View source for Aberdeen Angus

{{short description|Scottish breed of beef cattle}}
{{redirect|Black Angus|the steakhouse|Black Angus Steakhouse}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes|expiry=1 January 2026}}
{{use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{use list-defined references|date=September 2025}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{infobox cattle breed
| name          = Aberdeen Angus 
| image         = Aberdeen Angus bull - geograph.org.uk - 546924.jpg
| image_size    = 
| image_alt     = head-on view of a bull
| image_caption = A bull near [[Melton Constable]], in [[Norfolk]]
| image2        = Aberdeen Angus im Gadental 2.JPG
| image_size2   =
| image_alt2    = 
| image_caption2= Cow and calf in the Austrian Alps
| status        = {{ubl|{{nobreak|[[FAO]] (2007), worldwide: not at risk{{r|barb|p=143}}}}|[[DAD-IS]] (2021): not at risk{{r|dad}}|{{ubl|[[Rare Breeds Survival Trust|RBST]] (2021)|{{spaces|6}}Overall: UK native breeds{{r|rbst2}}|{{spaces|6}}Native type: at risk{{r|rbst2}}}}}}
| altname       = {{ubl|Angus|Aberdeen-Angus|Angus Doddie|Buchan Humlie}}
| country       = United Kingdom
| distribution  = all five inhabited continents
| standard      = 
| use           = beef
| weight        = 
| maleweight    = 1000 kg{{r|dad}}
| femaleweight  = 650 kg{{r|dad}}
| height        = 
| maleheight    = 145 cm{{r|dad}}
| femaleheight  = 135 cm{{r|dad}}
| skincolour    = 
| coat          = black or red
| horn          = polled
| subspecies    = taurus
| note          = 
}}

The '''Aberdeen Angus''', sometimes simply '''Angus''', is a Scottish [[List of cattle breeds|breed]] of small [[beef cattle]]. It derives from cattle native to the [[Scottish counties|counties]] of [[Aberdeenshire (historic)|Aberdeen]], [[Banffshire|Banff]], [[Kincardineshire|Kincardine]] and [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] in north-eastern Scotland.{{r|cabi|p=96}} In 2018 it accounted for over 17% of the beef production in the United Kingdom.{{r|fuk}}

The Angus is naturally [[Polled livestock|polled]] and solid black or red;{{r|rbst}} the [[udder]] may be white.{{cn|date=July 2023}} The cattle have been exported to many countries of the world; there are large populations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South America and the United States,{{r|rbst}} where it has developed into two separate and distinct breeds, the [[American Angus]] and the [[Red Angus]].{{r|cabi|p=105}} In some countries it has been [[selective breeding|bred]] to be taller than the native Scottish stock.{{r|rbst}}

Its [[conservation status]] worldwide is "not at risk";{{r|barb|p=143}} in the United Kingdom the original Native Aberdeen Angus – cattle not influenced by cross-breeding with imported stock – is listed by the [[Rare Breeds Survival Trust]] as "at risk".{{r|rbst2}}

== History ==
[[File:Angus bull 1856.jpg|thumb|alt=black-and-white print of a large bull with pendent scrotum|Historic [[salt print]] of a bull at an agricultural fair in Paris in 1856]]
For some time before the 1800s, the hornless cattle in [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] were called "Angus Doddies", while those in the historic province of [[Buchan]] (later part of [[Aberdeenshire]]) were known as "Buchan Humlies",{{r|james|p=12}} both "doddie" and "humlie" meaning “[[polled (livestock)|polled]]”.{{r|james|p=36}}

In 1824, [[William McCombie]] of Tillyfour, later the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[West Aberdeenshire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Aberdeenshire]], began to improve the stock and is regarded today as the father of the breed.{{cn|date=September 2025}}

The breed was officially recognised in 1835, and was initially registered together with the [[Galloway (cattle)|Galloway]] in the Polled Herd Book.{{r|cabi|p=96}} A [[breed society]] was formed in 1879.{{cn|date=September 2021}} The cattle became commonplace throughout the [[British Isles]] in the mid-twentieth century.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.thecattlesite.com/breeds/beef/7/aberdeen-angus/|title = The Cattle Site – Angus Breeds|access-date = 25 June 2015|website = The Cattle Site}}</ref>

=== Argentina ===
As stated in the fourth volume of the Herd Book of the UK's Angus, this breed was introduced to Argentina in 1879 when "''Don'' Carlos Guerrero" imported one bull and two cows for his ''Estancia'' "Charles" located in Juancho, [[Partido de General Madariaga]], [[Provincia de Buenos Aires]]. The bull was born on 19 April 1878; named "Virtuoso 1626" and raised by Colonel Ferguson. The cows were named "Aunt Lee 4697" raised by J. James and "Cinderela 4968" raised by R. Walker and were both born in 1878, on 31 January and 23 April respectively.<ref>[http://www.charlesdeguerrero.com/historia.php Historia de la Cabaña Charles de Guerrero, criadora de Angus desde 1879] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208040927/http://www.charlesdeguerrero.com/historia.php |date=8 February 2016 }}</ref>

=== Australia ===
[[File:Judging Aberdeen Argus bulls, Royal Sydney Easter Show, 8657343610 (detail).jpg|thumb|alt=black-and-white photograph of a row of small black bulls, each held on a halter|Judging bulls at the [[Royal Sydney Easter Show]] of 1935]]
Angus cattle were first introduced to [[Van Diemen's Land]] (now Tasmania) in the 1820s, and to the southern mainland in 1840. The breed is now found in all Australian states and territories with {{val|62,000}} calves registered with Angus Australia in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angusaustralia.com.au/Flyers/AngusCattleinAustralia.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 August 2013 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322083933/http://www.angusaustralia.com.au/Flyers/AngusCattleinAustralia.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2012 }}</ref>

=== Canada ===

In 1876 William Brown, a professor of agriculture and then superintendent of the experimental farm at [[Guelph, ON|Guelph, Ontario]], was granted permission by the government of Ontario to purchase Aberdeen Angus cattle for the [[Ontario Agricultural College]]. The herd comprised a yearling bull, Gladiolus, and a cow, Eyebright, bred by the Earl of Fife and a cow, Leochel Lass 4th, bred by R.O. Farquharson. On 12 January 1877, Eyebright gave birth to a calf, sired by Sir Wilfrid. It was the first to be born outside of Scotland. The OAC went on to import additional bulls and cows, eventually began selling Aberdeen Angus cattle in 1881.<ref>{{cite news|title=First Herd of Aberdeen-Angus Established by OAC in 1876|work=Kitchener-Waterloo Record|date=6 March 1954|page=2|type=Microfilm}}</ref>

=== United States ===

On 17 May 1873, George Grant brought four Angus bulls, without any cows, to [[Victoria, Kansas]]. These were seen as unusual as the normal American cattle consisted of [[Shorthorn]]s and [[Texas Longhorn|Longhorns]], and the bulls were used only in crossbreeding. However, the farmers noticed the good qualities of these bulls, and afterwards many more cattle of both sexes were imported.<ref name="legends">
{{cite book
 | last = Burke
 | first = Tom
 |author2=Kurt Schaff |author3=Rance Long
 | title = Angus Legends: Volume 1
 | orig-year = 2004
 | year = 2004
 | page = 17
 | chapter = The Birth of the Breed
 }}
</ref>

On 21 November 1883, the [[American Angus Association]] was founded in Chicago, Illinois.<ref name="aaa">{{cite web
 | last = American Angus Association
 | title = Angus History
 | publisher = angus.org
 | url = http://www.angus.org/ang_hist.htm
 | access-date = 2 October 2006 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060924002712/http://www.angus.org/ang_hist.htm| archive-date= 24 September 2006 |url-status = live}}
</ref> The first herd book was published in March 1885.<ref name="legends" /> At this time both red and black animals were registered without distinction. However, in 1917 the Association barred the registering of red and other coloured animals in an effort to promote a solid black breed.<ref name="red">{{cite web
 | last = Red Angus Association of America
 | title = History of Red Angus
 | publisher = redangus.org
 | url = http://redangus.org/association/history/
 | access-date = 2 October 2006 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060924003230/http://redangus.org/association/history/| archive-date= 24 September 2006 |url-status = live}}
</ref>

The [[Red Angus Association of America]] was founded in 1954 by breeders of Red Angus cattle. It was formed because the breeders had had their cattle struck off the herd book for not conforming to the changed breed standard regarding colour.<ref name="red" />

===Germany===

A separate breed was cross bred in Germany called the [[German Angus cattle|German Angus]]. It is a cross between the Angus and several different cattle such as the [[German Black Pied Cattle]], [[Gelbvieh]], and [[Fleckvieh cattle|Fleckvieh]]. The cattle are usually larger than the Angus and appear in black and red colours.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://interboves.com/eng/breeds.html|title = German Angus cattle information.|access-date = 10 August 2015|website = Interboves}}</ref>

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Aberdeen Angus cattle, West Tullyfergus - geograph.org.uk - 1540214.jpg|thumb|alt=Black cattle grazing on green grass against a misty background|At pasture in [[West Tullyfergus]], near [[Blairgowrie and Rattray]] in [[Perth and Kinross]]]]
Because of their native environment, the cattle are very hardy and can survive the Scottish winters, which are often harsh, with snowfall and storms. Cows weigh about {{convert|550|kg|lb}} and bulls some {{convert|850|kg|lb}}.{{r|rbst3}} Bulls may be used on dairy cows to produce a beef calf.{{r|rbst3}} The cattle are naturally [[Polled livestock|polled]] and may be either black or red. They reach maturity earlier than some other native British breeds such as the [[Hereford (cattle)|Hereford]] or [[North Devon cattle|North Devon]]. 

The cattle have a large muscle content and are regarded as medium-sized. In Japan the meat is prized for its [[Marbled meat|marbling]].{{r|nsw}}

Among the [[recessive gene|recessive]] genetic defects that can affect the cattle are: [[arthrogryposis multiplex]] ("curly calf"); [[neuropathic hydrocephalus]] ("water head"); [[contractural arachnodactyly]] or "fawn calf syndrome"; [[dwarfism]]; [[osteoporosis]]; and [[notomelia]].<ref>{{cite web| last=Denholm|first=Laurence|title=Congenital contractural arachnodactyly ('fawn calf syndrome') in Angus cattle |url= http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/336944/Congenital-contractural-arachnodactyly-in-Angus-cattle.pdf|publisher=NSW Department of Trade and Investment PrimeFact 1015 May 2010}}</ref><ref>Vidler, Adam, ''Defects on rise as gene pool drains'', p. 63, The Land, Rural Press, North Richmond, NSW</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120907232659/http://www.hpj.com/archives/2009/apr09/apr27/Anothergeneticdefectaffects.cfm Another genetic defect affects Angus cattle] Retrieved on 29 May</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angus.org/pub/CA/CAInfo.aspx/ |title=American Angus Association |publisher=Angus.org |access-date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528124925/http://www.angus.org/pub/CA/CAInfo.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Heritable Birth Defects in Angus Cattle|url = http://www.appliedreprostrategies.com/2010/august/pdfs/3-1_whitlock.pdf|publisher = Appliedreprostrategies.com|last = Whitlock|first = Brian K.|access-date = 24 August 2015|archive-date = 6 October 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181006060228/http://www.appliedreprostrategies.com/2010/august/pdfs/3-1_whitlock.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Denholm L et al(2010) Polymelia (supernumerary limbs) in Angus calves|url= http://www.flockandherd.net.au/cattle/reader/polymelia.html}}</ref>

== Use ==

The Aberdeen Angus is reared principally for beef. Bulls are used extensively as [[terminal sire]]s on cows of other breeds – particularly dairy breeds – to produce cross-bred beef calves.{{r|cabi|p=97}} The meat can be marketed as superior due to its marbled appearance.{{cn|date=September 2025}} 

Bulls can also be used to transmit characteristics including the [[polled gene]] (for ease of handling) and – with the aim of lowering the incidence of [[dystocia]] – the easy calving of cows.{{r|cabi|p=97|nsw}}

Many modern breeds derive from the Aberdeen Angus or from its American derivatives, the [[American Angus]] and [[Red Angus]] of the United States. Among those created by cross-breeding are: the [[Murray Grey]] and [[Wokalup (cattle)|Wokalup]] of Australia; the [[Ibagé]] (with [[Nelore]]) of Brazil; the [[Pee Wee (cattle)|Pee Wee]] of Canada; the [[Romosinuano]] (with [[Costeño con Cuernos]]) of Colombia; the [[Jamaica Black (cattle)|Jamaica Black]] (with Brahman); the [[Japanese Polled]] (with indigenous Japanese cattle); the [[Afrigus]] (with [[Afrikaner (cattle)|Afrikaner]]) of South Africa;{{r|cabi|p=104}} the [[Volynsk]] and [[Znamensk (cattle)|Znamensk]] of Ukraine; and the [[Africangus]] (with Afrikaner), the [[Amerifax]] (with [[Beef Friesian]]), the [[Barzona]] (with Afrikaner, [[Hereford (cattle)|Hereford]] and [[Santa Gertrudis (cattle)|Santa Gertrudis]]), the [[Brangus]] (with [[Brahman (cattle)|Brahman]]), the [[Holgus]] (with [[Holstein (cattle)|Holstein]]) and the [[Regus (cattle)|Regus]] (Red Angus × Hereford) of the United States{{r|cabi|p=97}} The [[Australian Lowline]] is not a cross-breed but the unexpected result of a research experiment using only Aberdeen Angus stock.{{r|cabi|p=233}}

== References ==
{{commonscat}}
{{reflist|45em|refs=

<ref name=barb>Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20200623201209/http://www.fao.org/3/a1250e/annexes/List%20of%20breeds%20documented%20in%20the%20Global%20Databank%20for%20Animal%20Genetic%20Resources/List_breeds.pdf List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources], annex to [https://web.archive.org/web/20170110125634/http://www.fao.org/3/a-a1250e.pdf ''The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture'']. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. {{ISBN|9789251057629}}. Archived 23 June 2020.</ref>

<ref name=cabi>Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). [https://books.google.it/books?id=2UEJDAAAQBAJ&hl=en ''Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding''] (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. {{ISBN|9781780647944}}.</ref>

<ref name=dad>[https://dadis-breed-datasheet-ws.firebaseapp.com/?country=GBR&specie=Cattle&breed=Aberdeen-Angus&external=1&lang=en Breed data sheet: Aberdeen-Angus / United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Cattle)]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed September 2025.</ref>

<ref name=fuk>[s.n.] (28 June 2019). [https://web.archive.org/web/20190629111130/https://www.farminguk.com/news/aberdeen-angus-set-to-be-uk-s-most-popular-beef-breed_53333.html Aberdeen Angus set to be UK's most popular beef breed] (press release). ''Farming UK''. Archived 29 June 2019.</ref>

<ref name=james>James MacDonald, James Sinclair (1910). [https://archive.org/details/cu31924002957391/page/n9/mode/2up ''History of Aberdeen-Angus Cattle'']. London: Vinton & Company.</ref>

<ref name=nsw>Bruce Mackay (1 October 1997). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150624204743/http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/beef/breeding/breeds/angus Cattle breeds: Angus] (Agfact A2.3.7, third edition). New South Wales Government: Department of Primary Industries. Archived 24 June 2015.</ref>

<ref name=rbst>[https://www.rbst.org.uk/native-aberdeen-angus2 Native Aberdeen Angus]. Kenilworth, Warwickshire: Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Accessed September 2021.</ref>

<ref name=rbst2>[https://www.rbst.org.uk/watchlist-overview Watchlist overview]. Kenilworth, Warwickshire: Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Accessed September 2021.</ref>

<ref name=rbst3>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150630132848/http://www.rbst.org.uk/layout/set/print/Rare-and-Native-Breeds/Cattle/Aberdeen-Angus-Native Aberdeen Angus (Native)]. Kenilworth, Warwickshire: Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Archived 30 June 2015.</ref>

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<ref name=redangus>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150320114901/http://assets.redangus.org/media/Documents/Association/Red_Angus_History_Brochure.pdf Red Angus History]. Denton, Texas: Red Angus Association of America. Archived 20 March 2015.</ref>
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{{British livestock|R.}}
{{Scottish animal breeds}}
{{Agriculture of Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Beef cattle breeds]]
[[Category:Cattle breeds originating in Scotland]]

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