DEXTER COW

Babyrousa babyrussa

STATUS: 

Not threatened.

DESCRIPTION: 

Dexter cattle are a minority breed of cattle and until fairly recently, were in fact considered as a rare breed. They are the smallest native breed, and originated in the South of Ireland in the 1800s as an ideal "cottager's cow", producing plenty of milk for the house and a calf to be reared for beef each year.  Dexters come in two different types: short-legged and long-legged. A short-legged Dexter cannot be bred with another short-legged Dexter.  Most Dexters are solid black. Red or dun are less common. Horns on cows are fine and curved forward. Bulls' horns are thick, solid, and slightly curved at the tips. The distinctive head is short and wide between the eyes, with straight sides.

SIZE: 

The animals vary in size, but are about half the size of a traditional Hereford and probably one third the size of something like a black and white Friesian milking cow.  According to the standards adopted by the American Dexter Cattle Association, the ideal three year old Dexter bull measures 38 to 44 inches at the shoulder and weighs less than 1000 pounds. The ideal three year old Dexter cow measures between 36 to 42 inches at the shoulder, and weighs less than 750 pounds.

POPULATION:

Abundant.
 

LIFESPAN: 

Varies from cow to cow, depending on farmers' needs.

RANGE: 

The native home of the Dexter is in the southern part of Ireland where they were bred by small holders and roamed about the shelterless mountainous districts in an almost wild state of nature.

HABITAT: 

They thrive in hot as well as cold climates and do well outdoors year round, needing only a windbreak, shelter and fresh water.

FOOD: 

They feed off of the land as well as grain farmers give them.

BEHAVIOR: 

OFFSPRING: 

THREATS: 

No particular threats, although Dexter cows are bred for their milk production and meat.