Back in the 1800s, they became extremely popular as a meat source, and they were frequently stolen because of how much money you could make by bringing a cow to the market for harvesting.
If your home is zoned for livestock and you have 1 1/2 to 2 acres available, then mini Highland cows make great pets. They are generally gentle and calm.
Highland cows are a very docile breed. That makes them perfect for family milk cows! They produce about 2-3 gallons of milk a day; enough for a homestead but not the most ideal breed for a dairy farm.