[6][7][8][9][10] The Emden is the oldest goose breed of the area that is now Germany, with origins believed to go back to the thirteenth century.

It derives from the traditional large white geese of the East Frisia region of north-western Germany; these had a long curved neck and so were sometimes known as Schwanengans or "swan geese".

[12] In 2016, the breeding population in Germany consisted of 238 female and 132 male birds.

[11] In 2020, the conservation status of the Emdener was listed in the Rote Liste of the Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen in its Category II, stark gefährdet ("seriously endangered").

[11] The Emden is the heaviest goose breed of Germany: ganders may weigh up to 12 kg, and reach a height of a metre.