The first animals showing greater muscular development appeared in the early 20th century. Although the 1st book of records for the “Blanc Bleu Belge” breed was in 1973 in Belgium. The breed was formerly known as “Bleue du Nord”, Bleue de Moyeene, and Haute Belgique before finally becoming what it is known now as “Blanc Bleu Belge” or Belgian Blue. Breeeders in Belgium in the 50’s and 60’s crossed the most muscular animals to create the Blanc Bleue Belge breed.
The significant muscular development is due to a natural genetic mutation. This mutation is in the Culard Mh gene coding for myostatin. Myostatin is a protein that inhibits muscle growth and is present in all mammals. Due to the mutation, the muscle growth is not inhibited in these animals and they express hypertrophied muscle conformation, or double muscling. This trait is associated with extreme tenderness because the muscle genetically develops with poor collagen and low fat, even in older animals.
