Altwürttemberger
The Altwürttemberger (German : Alt-Württemberger, meaning "old wurtemberg") is a horse breed from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With origins dating back to the 16th century, the breed originated at Germany's oldest stud farm, Marbach. The Altwürttemberger is mainly descended from the Anglo-Norman founder stallion Faust. Its studbook was created in 1895, and the breed was established at the beginning of the following century. Until the Second World War, this horse was used for agricultural work, then declined for lack of use. A small number of specimens were saved with the formation of an association in 1988. The altwürttemberger is a solid, heavy cob and warmblood horse, suitable for both saddling and pulling. Due to its very low numbers, between 50 and 60 individuals in the 2010s, it is considered a rare breed in critical danger of extinction. The Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen or GEH (Society for the Conservation of Old and Endangered Domestic Breeds) recognized it as an endangered German breed on 2018.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an Altwürttemberger
Finding a responsible Altwürttemberger breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells horses commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Altwürttemberger. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Altwürttembergers appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for an Altwürttemberger breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
Search USDA Breeders
