The Florida Cracker breed is an old breed in the U.S. Settlers brought the animals from Spain in the early 1500s. This breed initially thrived as they were heat tolerant and resistant to parasites and disease. However, in the 1900s, other breeds that had these characteristics came to the U.S. and almost caused the extinction of the Florida Cracker breed. Currently, the Livestock Conservancy lists this breed is listed as threatened, but the State of Florida is a leader in preserving the breed.