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Make sure you enjoy the photos below this article! |
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They can come in three colours Dun (left), black (centre) and red (right) |
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Maybe you would prefer to just sit back and enjoy the calves. In a variety of ways Dexters are truly delightful!! |
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and are even great for the kids to show |
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Are on their best behaviour when you take them out for the day, |
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or just cuddle up and have a sleep with when the showing is done |
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They are good foragers |
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but still enjoy a feed of hay! |
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They are oh so inquisitive |
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There are two different styles and they can come with short legs |
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or long |
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The cows have good udders and make excellent house cows with plenty of milk to still feed their calf |
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Then like to rest in the shade! |
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The bulls are impressive both youngsters and mature |
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Promoting Dexter Cattle in Western Australia |
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Buying a Dexter the Options |
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If you’re planning to become involved with Dexter cattle, your eventual aim may well be a small herd of registered purebred Dexters. There are several ways of achieving this. The surest and fastest way to achieve the purebred herd you want is to purchase purebred Dexter females in calf to a purebred Dexter bull. Not surprisingly this is a little more expensive because you are paying for someone else to have done the initial work for you. But there are other options. As with anything, expect to pay more for quality. Major show winners, highly classified animals and outcross bloodlines will be more costly. As a general rule immature stock will be cheaper than mature animals and prices of well-handled Dexters (i.e. anything halter trained and quiet) will reflect the work put into them. It usually pays to inspect a number of animals before you buy, to ensure you make the choice that is right for you. Purebred Dexters – These days all Dexters are very competitively priced. A purebred cow (or older heifer) is still the most expensive to buy, particularly if she is in calf. However you will be buying a proven breeder and you will not have to wait too long until she calves, adding a second valuable animal to your herd. Her conformation and temperament can also be assessed. Next in cost is an unmated heifer calf. This can be an appealing option, although you cannot be sure how she will mature. Mating cannot take place until she is around 12-14 months of age - often a little older for the shortleg Dexters. You will have the costs and work associated with getting her pregnant and then another 9 months will pass before calving. These days an increasing number of older matrons are available. Still very functional and well conformed, they may be ex-show stock and proven breeders. If you are only after a small herd, they will prove easy care cows, able to provide excellent calves for many years to come. A purebred Dexter bull will be similar in price to a bull of any breed, and can be used over purebred or grade females. A herd bull is a great advantage in a herd of any size. New owners of Dexter cattle who do not wish to own a bull can utilise a wide range of bloodlines at a reasonable cost by means of artificial insemination. It is sometimes possible to lease a bull from another Dexter breeder or to make agistment arrangements. Embryos – A purebred embryo costs less than a purebred heifer calf, but its sex will be unknown. The asking price of a cow certified to be carrying a Dexter embryo will be around the price of a heifer. (But you will also have the cow which you can sell later). An embryo calf will carry the stud name of the owner at the time of its birth. Embryos are usually the result of a mating between two particularly desirable animals, where breeders are trying to achieve more than one calf per year from that mating. Grade animals – A Grade 1 Dexter is a registered female whose dam was a non-Dexter cow and whose sire was a registered purebred Dexter. Grade 1 females mated to another registered Dexter bull produce Grade 2 females, and so on. Registered Grade 4 females are considered purebred. All grade bulls should be castrated as their progeny will not be registrable. Purchasing registered Grade females from other breeders will save time in a grading up program. No new Grade 1 Dexters will be registered if born after 31st March, 2006. Points to remember As with any pedigreed animal, it is essential to ask for proof of registration for any Dexter you are considering purchasing and to purchase only from registered Dexter breeders. It is always the prerogative of the purchaser to request and pay for a veterinary inspection for soundness of any prospective purchase. Always ask for a certificate of pregnancy and make sure joining details are recorded on the back of the animal’s pedigree certificate when purchasing pregnant Dexters. If you are considering purchasing stock from interstate, ask for a specific video of the animal being considered that includes footage of the animal standing, walking on level ground and viewed from all sides to indicate colouring, size and conformation. Show the video to someone with knowledge of cattle before committing yourself if you are unsure of good and bad features. Quarantine regulations will apply to stock purchased Interstate. If possible, ask to see progeny and parents of the animal before purchase. If an older cow is being considered ask about her breeding history – has she been flushed, when was she last in calf, how many times has she been mated, how many calves has she produced? Always ask for a fertility guarantee. It is also wise to ask about an animal’s medical history, including any problems, vaccination and drenching history. Check with the Dexter Group of W.A. or the DCAI for information on desirable conformation, colour and information on particular sires or dams. So . . . . there are several options to start breeding Dexters. We trust these few notes have caught your imagination and you will make further investigations into this fascinating, naturally-small breed. Any Committee member will be able to give you advice on the costs associated with becoming a member of D.C.A.I. Many DGWA members will be more than happy to show you around their herd and talk Dexters. Some of them will have stock for sale. Breeding Dexters involves a deal of time and effort, but the rewards can be delightful. Good luck and happy Dextering |
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Dexters are a naturally horned breed With an impressive set of horns on this mature cow |
