The Texas Longhorn is a rarity among breeds because it developed naturally rather than as a product of human selective breeding, resulting from the mixing of wild Spanish cattle with the free-ranging domestic cattle of settlers. The semi-wild Texas Longhorn was recognized as a distinct cattle breed around the time of the Civil War and gained popularity until the early 1900s. As ranchers began to fence their pastures and open areas decreased, the Texas Longhorn lost popularity compared to other breeds.