4/12/22, 1:05 AM Ox vs Cow: What’s the Difference?

(With Pictures) | Pet Keen

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Ox vs Cow: What’s the Difference?

By Oliver Jones Jan 06 2022

In most respects, there are no major differences between oxen and cows. The
main difference is that oxen are male bovine used for working purposes,
whereas cows are female bovine used for milking and beef purposes.

Since the main difference between oxen and cows lies in their working purposes,
it is relatively easy to decide on which animal to get. Simply determine your
intended job for the animal and go from there. To learn more about the
difference between an ox and a cow, keep reading.

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Visual Differences

Image Credit: Left – Ox (blende12, Pixabay) ; Right – Cow (BorgMattisson, Pixabay)

At a Glance
Ox Cows

Origin: Sussex Origin: Wild aurochs in France

Size: 2,000 lbs. Size: 1,400 lbs.
Lifespan: 15-20 years Lifespan: 20 years
Domesticated?: Yes Domesticated?: Yes

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Oxen Overview

Image Credit: christels, Pixabay

When most people imagine an ox, they assume that it is an entirely different
animal from a cow, though similar. This is simply not the case. Oxen are bovine,
just like cows. The main difference lies in their function on the farm.

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Unlike cows, oxen are typically adult males with muscular builds. They are
specifically trained for work on the farm, like pulling, mashing, and pushing. As
a result, oxen are almost always muscular and intelligent male bovine.

Characteristics & Appearance

Even though all bovines are large, oxen tend to be incredibly big and muscular.
Their muscular build is required so that they can do physical labor on the farm.
Often, oxen are over the age of four years old. Their age is because oxen are
specifically trained to respond to the farmer’s commands and signals.

With this in mind, oxen look a bit like meatheads in that they are super
muscular and strong, but they are intelligent too. The mixture between their
intelligence and their muscles makes them perfect for heavy-duty jobs for which
they are required.

Image Credit: Gena Melendrez, Shutterstock

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Uses
The main difference between an ox and a cow is in its job. Oxen are specifically
trained cattle that are used as draft animals. For example, oxen are often used
to plow, haul cargo, power machines, grind, and transport other items. Oxen are
typically worked in pairs for maximum power.

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This heavy job explains why oxen tend to be so large and male. The larger the
ox is, the more suitable it is to perform various jobs.

Today, the job of the oxen has been replaced by mechanical tools in first world
countries. In developing countries, oxen are still the primary source for heavy
lifting jobs and pulling on the farm.

Cows Overview

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Image Credit: Piqsels

In many ways, cows are the lazy cousin of oxen. They belong to the bovine
group as well, but they are almost always female, smaller, and used for other
jobs. Even though some females can be oxen, no males are cows. Males that
are not oxen are referred to as bulls.

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Characteristics & Appearance

Cows are notably smaller than oxen for two reasons. For starters, cows are
usually females, which are generally smaller than males. Additionally, cows are
not used for heavy work, which means they don’t need major muscles like oxen.

Still, cows come in many sizes. Because there are so many species of cows,
cows can come in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes.

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Image Credit: Liga Gabrane, Shutterstock

Uses
Nearly all cows are only used for milking or beef purposes. That’s because cows
are not large enough or smart enough for draft purposes. The only cows that
are used for draft purposes are extremely large breeds, but female draft
workers are rare.

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Cows are used all over the world for food purposes. Many developing nations
keep cows in small farms for family or community use. In comparison, large
nations like the United States have major farm facilities dedicated to tons of
cows for mass production.

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What Are the Differences Between Oxen

and Cows?
The differences between an ox and a cow can be summarized in four points: job,
gender, size, and intelligence.

Job
Job is the primary difference between oxen and cows. Whereas cows are used
for food purposes, oxen are used for working purposes. These different jobs
explain why cows are often smaller and less muscular than their oxen
counterparts.

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Gender
Likewise, the job of the animal explains why oxen are almost always male and
cows are always female. Oxen need to be as large and muscular as possible and
are males as a result. Cows are always female, whereas non-working male
bovine are bulls.

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Image Credit: PhotoMIX-Company, Pixabay

Size
Oxen are notably larger than cows. Their large stature makes them better suited
for their heavy lifting jobs. The required size of the ox further explains why most
are males. More so, oxen are almost always selected from the largest species of
cattle for further size.

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Intelligence
Most farmers spend years building up the intelligence of their oxen. Much like
dogs, oxen learn hand signals and commands so that they can perform the work
required. Cows, in contrast, are often left to graze on their own and are never
taught any commands.

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Related Read: What Do Cows Eat?

Which Is Right For You?

Whether you should get a cow or an ox depends entirely on your intended use
of the animal. If you want bovine for food purposes, you should get a cow. Cows
can be used for milk or beef. In comparison, you should get an ox if you need a
working bovine.

That being said, most oxen today are replaced with technology and mechanical
tools. Advanced tools are more accurate and effective than oxen. If you want
the most effective way to run your farm, get modern tools instead, though oxen
still have their place in developing farms and historical farms.

Unlike oxen, cows have not been replaced by advanced technologies. If you
want a reliable way to get milk and beef, cows are your only choice.

You might also be interest in:

Cows vs Buffalos: What’re the Differences? (With Pictures)

Cow vs. Bison: What’re the Differences?

Featured Image Credit: Top – Ox (danielkirsch, Pixabay); Bottom – Cow (Couleur, Pixabay)

Written by

Oliver
Author
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with
his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured).
Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved
to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working
online and writing about animals of all types.

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