The Braunvieh breed developed in Switzerland and is a direct descendant of bro brachyceros or more commonly known as the Peat Cow. The name Braunvieh, in a direct literal translation means Brown Cattle

Their remains have been  found in the peat bogs of the alpine lakes in Switzerland, dating back to the Neolithic period (2000 B.C.- 800 B.C.). 

The Peat Cow was a small delicate cow with fine extremities and short horns. It was approximately 2/3 the size of a present day Braunvieh. The domestication of this Peat Cow is believed to have started in Asia and was brought to Europe by Neolithic Man as he migrated West. 

The Monks first started to keep records, in Switzerland, indicating growth and milk production.This was the beginning of producing a dual purpose breed. The oldest records date to 1050 A.D. for milk production from the Convent Muri. There are many records from the 13th. and 14th. centuries from a number of monasteries. 

The best known monastery was Einsiedeln in the heart of Switzerland, where the Swiss Braunvieh originated. Eiensiedeln had a reputation throughout Europe and Asia as to the quality of their stock.

In the 1800s Switzerland started to organize the different breeders and they set a goal of what the breed should be. 
The specifications of the cattle were to include:

• being brown
• being medium sized
• serving a dual purpose 
• having good conformation
• being well muscled
• having good feet and legs
• being able to produce a certain amount of milk 

 In the early 1900s the Swiss Braunvieh Association produced a set of standards. There was always a concern to improve the production because the Swiss cattle breeders depended on the export of their cattle. The Braunvieh went mostly to Italy and later, to all the neighbouring countries. It was always understood that the breed which was exported to so many countries, and had to live under so many diverse conditions must be easily adaptable. This is one of the traits which is still with the breed today. The Braunvieh breed is found everywhere on the globe.