Llanero
(most common name)

(local/other name):
• Criollo Llanero
• Venezuelan Criollo

The Llanero began, as did the Casanareño, with Criollo cattle being released onto the savannah known as the Llanos (from the Spanish Llanos Orientales) in southwestern Venezuela during the 16th century.

However, the Llanero of Venezuela is no longer distinguished as a breed the way the Casanareño is in Colombia even though scattered relict populations may exist.

During the 20th century the Llanos Criollos began to be replaced by other breeds. The Llanero has been crossbred with zebu and European breeds to make composites.

(Spanish) llanos = plains
(Spanish) llanero = plainsman

NOTE: To make matters more confusing, Mason (Dictionary 2020) states that there is a horse breed in Venezuela known as Llanero also with the synonym Venezuelan Criollo and that the name Llanero = prairie horse.

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-18

You can also go to:

My Daily Cow® Venezuela and read about other Venezuelan cattle breeds.

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