Dexter Cattle are the smallest purebred breed of cattle in the world. They are a dual purpose animal, producing excellent meat and high quality milk in respectable quantities.
The breed originated in the South and South-Western districts of Ireland, where the cattle thrived in the sparse mountainous regions. Dexters were first introduced into England in the 1850's, USA in 1912 and Canada in the 1960's. In 1978 Doris and Marshall Crowe and a small group of people brought a shipment of Dexters from England. These animals have been instrumental in the renewed interest in Dexters in Canada.
The Canadian Dexter Cattle Association was formed in 1986 by a group of Ontario Dexter owners and now has 133 members across Canada and over 1260 animals registered in the herd book.
Dexters are usually black in colour but are often dun (light brown) and occasionally red. The cows mature at 650 to 800 lbs while the bulls mature at 800 to 1000 lbs. The cattle are naturally horned but many breeders dehorn them.
Dexters are very hardy animals and are easy to care for. They are known for their ease in calving and make good mothers. Breeding longevity is excellent and cows calve regularly to 16 or 18 years of age.
Dexter bulls are now being used in cross breeding with larger beef breeds, especially on first calf heifers, to ensure easy calving with a smaller calf..
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