6 Cattle Breeds You May Not Be Familiar With

Most of us can identify the more popular cattle breeds like Texas Longhorns and Black Angus. But did you know there are more than 1,000 cattle breeds recognized around the world? Read on to learn more about six of the less-common ones you might not have heard of before.

1. White Park

You probably won’t find the ancient White Park cow in your neighbor’s backyard like some of the more popular breeds in the United States. This horned variety is much more common in Great Britain. They are considered to be one of the more lean and athletic breeds, weighing anywhere from 1,200 to 1,800 pounds by the time they reach maturity – although bulls can continue gaining weight until they reach closer to 2,000 pounds.

You may find it interesting to learn that White Park cattle were introduced to North America during World War II when they were evacuated as part of the British program designed to safe keep their national treasures. The first were sent to the Bronx Zoo in New York and King Ranch in Texas, where they remained for 40 years. There are still conservation herds in the United States and Canada, and the breeders are still considered major players in conserving the breed.

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2. Florida Cracker

Known as one of the oldest breeds in the United States, the Florida Cracker descends from Spanish cattle brought to North America in the early 1500s. As the colonists settled into their new home, they began to implement cattle ranging systems similar to those found on ranches in Spain. They called breeds like the Florida Cracker ‘criollo cattle,’ which essentially means cows bred from European lines who were born in the New World.

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Because this was one of the first breeds in the brand new (and very different) environment, it’s no surprise that Florida Cracker cattle are well-adapted to the high heat of the Southern coast. They have a long lifespan, are fairly resistant to parasites and diseases, and can survive well on lower-quality forage like that which would’ve been found in the swamps in their earliest years in North America.

3. Irish Moiled

The dual-purpose Irish Moiled breed is from … you guessed it: Ireland. They are considered one of the rarest cattle breeds, traditionally used for dairy but also known for producing high-quality beef, even when raised on low-quality pastures. These cows experienced a serious decline in numbers in the 20th century, with some reports showing as few as 30 females maintained by just two breeders in Ireland for a while. Fortunately, a society formed with a goal to maintain and improve the breed. With support from various other organizations with a vested interest in maintaining this rare breed, there are now approximately 40 breeders across Great Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Irish Moiled cattle come in a beautiful shade of auburn and often have a white line down their backs and bellies. While this is the most prominent marking, they can appear in everything from heavy white to heavy red coloration. They boast thick coats in the winter, have a reputation for easy handling and calving, and produce desirable beef cuts.

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4. Pineywoods

Pineywoods cows are similar to Florida Crackers in that they also fall into the category of “criollo cattle.” Those bred in the United States mostly got their start in the areas we now recognize as Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, which means they are likewise heat-, disease- and parasite-tolerant and capable of surviving on the same lower-quality forage. Their temperaments vary from herd to herd, but they are often small, rugged and used for dairy and beef purposes.

One fun fact about this particular breed is that they played a pivotal role in the Southeast timber industry, where they served as a substitute for oxen. There are only a few purebred herds to be found in the United States today, with only a handful of recognized strains such as Holt, Barnes, Conway, Bayliss and Carter.

5. Belgian Blue

As you may have guessed, this breed got its start in Belgium. They are historically beef cattle and may also go by the name Race de la Moyenne et Hate Belgique (but isn’t Belgian Blue much easier to say?).

Perhaps one of the most immediate qualities you can identify on these animals is their double muscling. This makes them understandably large with substantial muscles in the shoulder, back, loin and rump. It’s also not too shocking to discover that bulls can weigh as much as 2,700 pounds.

Because these animals are so heavy and large, they make an excellent beef breed and produce high yields of marketable meat. They also happen to have short gestation periods, making them a wonderful ranching breed. While they aren’t as common as some breeds, they are growing in popularity and can be found in countries like Brazil, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and, of course, many European countries.

6. Highland Cattle (aka “Fluffy Cows”)

Made famous on social media in recent years by an “emo cow” meme and a viral internet sensation, Highland cattle (also called “fluffy cows”) actually originated as early as the 6th century. The breed originally comes from Scotland, more specifically from the Highlands region and the Outer Hebrides islands located off the northwestern coast of the country. While you can still find plenty of Highland cattle in the Scottish Highlands, they now appear in many other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada and Australia.

Best known for their adorably shaggy coats (and friendly temperament), Highland cattle can be red, black or white in color. However, some believe that the reddish color is most common due to selective breeding after Queen Victoria had expressed a preference for red-coated cattle during her travels in the Scottish Highlands. They have a double coat of hair, consisting of an oily outer layer and a soft, fluffy undercoat that helps with cold tolerance.