[5] However, genetic analysis has shown it to be not only quite distant from the other German draught breeds,[4][6] but also to be clearly distinguishable from the Salzburg and Carinthian Noriker populations.

[7] In 1906 a stud book was established for horses of Noriker type in the Bayerisches Oberland [de], the upland region of central southern Bavaria that borders with modern Austria.

[8] Like the Noriker, the South German Coldblood is one of the few horse breeds to sometimes display leopard or "tiger" spotting.

[2] The South German Coldblood is particularly susceptible to the bone diseases osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans.

A study of 167 young horses averaging 14 months old found osteochondritic lesions in the fetlock or hock joints of 61.7% of the sample, and osseous fragments in 28.9%.