These are the sacred cows of India, with humped backs and are thought to be among the world's oldest domesticated cattle. The major Zebu cattle breeds of the world include Gyr, Guzerat, Indu-Brazilian, Nelore and Brahman. They were introduced into the United States as early as 1849. The first importations of Zebu were bullocks for draft purposes, but they later interbred with other cattle breeds and produced hybrids which were bigger, faster growing, and more thrifty. These cattle often did better than the cattle which the colonists had brought from Europe.
