Officially recognized as a breed, the red dappled cow of Oropa like other red dappled cows present in the Alpine area, is believed to have originated in the Simmental area. Others who have studied the breed believe it originated in the North of Europe and was brought to Italy by the French from Burgundy and Bourgogne in the 5th Century B.C. The breed is practically concentrated in stock farms in the province of Biella, in the Cervo and Elvo Valleys. The breed is considered to have a two-fold use but the prevalent one is to produce milk which will be transformed into the typical cheeses of the area: Toma and Maccagno. A careful observation of these miniature sculptures is not enough to distinguish between the "living" subjects from those reproduced. Appreciating their likeness becomes an absolute must.