The modern Ankole-Watusi originates in East Africa in the Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya area. It gets it's name from the Ankole and Watusi tribes which developed and bred them. Due to the extreme climate of Africa, these cattle adapted to cope with infectious diseases, temperature extremes of  20-120 degrees F., drought related problems such as stockwater shortages and extreme over-grazing.

The American strain of the breed averages 900 pounds for cows and 1,400 pounds for bulls. Although the horns are awesome to look at and the animals are so impressive, they are by nature calm and gentle. Breed traits such as calving ease, disease resistance, hybrid vigor, high browse utilization and 8% butterfat have maintained peoples intereset, and all contribute toward making these animals a value to the owner.