• The hair on the Braunvieh is various shades of brown, predominantly mousy brown, but ranging from light brown with gray to very dark brown. 
• The border of the muzzle is very light, as is the poll, and often a lighter colored dorsal stripe is seen. 
• The udder and inside of the legs and underline also being the lighter shade. 
• A darker, smokier shading is often evident around the shoulders and neck compared to the rest of the body. 
• The switch of the tail is dark brown to black. 
• The skin is pigmented.
• The muzzle is black.
• The hooves are dark and very hard.
• Body weights range from 1,200 (540 kgs) to 1,500 pounds (670 kgs) for adult females and 2,100 (940 kgs) to 2,500 pounds (1120 kgs) for adult males. 
• Steers at optimum slaughter weight are 1,100 pounds (500 kgs) at 13 months of age.

The breed is very docile, long bodied, well muscled with correct feet and legs, due to generations of natural selection in the Swiss Alps.

Braunvieh are known as a balanced breed, possessing body conformation for optimum physiological performance. This and the fact that their hair is sleek and fine in warm weather and can grown heavy in response to extended cold weather makes Braunviehs adaptable to different environments.

The physical characteristic, that this breed is rapidly becoming noted for, is it's carcass traits. Traits that are needed to carry the beef industry into the next century. The beef produced from the Braunvieh has excellent marbling, low fat and is tender.