Bulgarian Grey
(most common name in English)

(most common name):
• Balgarsko sivo govedo
• Българско сиво говедо
(local/other name):
• Bulgarian Gray Cattle (English)
• Bulgarian Steppe (English)
• Bulgarisches Grauvieh (German)
• Gray cattle (English)
• Grey Native cattle (English)
• Vit (English)
• Sivo mestno govedo

The Bulgarian Grey is a Podolian-Illyrian breed.

The Bulgarian Grey once had two varieties:
• Iskar – purer and larger
• Stara Planina – smaller with more Illyrian Shorthorn blood (now extinct)

The Bulgarian Grey, bred for a millennia under the same conditions, has developed an incredible resistance to unfavorable environmental factors.

Bulgarian Grey cattle are compact — tough bones and powerful muscles have made them excellent for work (but now more focus is on their meat). They also have good fertility and are famous for having a long productive life (averaging 17 years).

Podolian-Illyrian cattle breeds are Podolian Grey Steppe cattle that have been mixed with Illyrian Shorthorn cattle.

Podolian-Illyrian cattle breeds are smaller in size and have shorter horns but still resemble Podolian Grey Steppe cattle.

(Bulgarian) Balgarsko sivo govedo = Bulgarian grey cattle
(Bulgarian) Sivo mestno govedo = Grey local cattle

This page was last updated on: 2024-04-15

You can also go to:

My Daily Cow® Bulgaria and read about other Bulgarian cattle breeds.

The Cow Wall® A-Z Cattle Breed Picture Reference to see other breeds of cattle in the world.