English Longhorn

For other uses, see Longhorn (disambiguation).

A Longhorn cow

English Longhorn cattle are a long-horned brown and white breed of beef cattle originating from Craven in the north of England. They have a white patch along the line of their spine and under their bellies.

They are not to be confused with the Texas longhorn breed, which is also often called "Longhorn cattle" or "Longhorns".

Though long-horned oxen were already predominant in Craven in the 16th and 17th centuries, the English Longhorn breed was much improved for beef by Robert Bakewell of Dishley. His selective breeding made the "Dishley Longhorn" very popular towards the end of the 18th century. The breed is still to be found in Leicestershire at the Stanley's Springbarrow Farm, Freddie de Lisle's Quenby Hall and a small herd has been re-introduced at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire where the Harpur-Crewe family had traditionally kept them.

Distinguished from Texas longhorns

English Longhorns have curved horns that can go over the face, whereas Texas Longhorn horns go in any shape and size, though usually up and away from the face. Texas Longhorn cattle can be any colour a cow can be other than blue-roan, while longhorn are only brown and white.

External links

• Longhorn Cattle Society page
• Oklahoma State University breed profile
• New Zealand rare breeds
• The Cattle Site