Egyptian
(most common name in English)

also generally called:
• Baladi (Egypt/Israel/Jordan/Lebanon/Syria)

Egyptian cattle, as a group, are found along the Nile, a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. Since 4000 BC domestic cattle have been kept in this area. It is believed that both shorthorn (brachyceros) and cervicothoracic-humped cattle arrived around 2500 BC. (Zebu cattle also seem to have entered, though sporadically.)

Clearly defined breeds evolved during the Egyptian pharaonic dynasties — but these breeds vanished along with those dynasties. The remaining cattle have been designated North African Humpless Shorthorns with two subgroups: the Egyptian and the Brown Atlas.

In general, Egyptian cattle today are categorized as brachyceros with some zebu influence. Recent genetic studies show that the current population of the Egyptian is not panmictic (a random mix of all potential genetic combinations); subpopulations (varieties) do exist.

Varieties of the Egyptian include:
• Arab
• Damietta
• Jordan Baladi
• Lebanon Baladi
• Maryuti
• Menufi
• Saidi

This page was last updated on: 2024-05-23

You can also go to:

My Daily Cow® Egypt and read about other Egyptian cattle breeds.

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