischer Schlotterkamm and Hamburger Goldlack), 18 strongly endangered (including Krüper, Minorca and Andalusian), 11 endangered (including the Saxon chicken, Orloff and Naked Neck chicken), and 26 under observation and currently not endangered.
• Ducks (14 breeds): 1 extremely endangered (Crook-billed Duck), 3 strongly endangered (Aylesbury Duck, German Campbell Duck and American Pekin Duck), 4 endangered (including the Pomeranian Duck and Muscovy Duck), and 6 under observation and currently not endangered.
• Geese (11 breeds): 3 strongly endangered (Lippe Goose, German Laying Goose and Steinbach Fighting Goose), 4 endangered (including the Sebastopol Goose and Diepholz Goose), and 4 under observation and currently not endangered.
• Turkeys (5 breeds): 1 extremely endangered (German White Turkey), 1 strongly endangered (German Black Turkey), 2 endangered (German Land Turkey and Bronze Turkey), and 1 under observation and currently not endangered (Cröllwitz Turkey).
• Pigeons (4 breeds): 1 strongly endangered (Steinheimer Bagdette) and 3 under observation and currently not endangered (Coburg Lark, Lynx Pigeon and Strasser).

The rabbits are also severely affected:

• Rabbits (30 breeds): 4 extremely endangered (Angora, English Lop, Fox Rabbit and Marten Rabbit), 3 strongly endangered (Harlequin, Lux Rabbit and Meissner Lop), 2 endangered (German Large Silver and Rhinelander), and 21 under observation and currently not endangered.

Despite the many warning signs, there have also been positive developments: thanks to growing populations, the Murnau-Werdenfelser cattle and Glan cattle were moved from the “conservation population” category to the “observation population” category.

Red List 2025: Particularly endangered livestock breeds

Horse breeds: half are endangered

Around half of Germany’s native horse breeds are now considered endangered or critically endangered. Six breeds are assigned to the “phenotypic conservation population” category in the 2025 Red List. This is a special category for old breeds of great cultural importance whose original breeding population was extremely small, that were extensively crossbred with other breeds or that survived in only tiny numbers for many generations. Such breeds are extremely rare—they are no longer managed through conventional conservation breeding programs but are bred solely for their characteristic appearance and traits:

• Beberbecker—one of Germany’s rarest horse breeds. With only one mare and five stallions, the breed’s continued survival is highly uncertain.
• Lehmkuhlen Pony—a calm, easy-going pony well suited to families and therapeutic riding. Nevertheless, only eight breeding stallions and 14 mares remained in 2023.
• Leutstettener—a Bavarian warmblood breed from Leutstetten Stud near Munich. Only one stallion and 15 mares of this versatile breed remain.
• Palatinate Ardennes Draft Horse—a powerful workhorse once indispensable for forestry and fieldwork in the Palatinate, now preserved solely as cultural heritage.
• Rottaler—one of the oldest Bavarian horse breeds. The population is extremely small with around 30 broodmares and fewer than five stallions.
• Senner—considered Germany’s oldest horse breed. It originates in the Senne region of North Rhine-Westphalia and survives only as a tiny phenotypic conservation population.

A major reason for the decline of old horse breeds is the loss of traditional uses. Horses, once indispensable in agriculture, the military, transport and forestry, lost their role with the mechanization that began in the mid-20th century. In addition, breeding and the market now focus on a few high-performance breeds—such as Hanoverians, Holsteiners and German Riding Ponies. As a result, many old warmblood and coldblood breeds have been marginalized and are now rarely bred.

Sheep: Almost all breeds threatened

The situation for sheep is extremely worrying. Of 24 native sheep breeds, only two—Nolana and Brown Hair Sheep—are not considered endangered. This means that almost the entire diversity of German sheep breeds is at risk. Four breeds even had to be moved to a higher risk category in 2025:

• Brown Mountain Sheep (conservation population): The population is declining sharply. This robust, medium-sized sheep has fine wool and adapts well to sparse high-mountain habitats.
• Merino Longwool (conservation population): Known for its very fine, long wool and its resilience in regions with high rainfall.
• White Horned Heath Sheep (conservation population): Essential for maintaining moorland and heathland, but declining breeding numbers threaten the breed’s survival.
• German Mutton Merino (observation population): One of Germany’s most important commercial breeds, valued for both wool and meat production—but now classified as endangered for the first time.

There are many reasons for the decline. Sheep farming is decreasing across Germany; many smaller farms are closing, causing entire breeding lines to disappear. In addition, animal diseases such as bluetongue further weaken populations. Finally, wolf attacks could pose a growing threat, especially to smaller flocks, and make sheep husbandry more difficult.

Over half of chicken breeds endangered

Of all types of poultry, chickens are the most severely affected. The Red List 2025 includes a total of 61 native large-fowl and bantam breeds, more than half of which are classified as endangered. The situation is particularly critical for traditional breeds such as:

• Bergischer Schlotterkamm: One of the oldest German chicken breeds and now “extremely endangered”. It was primarily kept as a layer breed and is known for its large eggs.
• Brabanter: These crested chickens are “extremely endangered” according to the new Red List. They are considered reliable laying hens that consistently produce eggs over many years.
• Houdan: Also “extremely endangered”. The breed, which comes from France, has also been bred in Germany since the 1860s and is one of the most characteristic European crested chickens.

Preserving old chicken breeds is not only a matter of tradition but also of safeguarding the future. They are often significantly more resilient to climatic and environmental stress, possess regional adaptations—such as the Saxon chicken’s resistance to cold—and embody cultural history closely linked to regional landscapes and traditions.

Ducks: 8 of 14 breeds threatened

There are currently 14 native duck breeds recognized in Germany. The Red List 2025 makes it clear: More than half of them are endangered—only six breeds are still in the observation population. The situation is particularly critical for traditional breeds that have almost disappeared:

• Crook-billed Duck: Documented in the Netherlands as early as the 17th century, this breed is distinguished by its characteristically curved bill. It is extremely rare and, despite its limited importance as a meat duck, produces high-quality, flavorful meat.
• Aylesbury Duck: Once an important meat duck with a characteristic pink bill, it originated in England and was also bred in Germany. Today it is considered “strongly endangered”—its population is so small that it would be unlikely to survive without dedicated breeders.
• Orpington Duck: Originally bred in Great Britain, it is considered “endangered.” The breed is valued for its good meat yield and calm temperament.
• Pomeranian Duck: A robust, hardy breed from northern Germany. It is also “endangered” because demand continues to decline.

Why are fewer ducks being bred today? One important reason is the change in poultry farming: while ducks were once a standard part of mixed farms, breeding now focuses heavily on chickens. In addition, industrially produced Pekin ducks from large-scale fattening operations dominate the market. Old breeds, by contrast, grow more slowly, produce less meat and are therefore considered unprofitable for mass production. Many traditional duck breeds also require ponds or other bodies of water, which have disappeared with the decline of extensive pond farming. Finally, awareness is lacking: while “organic chicken” is now firmly established in consumers’ minds, old duck breeds remain largely unknown—and demand for their products is correspondingly low.

Duck breeds still perform important functions today. They safeguard genetic diversity in agriculture because they possess traits such as hardiness and disease resistance. Many are true dual-purpose animals, providing both high-quality meat and eggs. Their foraging and grazing behavior also helps keep wetlands open, thereby promoting species diversity in pond landscapes. Finally, they form part of our cultural heritage: breeds such as the Pomeranian Duck and Saxon Duck represent regional agricultural history and a diversity that must be preserved.

Rabbits: From livestock to pets

The 2025 Red List includes 30 native rabbit breeds. Nine are considered endangered, including four classified as “extremely endangered”:

• Angora Rabbit: Known in Germany since the 18th century for its fine, exceptionally warm and lightweight wool—ten times warmer and four times lighter than sheep’s wool. Once a sought-after luxury material, it is now being displaced by cheap imported wool and synthetic fibers. At the same time, the number of breeders is declining. To safeguard the breed, semen from Angora rabbits is to be stored for the first time in the German Gene Bank for Farm Animals.
• English Lop: An old breed with characteristically long, drooping ears. Once popular as a show and hobby breed, it has now almost disappeared because it plays no role in meat or fur production.
• Fox Rabbit: With its long, fox-like coat, it was originally bred for the fur trade. Declining demand for real fur deprived the breed of its economic basis.
• Marten Rabbit: Recognizable by its dark coat, which resembles marten fur. This breed was also once kept for fur and has now almost disappeared.

For centuries, rabbits were bred primarily for meat and fur. Some breeds, such as the Angora Rabbit, also produced high-quality wool. Rabbits were also important in pedigree and exhibition breeding—and, of course, they remain popular pets.

The threats facing many breeds are primarily linked to changing economic and social conditions. German demand for rabbit meat and fur has declined sharply. Cheap imports and synthetic fibers are displacing products from traditional breeds. At the same time, the number of active breeders and clubs has been falling for years, causing entire breeding lines to disappear. In addition, many people now see rabbits almost exclusively as pets—overlooking the great diversity of old livestock breeds at risk of disappearing.

Why are livestock breeds becoming extinct?

The disappearance of old livestock breeds has little in common with the extinction of wild species. Instead, it is primarily the result of economic and structural changes in agriculture.

A key factor is industrial agriculture: a few high-performance breeds dominate the market. Today, dairy cattle are bred for maximum milk yield and beef cattle for rapid growth and high meat yield. Old dual-purpose breeds, which combined both traits to a moderate degree, are considered uneconomical and are gradually disappearing.

Another factor is market pressure. Consumers demand cheap, standardized products. Uniform eggs, fast-growing meat poultry and highly specialized dairy farming fit this pattern—diversity becomes less important.

The loss of traditional agriculture also plays a role. In the past, many small farms kept regional breeds adapted to the local climate, landscape and culture. As these farms disappear, so do the animals and the knowledge required to keep and breed them.

The decline in active breeders is also of great importance. The number of breeders of rabbit and poultry breeds has fallen drastically in recent years—for rabbits alone by more than 20% since 2019. Without dedicated breeding communities, entire breeds can be lost within a few years.

Consumer behavior should not be underestimated either. Demand for cheap, standardized products reinforces the trend: old breeds are considered less profitable, even though they are generally hardier, longer-lived and better adapted to local conditions. At the same time, there is little awareness that their genetic diversity represents an important resource for the future of agriculture.

Livestock breeds are not dying out because they cannot survive in the wild, but because our economic systems and consumption patterns have changed—leaving little room for diversity.

More than just a hobby: Why are livestock breeds important?

Old livestock breeds are far more than “hobby animals.” They are a vital part of our biological diversity and cultural heritage. The extinction of old livestock and domestic animal breeds is not only a loss for agriculture but also affects nature, culture and food security.

• Genetic diversity: Traditional breeds are often hardier and more resistant to disease, climate extremes and feed shortages. In a changing climate, these traits can be crucial to developing new, more adaptable breeds.
• Cultural heritage: Breeds such as Rotes Höhenvieh, the Saxon chicken and the Heath Sheep have shaped landscapes and regional identities for centuries. Preserving them also preserves traditions and cultural landscapes that have evolved over time.
• Food security: A broad genetic base is essential when specialized high-performance breeds reach their limits—for example when faced with new animal diseases or extreme environmental conditions. Old breeds provide a genetic safety net for agriculture.
• Ecosystem services: Many breeds make valuable contributions to landscape management: sheep maintain species-rich nutrient-poor grasslands, cattle and horses prevent pastures from becoming overgrown, and pigs such as the Bunte Bentheimer even promote the germination of rare plants by rooting in the soil.
• Benefits for nature conservation: Grazing projects using old breeds such as the Alpine Steinschaf or the Rottaler horse combine livestock breeding with nature conservation. The animals manage the land naturally and create habitats for endangered species.

Preserving old domestic and livestock breeds does not necessarily have to depend on conventional commercial use. They can also be integrated into sustainable circular systems where they promote biodiversity and stabilize ecosystems. At the same time, they safeguard unique genetic diversity that is essential to stable, sustainable agriculture, especially in an era of climate change and mounting global crises.

What can we do?

Preserving old livestock breeds is not solely the responsibility of breeders and farmers—policymakers, society and consumers can also make an important contribution:

• Buy a diverse range of products: Buy meat, milk, wool or eggs from old breeds directly from producers or at farmers’ markets. This restores the animals’ economic value and makes breeding them more attractive.
• Use funding programs: Many federal states pay premiums for keeping endangered breeds. Farmers can be supported if they consciously focus on diversity.
• Support breeding associations and initiatives: Membership fees, donations and volunteer work help sustain small breeding communities.
• Strengthen ex situ conservation: Gene banks and semen banks—for example at FLI Mariensee—preserve genetic material for the future. This is an important safeguard in the event of a sudden population collapse.
• Raise awareness: Old breeds need greater visibility—for example on Ark farms, in educational projects, in the media and on social networks. The more people know about them, the greater the support for their conservation.
• Promote education and research: School farms, universities and research projects can integrate old breeds into education and science—and thus show that they can also have a future in modern agriculture.

It’s not just wild animals that are disappearing

The Red List of Endangered Livestock Breeds 2025 shows that extinction does not affect wild animals alone. Diversity is also being lost on German farms. With every breed that disappears, we lose not only genetic resources but also a piece of cultural history, regional identity and security for the future of agriculture.

But there is reason for hope. Many of these animals can be preserved through targeted breeding programs, the use of old breeds in sustainable agriculture and nature conservation projects, and conscious consumer choices. Every purchase of products from endangered breeds, every visit to an Ark farm and every contribution to a breeding initiative is a step toward greater diversity.

Preserving old livestock breeds also contributes to nature conservation, climate adaptation and the future of our food supply. By protecting these breeds, we help preserve resilient ecosystems and vibrant cultural landscapes.

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Source

• Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE) (Hrsg.) (2025): Einheimische Nutztierrassen in Deutschland und Rote Liste gefährdeter Nutztierrassen 2025. Informations- und Koordinationszentrum Biologische Vielfalt (IBV), Bonn. Stand: September 2025. https://www.genres.de/fachportale/nutztiere/rote-liste-nutztierrassen