The British White cattle were first introduced in the United Kingdom by the Roman Empire around 55 B.C. The earliest recorded history begins with the old Middleton Park cattle roaming wild in 1697, after being released from Whalley Abbey. Another significant herd on record is the Sommerford herd, established in 1725 and owned by Sir Walter Shakerly of Cheshire.

With the threat of an invasion to England during World War II, the British government ordered a group of British White cattle to be shipped to America in 1940— the only breed to be safeguarded in this way. This is the high national esteem these cattle held for the British.

As its name implies, the British White is all white, with black or red points. The cows range from 1000 to 1500 pounds, while the bulls weigh in between 1800 to 2300 pounds. They have excellent fertility, easy pregnancies, and a natural resistance to pneumonia, making the British White an "easy keeper" no matter the climate.