Anatolian Black
The Anatolian Black (Turkish: Yerli Kara), also known as Native Black Cattle, is a Turkish breed of cattle that originated in Anatolia. They are used in dairy production, meat production, and as draught animals on small farms. They are primarily raised in central Turkey. The Anatolian Black is the smallest of the native cattle breeds of Turkey. It is closely related genetically to the East Anatolian Red and South Anatolian Red native Turkish breeds. These three breeds are collectively referred to as "Anatolian Native" cattle, and are distinguished on morphological and regional grounds, rather than genetically. The breed is considered at risk of extinction, and the number of genetically pure individuals has decreased. This is due to crossbreeding with European breeds to improve productivity and yields, unconscious crossbreeding and poor management, as well as rural-urban migration. In order to save the Anatolian Black and other native cattle breeds, research has been conducted into how to improve their productivity, in order to become a more viable option for farmers. There is a conservation herd located at the Central Livestock Research Institute in Lalahan.
| Life Span | 18-22 years |
| Weight | 450-900 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an Anatolian Black
Finding a responsible Anatolian Black breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells cattles commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Anatolian Black. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Anatolian Blacks appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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