Yakows: The Mule of the Cow World

Theophanes is a New-England-based blogger, traveler, writer, photographer, sculptor, and lover of cats.

What is a Yakow?

Yakow is the English word for an Asian animal that is a cross between a domestic cow and a yak. Females, called dzo-mus, are used for milking, fiber, meat, and are occasionally used as a beasts of burden. Males, called dzos, are most often used as beasts of burden, pulling ploughs for farmers, but are also used for meat and occasionally fiber. The males of these first generation hybrids are sterile but the females are not. Generally male domestic bulls are bred to female yaks to produce the hardiest, strongest, and largest offspring. In many Asian countries they demand a higher price then purebred yaks because of their additional strength and multipurposes. In Nepal there is said to be at least 124 variations of yakows, crossed to many breeds of bovine, both humped (like Zebus) and humpless (like Watutsi.) They are most common in Nepal, Mongolia, Northeastern Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, Northeast and Northwest India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet, Western China, and Southeastern Russia.

Modern Benefits of the Yakow

Yakow offspring are smaller at birth when compared to standard bovine offspring which results in their mothers having fewer birthing problems. They also are hardier when it comes to extreme weather conditions and are said to be more docile and less stubborn then yaks, making them the perfect pack and plough animals. They grow larger then either of their parents and reach sexual maturity at a quicker rate. The females produce 7kg of milk daily, in comparison with 3kg given by yaks. Their milk is higher in fat but the taste is strong and takes some getting used to. You can make cheese and other dairy products from this milk. These animals have half the stocking rate as regular bovine, meaning twice as many of them can be sustained on the same amount of land. The males are the strongest of all the bovines. They are however not as hardy as the yaks when it comes to extreme altitudes. Still the Yakow may be of great benefit to introduce to third world countries which are not familiar with it considering its high productivity, low impact, and many uses. The Yakow may become a far more popular animal in the future. In first world countries like the United States Yakows are mostly bred as pack animals or for exhibition purposes as we have less of a need for exotic milk, meat, and fibers.

A Note of Thanks

Photos of Yakows and yakow calves were made possible by Tracy, and her farm of lovely hybrids.

More from this Author:

Blogs:

Catching Marbles - A New England based travel blog

Tales from the Birdello - For all homesteading and farming matters

Deranged Thoughts from a Cluttered Mind - For funny personal anecdotes

FaceBook:

Through the Looking Glass Farm

Typhani Brooks - Artist

Instagram

Twitter

Comments

Jace on December 26, 2014:

Wow, the Jak and Daxter series has a variety of crossbreeds (ottsels, moncaws, hip hogs, crocadogs, kangarats, and yakows) all of which are fictional save for yakows, apparently. Who knew.

Theophanes Avery (author) from New England on April 16, 2012:

Yakows weren't 'discovered' they were bred, for the first time it was probably at least several hundred years ago if not a lot longer.

Angie on February 24, 2012:

Soooooooo cute

Dedrick on February 06, 2012:

When were they discovered

emmabalmer on March 13, 2008:

That's so interesting about the sterility issue! I would think that all offspring would be sterile. Very intriguing indeed.

BartholomewKlick on January 12, 2008:

I know that now. I left the comment before I started reading. :) My bad.

Theophanes Avery (author) from New England on January 12, 2008:

Yak isn't short for anything, Yakow is just a combination of Yak and cow... an English word made up so Westerners wouldn't have to memorize dzo, dzo-mu, etc. :)

BartholomewKlick on January 12, 2008:

Hey, neat. I didn't know Yak was short for something.