Gelbvieh were developed in the three Franconian districts of the Northern Bavaria region of Germany in the early 19th century. The "red-yellow Franconian cattle" were developed from several local strains including the Celtic-German Landrace and Heil-Brown cattle. Thus, with stringent sire testing and planned mating programs, Gelbvieh were moulded into a superior dual purpose animal for beef and milk production.

Gelbvieh were selected for carcass traits: length of loin, leanness, early growth and maturity. In Europe, there were far fewer cattle per farm unit and close contact with farm animals ensured that docility and longevity were also part of this formula. All of this, in a golden brown, totally pigmented animal with dark hooves and genitalia. (Pigmentation is a trait which is now believed to reduce problems associated with soft hooves, sunburned udders and cancer eye.) Gelbvieh animals also adapt to most range or climatic conditions.