Hungarian grey cattle: The story of the oldest and most mysterious Hungarikum – Video & Photo Gallery

Hungary officially has 70 Hungarikums which are traditional and truly Hungarian meals, products and even animals. Hungarikums are, for example, the Goulash soup, chimney cake, Zsolnay china and famous Hungarian dog breeds like the puli or kuvasz. Among these Hungarian symbols, there is one which is considered to be the most mysterious one of all. This is the Hungarian grey cattle.

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The Hungarian grey cattle a national symbol

The Hungarian Grey (Bos primigenius taurus hungaricus) is a special Hungarikum, Hungary’s native and protected animal species. With its strength, colour and beauty, this animal is known all across the world as a typical Hungarian symbol. Although it is the most typical Hungarian animal, it only became an official Hungarikum four years ago, on April 24.

The Hungarian Grey is usually slender and tall. The bulls reach a height of 145–155 cm and a weight of 800–900 kgs. On the contrary, the cows are 135–140 cm high with an approximate 500–600 kgs of weight. The colour of this animal is grey, but it ranges from silvery-white to ash-grey. The newborn calves are brown coloured, and by the time they become 6–8 months old, their colour changes to grey. The 3–4-year-old bulls usually have some black colour as well on their abdomen, frontal legs, eyes, shoulders and even chest.

Hungarian grey cattle – photos

History of Hungarian grey cattle

There are constant debates about the origins of this animal, and scientists still have not found an acceptable explanation. There are many theories: some of them believe that these animals arrived with the Hungarians in the 9th century at the Carpathian Basin. Other scientists believe that when Béla IV invited the Kuns into the country, it was they who brought in this animal. Another explanation is that somewhere in the middle-ages, Hungarian people bred this animal from the common cattle.

Between the 13–14th centuries, it was the most popular animal product in Hungary and on the continent. Besides exporting many of these animals to European countries, they were also beneficial for Hungarian families. Farmers made animal glue out of its bones and candles of its suet. From its skin, they made different kinds of clothes, whips, bags and haversacks. From the horns, beautiful Hungarian bugles, bowls and different salt shakers were made.