It has been exported to many countries including Australia, Brazil and South Africa, and has contributed to the development of a number of modern breeds, among them the Barzona[3]: 290  and the Droughtmaster.

The name derives from the Spanish-owned estate of Los Cerros de Santa Gertrudis, where in 1851 the King Ranch was established.

Between 1923 and 1935 a bull named Monkey was extensively used to fix the characteristics of the breed, which was officially recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1940.

[5]: 124 In 1931 the ranch imported from South Africa eleven cows and sixteen bulls of Afrikander stock, with the idea of using them to help fix the deep red coat color of the new breed.

[8] Signs of their indicine heritage include a small hump in bulls, medium-large ears, and loose skin with heavy folds below the neck.