Off to the countryside? Find out who's who in the nation's fields this spring If you're out and about this bank holiday weekend, take our handy British cows identifier with you and spot our native herds - turn to page 109 of May's The Simple Things for the full illustrated guide.
Aberdeen Angus
Said to descend from early 19th-century bovine A-listers Old Jock and Old Granny. Tough, good-natured, with legendary calf-bearing abilities.
Belted Galloway
Look for the distinctive white belt around the middle. Shaggy of coat and calm of temperament - though don't nark a mother with her little 'uns.
Chillingham
If you see one of these little white ladies you can only be in Northumberland, home of the only known herd. Like many rare in-bred things, they live in a castle...
Dairy Shorthorn
A breed founded more than 230 years ago from a bull named Hubback. Produces quality milk in an economical manner. Pretty, too.
Hereford
One of the oldest breeds of beef cattle; can be traced back to Roman times. Characteristic white face and underbelly. Happiest when foraging.
Highland
The horns point up if it's a she, and forwards if it's a he. Straggly-coated, waterproof and nowhere near as scary as it looks.
Jersey
Channel Islands resident (well, that's what he tells HMRC). Available in various shades from fawn to nearly-black, but always has big doe eyes.
Longhorn
No relation to the famous Texas Longhorn. Horns once used to make buttons, cutlery handles and spoons; milk now used to make Stilton.
White Park
The Audrey Hepburn of cows, with its beautiful face. So ancient and protected, we shipped some to the US for safekeeping during World War Two.