The Argentine Criollo is one of the Criollo type cattle found in the Americas. Criollo cattle are descended from the first bovines brought by

Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus * lij, Cristoffa C(or)ombo * es, link=no, Cristóbal Colón * pt, Cristóvão Colombo * ca, Cristòfor (or ) * la, Christophorus Columbus. (; born between 25 August and 31 October 1451, died 20 May 1506) was a ...

in his travels to America. These cattle are known for their docility and workability in addition to tremendous genetic variability. Like their

Criollo Criollo or criolla (Spanish for creole) may refer to: People * Criollo people, a social class in the Spanish race-based colonial caste system (the European descendants) Animals * Criollo duck, a species of duck native to Central and South Ameri ...

relatives, the Argentine Criollo exhibits the full range of

Bos taurus Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult ma ...

color patterns. These animals are highly adapted to their environment due to feral - naturally selective breeding regimes over the past 500 years, therefore they are extremely desirable for crossbreeding with traditional European breeds to assure incredible

hybrid vigor Heterosis, hybrid vigor, or outbreeding enhancement is the improved or increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring. An offspring is heterotic if its traits are enhanced as a result of mixing the genetic contributions of ...

. The Asociación Argentina de Criadores de Ganado Bovino Criollo was established in 1990 as the official breed society. Owners who wish to register their livestock with the Criollo Association must have their cattle tested and examined for pureness of origin, before they can be considered purebred Argentine Criollo cattle.

References

{{reflist Cattle breeds Cattle breeds originating in Argentina