A brief historical, morphologic and behavioural review of the camel Fuerteventura breed (Majorero) is presented. Genetic variability within the breed was analysed (n = 10) using 11 microsatellite markers, neutral to the selection, and compared with an African camel population (n = 37). In spite of the fact that there are significantly fewer Majorero camels than African, the level of inbreeding, measured by means of the statistic FIS, is almost 3 times higher in the African camel, (3.2 versus 8.7). The set of markers used shows significant differences between the two populations, (FST = 3.1%) and provides sufficient discrimination (> 99%) to carry out a proper control of parentage in the studbook. Nevertheless, the molecular information available does not manage to assign the individuals into clusters corresponding to its population.