[2]: 145 [3][4] It forms part of a larger group of related breeds including the Gurgucke, Lekbibaj and Prespa of Albania,[2]: 205 [5]: 715  the Gacko or Gatacko of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Greek Shorthorn, the Metohija Red of Kosovo and the Rodopi of Bulgaria.

From the early twentieth century to the time of the Second World War, the Croatian Busa was cross-bred with bulls of the Austrian Montafon and Tyrolean Grey breeds.

[2]: 146  In general terms, the cattle weigh some 150–250 kg, stand some 90–115 cm at the withers, and are reared in mountainous areas.

[14]: 411 Until the middle of the twentieth century, the Buša was the dominant cattle breed of the inhabitants of the wider area of the Balkans, and spread south of the Sava and Danube rivers, from Avala to Olympus and from the Rhodope to the Velebit.

[citation needed] Early weaning of calves, premature fertilization of young cows, poor nutrition and accommodation affected the morphological and physiological characteristics of Buša.

Resident herders who lived in multi-member cooperative families where the division of labor was carried out according to gender and age, managed to provide the basic necessities of life with their work.

The livestock breeding system (sheep, goats and cattle) meant summer grazing on mountain pastures and descent before winter to permanent settlements at lower altitudes.