By the late 1930s it was present not only in Dalarna but in Bohuslän, Dalsland, Gästrikland, Hälsingland, Närke, the Stockholm archipelago, Uppland, Värmland and Västmanland.

[5]: 307 [6] Breeders did not accept the new classification, and continued to maintain separate bloodlines as before.

By the late 1970s it had fallen to a low of about 20 head of pure-bred stock, and conservation efforts began.

[4] In the recovery process some use was made of imported stock of similar breeds from Finland and Norway (Ostlandsk Roedkolle and Vestlandsk Raudkolle).

[2] In 2004 the Rödkulla received official recognition: a breed number (40) was assigned to it by the Statens Jordbruksverk, the Swedish board of agriculture.