The miners in the Harz were given some rights, called "miner freedoms" which meant that among others they were allowed to keep cows. The number was determined after the respective status, a simple miner was allowed to hold thus not as many cows as a mining civil servant. If possible, the municipal authorities determined in January of each year a herdsman who had to look after the animals during pasture period in the forest starting in April. After the second meadow-reaping the cows were allowed on the meadows where they remained up to the first snow.

The herdsman had to blow his signal at 5 am. The owners left their animals out of the stable and they joined the herd which had to leave the town or village at the latest at 6 am. In the evening before darkness they returned. The herdsman blew the moving back signal, the people opened their stable doors, and the cows on their own went back into their stable.

Only a man who was also a butcher could become herdsman because in winter he worked as a butcher. After the butcher apprenticeship, the man had to learn for several years how to become a herdsman. Often children already accompanied the herdsman to help. Dynasties of herdsmen developed.

The dress of the herdsmen consisted of dark trousers and gaiters, a knee-long black smock, a black hat, boots or crude shoes and a herdsman belt. This belt was decorated with brass fittings, and axe, dog line and a cord were fastened to it.

Of course, a dog to guard the cows belonged to the Harz, it was the "Harz fox" which is once again bred today.

The herdsmen in the upper Harz were respected and also well established people contrary to the herdsmen in the lower Harz. Goat herdsmen and shepherds in contrary had a lower social status.

Nowadays the cows are not any longer guarded by herdsmen. They are on fenced pastures, but the animal keepers, enthusiasts and friends come together for meetings with all their traditional herdsmen clothes and with their dogs, the Harz fox.

Herdsmen meeting in Buntenbock 

Harzcows at passage on Innerste

Herdsmen in Tanne
Harzfox 'Janko'