The Toulouse comes from the Haute-Garonne in south-western France, was refined in England from the 1840s, and entered the American Standard in 1874. There are really two birds under the name: the production Toulouse, an 18–20 lb farm goose without a true dewlap, and the massive Dewlap Toulouse, with a heavy fold of skin hanging from the bill and a double-lobed belly that can brush the ground. The dewlap type is docile and quiet, stays close to its feed, and lays only 20–35 eggs a year with often poor fertility; it also needs a pool at least 15 inches deep to breed well. Its soft plumage wants shelter in long wet spells.
Good with kids
Cold hardy
Heat tolerant
Broody
Egg colorWhite
Egg production20–35 / year
TemperamentDocile
BroodinessOccasional
ClimateCold hardy, Heat tolerant
PurposeMeat
Weight
Goose26 lb
Gander26 lb
How to spot it
Head
Dewlap type: a heavy folded dewlap hanging from the lower bill and upper neck
Plumage
Grey or buff
Look for
A huge, low-slung grey goose with a double-lobed paunch
