House cow

[3] House cows are used in locations, usually rural, without convenient access to a supply of commercial dairy products.

[5] Writing for an American audience in 1905, Kate Saint Maur asserted: In fact, the country home without a cow, is like a coach without horses - so hopelessly stuck does the house keeper become who tries to provide a varied bill of fare without dairy produce.

[7] In Australia, house cows were still common enough for the New South Wales government to issue a free booklet on their management and care in 1953.

[8] In the 19th century, Breton cattle, from Brittany, France, were imported into England and promoted as an ideal house cow breed because of their docile nature and small size.

[10] The Dexter cattle breed, which originated in southwestern Ireland, is small, easy-to-keep and suited for milk and meat, is known as 'the poor man's house cow'.