The following is a
list of breeds of cattle. Over 800 breeds of
cattle are recognized worldwide, some of which adapted to the local climate, others which were bred by humans for specialized uses. Breeds fall into two main types, regarded as either two closely related species, or two subspecies of one species.
Bos indicus cattle, also called zebu, are adapted to hot climates.
Bos taurus are the typical cattle of Europe, north-eastern Asia, and parts of Africa – they are referred to in this list as "taurine" cattle, and many are adapted to cooler climates. Taurus/indicus hybrids are widely bred in many warmer regions, combining characteristics of both the ancestral types. In some parts of the world further species of cattle are found, and some of these are related so closely to taurine and indicus cattle that inter
species hybrids have been bred. Examples include the
Dwarf Lulu cattle of the mountains of
Nepal with
yak blood,
the
Beefalo of North America with
bison genes, the
Selembu breed of
India and
Bhutan with
gayal genes. The
Madura breed of
Indonesia may have
banteng in its parentage.
The
Dzo of Nepal is an infertile cattle-yak crossing which is bred for agricultural work. Like the
mule which is also infertile, they have to be continually bred from the parent species.