Buyer question
Are Dexter cattle good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Dexter cattle 5 out of 5 for beginners (great small-farm pick).
Source: the Dexter cattle page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Dexter cattle in the Animal Library
The detail
Dexters are a small Irish breed, among the smallest European cattle, kept for both milk and beef. Their size makes them a favorite for homesteads with a few acres, and a cow can supply a family with milk and a steer with beef.
- Temperament
- Docile, hardy
- Best fit
- Homesteads, small acreage
- Docility
- 4 out of 5 (Gentle, easy to handle)
- Upkeep
- 2 out of 5 (Small, efficient)
- Hardiness
- 5 out of 5 (Thrives on forage)
What to weigh
Dexters carry chondrodysplasia, a dwarfism gene that is lethal when a calf gets two copies, and some lines also carry PHA. Every breeding animal should be tested.