Braunvieh is a German word meaning "brown cattle." There were at least 12 types of brown cattle found in the mountains of Switzerland during the 1600s. These animals showed a wide variation in type and size, depending on where they were raised, and they form the basis for the modern Braunvieh.

Focused selection began in the canton of Schwyz. By the 19th century, breeders began to export these animals to surrounding regions. A breeders' society was formed in Switzerland in 1897 and is called Schweizerischer Braunviehzuchtverband. In 1974, Braunvieh accounted for 47 percent of the cattle found in Switzerland, second only to Simmental.

These cattle have been exported throughout the world, including Western Europe, former eastern block countries and Russia. In many cases the breed was used to improve the quality of the local cattle. In Europe, Braunvieh are still primarily used for milk production. In comparison to the European Holstein-Friesian, they are approximately equal in average daily gain, percent milk fat, percent milk protein, calving ease and calf mortality. Braunvieh are lower in milk yield, muscularity, age of sexual maturity and milk ability than Holstein-Friesian cattle.