Breeds of livestock on British farms are changing constantly. New breeds emerge, foreign breeds are imported, while some native breeds lose popularity and become endangered. More than half the native breeds in Britain are rare and potentially threatened with extinction, yet they are an integral part of our history and heritage. Many of them are distinctive animals, and some possess special characteristics that could be of value to the livestock industry. A return to more traditional values was seen towards the end of the twentieth century, and this will serve to enhance the value of native breeds.