Some of the animal one might encounter in the urban
landscape are descendant of animals that used the be kept as a status symbol. The
right of the nobility to keep swans and pigeons is well attested. Furthermore
some breeds were bread especially to populates large estates and parks. As some
of these estates have been encircled by the city, such special breeds of cow,
sheep and deer now beautify the urban landscape.
The belted cattle was bred specifically in the
Netherlands to enliven the surroundings of country houses. They were bred by
crossing Swiss belted cattle with the Burnt (Red) Cattle that grazed the
pastures along the river Issel and Meuse. The distinct pattern was so desired
that is was bred into rabbits, chickens, pigs and goats. These Lakenvelders are
now a rare breed, although these naturally unpolled cattle are very useful. The
Dutch Belted comes in two colours: black and red.
There are several species of swan native to the Low
Countries. The Mute swan is the largest of them and also the species that is
often kept in parks. Most of the birds now in public parks are free to move
around, as it is now illegal to clip their wings (this was common practice to keep the birds
in place). As a symbol for love and tenderness these majestic birds still evoke
strong feelings in most people.
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