This is a list of accepted German Breeds and a small profile for your enjoyment.

Note: The East Friesian is not to be confused with the black Friesian from the Netherlands. They are different breeds and the black Friesian is NOT an accepted German breed.

Bavarian Warmblood - Formerly known as the Rottaler, the Bavarian Warmblood was much in use as a warhorse, primarily during the Midddle Ages. However, as with many of the older heavier breeds, lighter blood was added during the 18th century. British horse breeds were a notable influence, the principal ones being the Thoroughbred and the Cleveland Bay. The breed is now best known as a riding horse, but is also a successful competition horse, helped by considerable agility and calm temperament. Usually chestnut in colour, they stand at about 16hh.

Dulmen - The Dulmen is Germany’s last remaining native pony breed. The Dulmen is a very old breed found near the town of Dulmen, an area where ponies have been documented since the early 1300s. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, although it is though that they have developed from ancient primitive horse types, as they still show primitive characteristics. The Dulmen used to live in large wild herds all across Westphalia, but now there is only one wild herd left, which roams about 860 acres, and is owned by the Duke of Croy. They are left to find their own food and shelter, and must cope with illness and death. As a result, only the strongest ponies survive, and they are particularly strong, tough and resistant to disease. Once a year the ponies are rounded up and the colts are separated off and sold at auction. The mares are returned with only one or two stallions. Dulmen ponies are usually dun, black brown or chestnut, and stand 12 – 13hh. When tamed and trained they can make excellent children’s ponies.

East Friesian - Before World War II, and the division of Germany, the East Friesian had developed along such similar lines to the Oldenburg, that the two were considered almost the same breed. However, the political division of Germany also divided the two breeds, with the East Friesian being developed according to Eastern European breeding preferences. The East Friesian was refined using infusions of Arab blood, as well as with crosses with stallions from the renowned Hungarian Balbolna stud. One of these stallions, Gazal, played a significant part in the development of the breed. Today, the East Friesian has been refined to such an extent that its origins are virtually unrecognizable. With the introduction of Hanoverian blood in more recent times, it is now a superior, light horse, used for both pleasure and competition riding, and occasionally for light draft work. They stand at 15.2 – 16.2hh

Hanoverian - The most famous of the German breeds is the Hanoverian, which has it's origins in the German great horses of the Middle Ages. These heavyweight animals date from the pre-Christian era and can be traced back to a tribe called the Tencteri, who lived along the left bank of the Rhine. The Hanoverian continued as a warhorse until the use of armour died out. The breed was altered in 1735 when King George II of England founded the Celle stud. This was done to create a lighter farm and harness horse. Holstein stallions were crossed with the local mares, then English Thoroughbred blood was added. Subsequently, the "new" Hanoverian became popular as a coach horse. In 1867, private breeders founded their own society with the intention of producing animals that could also be used as army horses. The requirements were changed again between the two world wars. At this time the emphasis was on an animal that could be used as a utility horse on the farm and as a quality riding horse. The post war years have seen the Hanoverian develop into an elegant competition horse. The Hanoverian is a strong and powerful horse with a showy action and a good temperament. They usually stand between 15.3 and 17 hands. All colours are accepted.

Holsteiner - Also known as the Holstein, this breed dates back to the 13th century when it was bred on good pasture ground along the banks of the Elbe River. It is believed to have Andalusian blood and some Oriental. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the breed became popular as a powerful riding and coach horse and many animals were exported abroad - particularly to France. Because the Holstein proved too heavy for military purposes, the breed was refined by the use of Thoroughbred blood, and notably through the introduction of three Yorkshire Coach Horses in the 19th century. The resulting animal was one that was elegant enough for riding and driving, yet was strong enough for light farm work. A central stud, which stayed open until 1961, was formed in Traventhal, and Holsteins were once again exported, many of them to South America. Numbers declined again after World War II as farms rapidly became mechanized and the Holstein was still considered too heavy as a competition animal. Again English Thoroughbreds were imported from Britain and consequently, the present day Holstein is a much lighter and elegant horse. The neck is long and arched with high withers and a strong back. They stand at around 16 – 17hh, and all solid colours are permissible.

Mecklenburg - Similar in appearance to the larger Hanoverian, the Mecklenburg shares much of the same history. Its ancestors were much larger and heavier, and were extremely strong and were primarily used as warhorses. As warfare changed, and amour became outdated, the warhorse also underwent changes. Warmblood stock was introduced to create a lighter, superior horse, suitable for cavalry use. Its size and strength also made the Mecklenburg ideally suited as a light carriage horse. It retained this use up to World War II, although subsequent cross-breeding had produced a strong and agile riding horse, of medium build and considerable stamina. After World War II, a breeding program was set up in East Germany which has produced the breed we know today. Some Anglo-Arab blood was introduced, and considerable crossing with Hanoverian stock took place. Used primarily as a riding and competition horse, the Mecklenburg also makes a suitable pleasure mount. A strong, yet docile breed, the Mecklenburg has a well proportioned head on a long, strong neck. It has a long back, broad chest, strong sturdy legs, and hard feet. Most solid colours occur, with brown, black and bay being the most common. They stand between 15.3 to 16.2 hands on average.

Oldenburg - Named for Count Aton von Oldenburg, this breed originated in northwest Germany. It used to be the heaviest of the German horses, related to the Friesian, but as with many other heavyweight breeds, much effort has been made to lighten it. Von Oldenburg was responsible for putting Spanish and Italian stock to the local mares in the 17th century. This resulted in a powerful coach horse noted for maturing early. Later, in the 19th century, a breeder's society was established for the Oldenburg. At this time, a lighter horse was developed through the addition of Yorkshire Coach Horses, Thoroughbreds, Cleveland Bays and Normans. These made superb coach horses that were also capable of working as farm horses. Recent breeding programs using Thoroughbreds and Hanoverians have further refined the Oldenburg. At 16.2 to 17.2 hands, the modern day Oldenburg is still Germany's tallest horse, and also one of the most powerful. Oldenburgs are known for having an even temperament with an elegant bearing. They have a well proportioned head, strong neck and shoulders, and well-muscled body with good bone. These horses are usually solid colours, although pinto colouring is allowed, and does occasionally occur.

Rheinlander - The Rhienlander breed is fairly new, and is being based on the Rhineland Heavy Draft breed. Breeders are trying to develop a sport horse breed that will be capable of competing in dressage, show jumping and three day eventing with infusions of Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Hanoverian blood among others. More information will be added at a later date as it becomes available.

Rhineland Heavy Draft - Also known as the Rhinish-German. Based on the Ardennais and the Belgian Heavy Draft, the Rhineland Heavy Draft was developed in the middle of the 19th century and it was almost 100 years ago that the Rhinish stud book was founded. The best known sires were "Albion d'Hor," "Idien de Bievene," and "Lothar III." The breed quickly became a useful heavy draft horse which was used by farmers of Westphalia, Rhineland, and Saxony. Because of farm mechanization, there are very few examples of the Rhinish left today, and efforts are being made to produce a riding horse, the Rhinelander, using the heavy draft as foundation stock. They stand approximately 16 – 17hh

Schleswigger - As with many European heavy draft breeds, the powerful forbearers of the Schleswig (pronounced sh-kles-vigh-her) were used for centuries as warhorses for armoured knights. The breed as we know it today was developed during the late 19th century to provide a heavy draft horse that could also be used by the military. Based on the Danish Jutland (pronounced YUT-lind) breed, it was strongly influenced by one stallion in particular, "Oppenheim LXII," (I think that's 62 but I'm not sure) a Suffolk Punch who also played a part in the development of the Jutland. As the beginning of the 20th century approached, Thoroughbred blood was introduced, to create a somewhat lighter draft horse. However, a variety of defects arose from this cross and later crosses with Breton and Boulonnais horses were intended to improve the breed once more. An amenable, strong and reasonably fast horse, the Schleswig has been primarily used as a farm horse and for all kinds of transportation, including pulling heavy carriages. In appearance, the Schleswig somewhat resembles a cob, with a large head, short neck, and short, well-muscled legs. Coat colour is generally a deep brown or chestnut, and they stand between 15.1 to 16.1 hh. A flaxen mane and tail is very common.

South German - The South German cold blood is Germany’s version of the Austrian draft horse, the Noriker, although slightly lighter. During the 19th century, Norman, Cleveland, Holstein, Hungarian, Clydesdale and Oldenburg blood was added to produce a fairly light draft horse, well adapted to working in mountainous areas. Today, the centre of breeding is the German State Stud of Marbach. They are also bred at the Baden State Stud. The South German Cold Blood has been used extensively for carrying army packs and artillery in the mountains. Today, although still occasionally used for this purpose, they are mainly utilized by small mountain farmers.

Trakehner - The Trakehner has a fascinating history. Originally from East Prussia, the breed developed from the Schwieken (sh-WAY-kin), a tough little horse native to the area. In 1732, Frederick William I of Prussia founded the Trakehnen Stud. He supplied an area of marshland in the north-western area of East Prussia which was drained to become perfect pasture land. Frederick also donated horses from the royal studs and imported Arabians from Poland. Thoroughbred blood was added later, one of the most influential stallions being "Perfectionist," son of the famous race horse "Persimmon." Such careful breeding produced an excellent riding horse, the pride of the German Army. Only the best stallions were kept at the Trakehnen stud and the three-year-olds were sent to the resident training stable and kept there for one year. As four-year-olds they underwent trials which included hunting with a pack of hounds and cross-country courses. Second best animals went to state stud farms, third class went to private breeders. The rest were used a remounts by the German Army. This practise continued up to the end of World War I. In a drastic attempt to keep the best animals from the advancing Russian Army during this conflict a number were trekked across country to the west. The rest were left behind in what eventually became Poland, their famous stud destroyed. The Trakehners supple paces and tractable but spirited temperament make it a much sought after competition horse.

Westfalen/Westphalian - The modern Westphalian breed is based on a much older breed that dates back to the early 19th century and which was officially recognized as a breed in 1826. Over subsequent years, a selective breeding program took place for the purpose of refining the breed and in order to improve the horse's qualities as a riding and sports horse. This has involved infusions of English Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Hanoverian blood. The combination of bloodlines eventually produced a fast, intelligent powerful and versatile horse, which has gone on to become a world-renowned competition breed. First reaching prominence as a high-class sports horse in the 1970's, Westphalians have won World Championships in 1978 and 1982, and have consistently performed to a high standard over the years. Westphalians are adaptable to several performance disciplines, including carriage driving, and racing, although they principally excel at show jumping and dressage.

Württemburg - The Württemburg is bred at Germany's state-owned stud at Marbach, and can trace its ancestry back to the 16th century. This Warmblood breed was founded when Arabian blood was mixed with German mares; later Anglo-Norman, Trakehner, and Suffolk Punch blood was added. The Anglo-Norman blood proved to be very important, and it is an Anglo-Norman that is credited with being the founder of the modern day Württemburg breed. However, the Trakehner has been an important influence in subsequent years, and this is the breed that is primarily used for refining the Württemburg today. The breed was originally intended as a light general purpose horse for farm and light draft work, but it is now extensively used for competition work. It is also an excellent mount for both sport and pleasure riding.