Dzopkyo

These are Yak and Tibetan Cattle cross-breeds. Most of the 'yaks' you see along the trails are actually dzopkyos. The can be told from the yaks by a slighter build and less shaggy hair. With less hair, they can survive as low as Lukla where a normal yak would have a very tough time. They also have a more even temperament and are hence more reliable as pack animals. The females also give more milk than a yak (or nak if you wish to go all grammar nazi with the Sherpa language). Back in the days before mechanised transport was introduced in the region, dzopkyos were much sought after throughout the greater Tibetan region. And the Sherpas were so good at this cross breeding business that they would take these crossbreeds as far away as Mustang in western Nepal.