The Guernsey cow, with its average milk production of 20 to 25 litres a day, has a finely-tuned temperament. She is alert and wide-awake but not nervous or irritable. Physically she has good dairy conformation and presents the visual impression of a plain animal bred for utility rather than good looks. She has an attractive carriage with a graceful walk, a strong back, broad loin, wide rump and deep barrel. She carries a capacious, strongly-attached udder extending well forward, with the quarters evenly balanced and symmetrical.
Heifers generally come into milk at about two years of age.
The average weaning weight of heifers and bull calves is 75 kg. The Guernsey bull has an attractive individuality, revealing ample vigour and masculinity. It has smooth-blending shoulders showing good refinement, strength and even contour. For the past three decades breeders, classifiers and judges have emphasised the need of the Guernsey to meet the modern challenge of profitable production. For this reason milk recording has been encouraged and a programme for testing young sires is applied.