Too right they are. As an Irish breed of cattle it probably isn't that much of a surprise to hear they are related to the Irish Kerry cattle, and bare the myth they grazed on Ireland's coastal seaweed and mated with sealions.
There are claims Dexters traveled on sailing ships as a source of fresh milk and meat, and were also taken to Japan in the late 1800's. The cattle may have got its name from Captain Dexter, an agent of the Lord Howarden of Tipperary, but no-one really seems sure, but the first herd book was produced in 1890 by the Royal Dublin Society.
It is interesting to note that as the smallest of naturally occurring British breeds they were kept by English aristocracy and landed gentry as a park animal on show estates, in the 18th century. While in Ireland to the small landholder it was to milk and to eat - or to sell to the wealthy.
The utility and dual purpose of the Dexter is a key to its continued popularity and survival as a rare breed. Milk production of up to 10 litres per day, with an even temperament and attractively marbled, tender and lean meat, combine with an early maturing, easy calving animal with excellent maternal instincts.
Ideal heights range from 97-107 cms for cows to 102-112 cms for bulls with weights in the vicinity of 360-450 kgs respectively. Usually a black colour they are occasionally red and dun, and their naturally small size appeals to small property owners looking for alternatives to the ride on mower, as well as anyone who appreciates that small-framed cattle can be more efficient than larger framed cattle. There are long or short leg types but both offer the benefit of less pasture damage.
Veronica and Alan Hall have a 14 hectare organic property at Ngatimoti and run a B&B, and a small herd Dexter cattle. Having read about this rare breed they attended the Dexter Cattle Society AGM and organised the purchase of two full breed cows from who they call 'Mr Dexter', Alex Meade who was responsible for first importing the breed into New Zealand. "They were three months old when they were sent down to us (from the North Island). They travelled for three days and they arrived in absolutely amazing good order. They settled in really well from the word go," Veronica explained.
Since that time the Halls have been cross breeding using artificial insemination to enable the use of very good semen straws, often from overseas and primarily for meat production, although they are described as beefy little milkers. "And we have gone more into the longer leg, rather than the shorter leg, as it is more practical that cute" she said.
"The best advantage of them is they go lightly on the ground because they are not massive, yet they still have a good meat to weight ratio. That's really good on small holdings that can't take a lot of traffic. We don't get the pugging we used to, and they forage really well and they'll browse on anything. And they have a really wonderful disposition over all, quite intelligent."
The Dexter Cattle Society was formed in 1994 and by May 2001 had a membership of 190 breeders with more than 1100 registered cattle. Just be sure to keep them well away from the sealions.
