The Montbéliarde is a large mountain cow, 57 to 59 in high (145 to 150 cm) at the sacrum for 1,543 lbs on average (700 kg). Robust, the breed is well suited to the full outdoors in the pastures practiced by Cantal cheese producers in summer. It is bred in geographical areas with great thermal amplitude, at altitudes varying between 1,312 and 3,280 ft (400 and 1000 m). These conditions have endowed the Montbéliarde with significant hardiness and good resistance to diseases and infections.