Growing up we milked a number of cows that were 'mixed' with beef breeds.
"Beast" came from a Holstein cow bred by a Hereford. She had tons of milk, but was the most difficult to milk because she had to be tied so she couldn't move or she'd kick the crap out of us.
"Dumbo" (had large ears) She was half Holstien half Guernsey. Lots of milk and mother loved her cream.
"Helen" half Holstein half Charolais... Lots of milk, gentle wonderful milker.... cream wasn't the best.
Before I started milking, we had a Brown Swiss. HUGE cow. LOTS of milk.
We also had a purebred Jersey... I hated milking her because her teats were so small. After two years of my complaining my dad sold her... I was young then, if I'd been a little older I might have got used to her.
And a purebred Guernsy (mother of Dumbo)... She gave lots of milk and her cream was my mothers favorite of all.
Her back teats were a bit small so I hated that, but I'd milk out the two front teats first and it made it easier to milk the back ones.
Even though I'd love to go back to the farm, the one thing I imagine I'll never own again is a milk cow. TOO MUCH WORK! There is NEVER a vacation, it's every day, twice a day and you can't miss or it messes them up.