This breed of brown and white cattle are distinguished by their long horns which grow in towards their face.  They originated in Craven, in the north of England around 17th Century.   Their large body size meant they were a good working cattle used for pulling farm machinery.  However would also be bred for beef and milk production.  Although their horns may seem threatening this is a usually friendly breed of cattle.  This breed is often confused with the Texas Longhorn – the main difference is that the English breeds horns grown in towards their face whereas the Texas horns grow upwards on either side of their face.

The numbers of this breed plummeted in the 1950s and 1960s as indoor housed cattle meant there was a preference for short horned or polled (de-horned) cattle as this reduced the chance of injury.  However the Rare Breed Survival Trust saved the breed in 1980.  

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