The English Longhorn originated in northwest
and central England and Ireland. They are used primarily for
meat production.
The English Longhorn became the first breed,
in the mid-1700s, that were improved by Robert Bakewell of Leicestershire,
England. Bakewell pioneered the use of inbreeding technique
in cattle selection.
He selected the English Longhorn for quick
growth and heavy hindquarters. His selection efforts led the
breed to become the most widely used throughout England and Ireland
until it was surpasses by the Shorthorn breed in the early 1800s.
The breed declined rapidly for nearly 200
years until it was rescued by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
The efforts of RBST in 1980 resulted in 255 registered English Longhorns.
The English Longhorn is red-gray-brown or
brindled and all animals are whitebacked. Cows range in height
from 130 to 140 cm and weigh 500 to 600 kg. Males average
150 cm in height and 1000 kg in weight.
Reference:
Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World,
1985, MSO-AGVET (Merck & Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J.
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of
Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International.
273 pp.
Photographs:
Alan Cheese, UK
