Northern Dairy Shorthorns are a rare breed of cattle that are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust critical watchlist.They evolved as a dual-purpose breed in the Pennines and the adjacent areas of Durham and Westmorland and was developed specifically for upland farming. They produce lots of milk, are good mothers, are very fertile and they do not need expensive food. They mostly live on grass and are extremely hardy so are not as prone to as many diseases.