Embden geese are thought to originate from Germany, and are sometimes referred to as Bremen geese. They have white feathering and an orange bill. Some are mistaken in thinking that all white geese are Embdens, but true bred Embdens are taller than all other breeds of geese. They also have blue eyes, whereas geese with mixed breeding do not.

They are a large breed that is commonly used to produce hybrids for meat production. The females lay around 30 eggs per year, are often broody and are reliable sitters. They are also good mothers. Embden geese are active foragers and graze on grass and other plants. They are a hardy, long living breed that have a docile, quiet temperament and can become tame, although the males can be aggressive when protecting a sitting female. They are good guards and make lots of noise if any unwanted visitors come near. Mature males weigh around 11.7 kg and the females 9 kg.