Breed Standard
The Riggit is a mid-size beef animal, of medium bone and good beef conformation. The coat should, in due season, be full, with short coated animals discouraged. (The assumption being that the adult animal should be easily able to out-winter in the UK). They should be naturally polled, and should horned lines occur, it should be a goal to minimise these horns.
Adult cattle should be of a constitution to survive and thrive on rough pasture alone for the majority of the year, correct in all points of locomotion.
Being primarily derived from the various Galloway breeds, they should follow similar traits, but with the defining distinction being the colouration. The Riggit cattle must display the classic feature of a white stripe along, at least, most of the spine. The rest of the body colour shall be a single colour, typically black, blue/black, dun or red/roan. The stripe may broaden to cover much of the animals back, notably down the outside of the hind quarters, or break into white spots amongst the other solid colour. The dark colour should cover at least the majority of either side from shoulder to hindmost rib. White markings may occur under the keel, and on legs, but ideally shouldn’t run down to the hoof. Roan markings may show on head and face.
Symmetry of colour should a desirable trait. Variations of colour marking, such as predominantly white, with dark spots, may be found acceptable for inclusion on a secondary register, at the Committee’s discretion, and upon inspection.
“White Riggits”, that is animals whose parents are both correctly marked registered Riggits but which display the White Park type colouration of an overall white colour with black, red or dun points will also be included in the main register
It shall remain an over-riding goal that the breed should remain an ‘easy care’ animal, capable of producing quality beef from rough and upland pasture.
Belted Galloway parentage (as of 18th February 2021)
To minimise belted/mismarked skin patterns, correctly marked females with one Belted Galloway parent can only enter the register at ‘B’ grade. The initials (BP) within their pedigree certificate shall identify their origin.
No bull may be registered from a Belted parent.
From 18.2.21 females with Belted Galloway origin which are otherwise eligible for full registration, but which are still showing a minor but evident vestigial belt mark, (coming less than 1/3 of the way down from their ‘lineback’ toward the belly) can be fully registered, but shall carry the identifying initials (VB) on the pedigree.
No bulls may be registered from these animals.
Any female otherwise eligible for full registration but showing any more than a minor vestigial belt may be registered as ‘C’ grade, with the identifying initials (VB) as above.
The Registration Secretary shall be the arbiter of how to register such animals, but may defer to the directors in the advent of any dispute.
The RGCS shall maintain notes for guidance on this subject.