Detailed profile of this breed: origin, year of creation, recognised varieties and official approvals.
Breed summary
The Argovian White-tailed Pigeon is a compact, medium-sized fancy breed prized for its distinctive white tail that provides a strong focal point in shows. Body plumage varies by strain, but the tail remains pure white in all recognized variants. Quantitative traits commonly noted by breeders include: tail length roughly 25–35% of total body length; body length around 30–34 cm; weight typically 320–420 g. The breed is calm, manageable in a loft, and well-suited to exhibition settings. Worldwide, the population is modest and maintained mainly by dedicated enthusiasts and breed clubs.
Detailed origin
Origin is linked to the canton of Aargau (Argovia), Switzerland, developed by local breeders in the late 19th century for exhibition purposes. It spread to neighboring countries in the early 20th century and has been recognized by several pigeon fancier associations. In shows, the breed status depends on national standards and club rulings.
Detailed description
Morphology: medium-bodied with a compact silhouette; head small; beak of medium length; tail long and white; wings fit neatly to the body. Plumage of the body is variable by lineage, but the tail remains white. Temperament: generally calm and sociable, suitable for loft life and show routines. Care: standard pigeon loft care (balanced diet, regular health checks, clean housing). Typical measurements: body length 30–34 cm; tail length 12–16 cm; life expectancy in captivity commonly 8–12 years.
Recognised varieties for this breed
- Aargau Whitetail black
- Aargau Whitetail red
- Aargau Whitetail self brown
- Aargau Whitetail self khaki
- Aargau Whitetail ash-red self
- Aargau Whitetail ash-yellow self
- Aargau Whitetail barless
- Aargau Whitetail barred or checked in blue
- Aargau Whitetail silver
- Aargau Whitetail ash-red
- Aargau Whitetail ash-yellow
- Aargau Whitetail brown
- Aargau Whitetail khaki
- Aargau Whitetail yellow
- Aargau Whitetail blue