The Monchina breed is a type of cow of the species Bos taurus, indigenous to northern Spain. This breed is located at the confluence of the provinces of Cantabria, Biscay, and the Mena Valley in northern Burgos.

The meaning of the breed’s name is ‘mountaineer,’ ‘from the mountains,’ or ‘mountain-dwelling,’ thus alluding to its semi-wild temperament and the topography of the terrains where it is raised. They live in areas of abrupt mountains and wooded areas with pastures.

A breed belonging to the Cantabrian bovine lineage, in an environment where other bovines do not share this phylogenetic framework, they are animals of great hardiness (rusticidad), small size, reddish or chestnut coat, and concave horns. A wild (montaraz) and elusive cattle, its rebelliousness derived from its semi-wild upbringing is characteristic. Its extreme maternal character is noteworthy.

In addition to foreign breeds, Monchina cattle have been subjected to pressure from two beef breeds, namely the Pyrenean from the East and the Tudanca from the Cantabrian side. The Official Catalogue of Livestock Breeds includes the Monchina bovine breed in the Group of Indigenous Breeds in Danger of Extinction.