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Rustling Qualities examines the history of the Texas Longhorn, the iconic cattle breed descended from the first cattle to arrive in North America. Prized for its ability to fend for itself on the range—known as having “rustling qualities”—as well as for its hardiness on the cattle trail, the Texas Longhorn was well suited for the age of the long cattle drive. Yet these benefits came at a cost; meat from Longhorns was lower quality and the animals did not gain saleable weight as effectively as rival breeds. As rail networks intensified, Northern ranchers embraced European breeds that required a more hands-on approach but also fetched higher prices. The Texas Longhorn fell out of favor until the twentieth century when cattle breeders, particularly in Texas, celebrated the Longhorn for its connection to Texas and Western history. I will highlight the relationship between the Texas Longhorn and the history of the cattle ranching industry in the United States. In the process, I hope to explore the linkages between economic systems and the biology of domesticated animals. Similarly, in examining the mythology of the Longhorn, I hope to understand how popular beliefs about cattle ranching and the West solidified the centrality of beef in the American diet.