History
The population currently bred on Agathonissi island possibly descends from cattle of a short horn type formerly bred throughout the Aegean islands and employed mainly in agricultural work. Τhe original cattle probably received influences from cattle originating in Asia Minor. Cattle with the same phenotype are also bred on Lipsi island. Formerly, similar animals existed in other neighbouring islands such as Arki, Patmos and Samos. The isolation of these small islands helped the cattle survive until the 21st century. They are well adapted to the particularly harsh island conditions.
Morphological Traits
Their overall external features point to unimproved dairy cattle of the short horn type. Colours are always solid without spotting and usually range from shades of red, brown-red, grey to black. Nearly all animals exhibit a mealy muzzle discolouration.
Their body is of medium size with height at the withers 110-115 cm. The bulls’ weight ranges from 200-240 kg and the cows’ 160-180 kg. The horns are usually very short with dark tips. Both sexes exhibit dewlaps.
Population
The population currently consists of fewer than 60 animals distributed among two breeders in Agathonissi and two in Lipsi. Ongoing efforts have focused on preserving, studying and increasing the population after it was identified by “Amalthia Network” in 2013. The population is classified as ‘Critical’.