British Waterfowl Association

Embden Goose

group of Embden Geese
Embden Geese - proud and tall

Any white goose is not necessarily an Embden. There are many varieties of commercial geese which are white, but these are generally smaller, and also easier to breed because they have been developed as commercial crosses for a high output.

Heavy breed

Domesticated Greylag Goose Anser anser

The Embden originated in Germany but is a popular breed in the UK and USA. Along with the Toulouse, it was the first goose breed standardized in the UK in 1865. Birds in the UK differ from standard-bred birds in Germany. British birds are heavier and reach up to 15.4 kg in exhibition strain ganders. Winning birds have to have the correct shape and stance. They are upright and confident, with a broad, well-rounded breast and dual-lobed paunch.

2 Embden geese head-on
Embden Geese - Simon James

The true Embden has a proud stature and reaches a metre in height. Ganders weigh 12.7-15.4 kg and geese can reach 12.7 kg. They typically lay about 30 eggs.