Irish Dexter Breed Standards
From the Dexter Herd
Book Volume XXIII 1999
published by AMERICAN DEXTER CATTLE ASSOCIATION
The following guidelines for the Dexter bull and cow are meant as a guide to Dexter enthusiasts and breeders and represent ADCA consensus as to desired characteristics. These guidelines are not used to determine the registration of animals which is solely a matter of pedigree.
Guidelines
Description for the Dexter Bull
The Dexter is both a milk-producing and a beef-making breed.
COLOR - Whole black, red or dun, the three colors being of equal merit. A little white on organs of generation is permissible.
NECK - Broad forehead, tapering gracefully toward the muzzle which should be broad with wide, distended nostrils. Strong lower jaw with jaws meeting properly. Eyes should be bright and prominent.
NECK - Well set into the shoulders which, when viewed in front, should be wide.
HORNS - These should be moderately thick, springing well from the head, with an inward and slightly upward curve. Removal of the horns is allowed without penalization.
BODY - Well proportioned regarding height to length. Shoulders of medium thickness, full and well filled behind which, when viewed from the front, show thickness through the heart, the breast coming well forward, the chest with a wide floor resulting in ample width between the legs. Hips wide; quarters thick and deep and well sprung, wide across the loins. Legs short to moderate but not excessively long, and well placed under the body; forelegs straight, wide apart and squarely placed; hind legs nearly perpendicular form hock to pastern when viewed from the side, and straight and wide apart when viewed from the rear. Feet short, well rounded with deep heel, level sole and toes properly spaced. Tail well set and level with the back.
SKIN - Skin should be soft and mellow, and handle well; hair fine, plentiful and silky.
WEIGHT - Bulls at three years old and over should not exceed 1,000 lbs live weight.
HEIGHT - Bulls should not exceed more than 44 inches in height nor stand less than 38 inches at the shoulder at three years of age.
Guidelines
Description for the Dexter Cow
The Dexter is both a milk-producing and a beef-making breed.
COLOR - Whole black, red or dun, the three colors being of equal merit. A small amount of white on the udder and underline is permissible but not forward of the umbilicus. A few white hairs in teh tassel of the tail is permissible.
NECK - Broad forehead, tapering gracefully toward the muzzle which should be broad with wide, distended nostrils. Strong lower jaw with jaws meeting properly. Eyes should be bright and prominent.
NECK - Well set into the shoulders, not too thick or too short.
HORNS - These should be moderately thick, springing well from the head, with an inward and slightly upward curve. Removal of the horns is allowed without penalization.
BODY - Well proportioned regarding height to length. Shoulders of medium thickness, full and well filled behind which, when viewed from the front, show thickness through the heart, the breast coming well forward, the chest with a wide floor resulting in ample width between the legs. Hips wide; quarters thick and deep and well sprung, wide across the loins. A straight underline with udder firmly attached front and rear with strong center support. Udder and teats should be of moderate size with teats of equal size squarely placed on an udder with clearly defined halving. Legs short to moderate but not excessively long, and well placed under the body; forelegs straight, wide apart and squarely placed; hind legs nearly perpendicular from hock to pastern when viewed from the side, and straight and wide apart when viewed from the rear. Feet short, well rounded with deep heel, level sole and toes properly spaced. Tail well set and level with the back.
SKIN - Skin should be soft and mellow, and handle well; hair fine, plentiful and silky.
WEIGHT - Cows at three years old and over should not exceed 750 lbs live weight.
HEIGHT - Mature cows should not exceed more than 42 inches in height nor stand less than 36 inches at the shoulder.