Some early writers suggested that the Strasser originally came from Austria, but it is now agreed that its original home was Moravia, a district in the south east of what is now the Czech Republic, bordering on Austria and Hungary. The variety is claimed to derive from the Florentine (a large white-flighted Gazzi-marked pigeon), one of the Cropper family and the Field Pigeon, presumably to give colour variations. It reached Germany in the 1870s, where it became popular and was developed. After World War II it appeared in the RVPC classes in this country and in the 70s strongly competitive classes were held at Doncaster. Barless blues usually took top honours
A few years ago I was surprised to read in a German Show Catalogue that, as well as the many classes for Strassers, a few classes were staged for a variety described as a MŠhrische Strasser (which translates into English as Moravian Strasser). German fanciers are keen to indicate the place of origin of the varieties they exhibit. This prompted me to do some research. Videos, photographs, articles in German literature and ultimately German standards all proved that in Germany, at least, two varieties are recognised.
The variety described simply as the Strasser is a somewhat larger bird. In Germany it wears a size 10 ring as opposed the size 8 designated for the Moravian Strasser. The chief difference however lies in the body shape and carriage. It is broader in the breast particularly when seen from the front, shorter in the back and tail and stands lower in carriage. Some illustrations show evidence of a 'skirt' around the lower body partially obscuring the legs and feet. This suggests to me the influence of one of the Mondain varieties. So low do some specimens stand that I have heard rumours that they have difficulty treading!
The variety described as the Moravian Strasser may not be quite as bulky but is better proportioned; the carriage is almost horizontal with the neck and head forming a right angle to the line of the body, which formerly was described as boat-shaped. The legs and feet are strong and well shown. There are a larger variety of colours and patterns available, including a white-tailed variant, but, this apart, both varieties have the basic markings made familiar in this country by the Gazzi Modena.
