The Lithuanian Black and White cattle breed is found in south-western part of Lithuania and was developed from Lithuanian local black and white cattle. Since 1951 Lithuanian Black&White breed is accepted as an independent breed.
   Native Lithuanian Black&White were kept in Lithuania from ancient times. The old type of animals have had high adaptability, easy and quiet temper,but low productivity traits . Since beginning of the XX century local Lithuanian black and white cattle have been intensively crossbreed with various more productive black and white and red cattle breeds. For the Lithuanian Black&White breed creation were used Dutch, Swedish, Danish, German, British Black&White, Ostfriesian and Holstein-Friesian cattle. The biggest influence on the milk productivity traits for Lithuanian Black&White cattle have had Dutch Black&White cattle.
   The animals are multicolored, black and white spotted, have light, forward oriented horns; the animals have a strong constitution. Adult males weigh on average 950 kg and females 550 kg with an average wither height of 136 cm and 129 cm respectively. The breed is known for its adaptation to the local climate and good milk productivity traits. The average milk yield of Lithuanian Black&White cows is 4790 kg; the milk content 4.28? of fat and 3,26% of proteins. This breed belong to dairy cattle type.
   The Lithuanian Black and White Cattle Improvers Association according to National Black and White Cattle Selection Program is responsible for breed management and maintenance. The old Dutch type of Lithuanian Black and White cattle population should be conserved with purpose to keep its main genetic charakteristics as they can be lost of intensive crossbreeding nowadays.
   The semen of males and DNA samples are stored, genetic characterization of this breed using DNA and biochemical markers is done, breed is also characterized by such parameters as body measurements and body confirmation indexes.

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