Salers (pronounced Sa'Lair) are a large European cattle breed that originated in the Auvergne region of southern France. Salers are an ancient breed of cattle with cave paintings at Lascaux of a similar type of animal suggesting this breed may originate from 17,000-year-old ancestors, though the actual standardised breed is about 700 years old. While they are primarily a beef producer, in France it is not uncommon for them to still be milked for cheese production. They are a very intelligent and proud breed that, despite growing to be in excess of 900 kilos for cows and 1,200 kilos for bulls, move incredibly gracefully due to their height and well-structured framing. Salers also boast an incredibly successful (96%) unassisted birth rate. This is despite producing calves that can be over 40kg. Salers' calves are also very active and successful sucklers with Salers cows having very functional udders positioned high out of harm's way. Salers cows are very maternal which means great defence of their calves, but can make for some difficulties when first trying to check and weigh their newborns. Salers bulls are also known to be very docile but can have quite a high libido. While this is great for fertility rates, it does mean that they can often be difficult to separate out of a herd once they are with females. Salers can have a black or red coat.