Photo of one of our cows at Bryn Mawr just recently taken, but soon to fade into the mist of time, just like all the Dexters before her.

An Outstanding Description of the Dexter

     In America and all across the globe, it was much more common for Dexters to be black. So much so, that at one point people even forgot that they were once another color and when asked they may not even have known that the original breed standard allowed for red Dexters to be registered. It was common knowledge that they had horns. This article is 1976 states a fairly common view of what Dexters were before the widespread introduction of polled genetics into the breed. They may have been black like angus and small in size but their horns strikingly set them apart. It was a significant breed identifier that let you know they were not just little angus. As the article states “the Dexter has a set of horns that make them look outstanding”.

              Of course, the size of the Dexter is a breed identifier, but it alone has not been the sole identifier. Today as many small breeds and cross breeds are being developed it becomes more common to see “mini” cattle where the cows are between 700-800 pounds and the bulls are up to a thousand. Size alone is not enough to set Dexters apart as a breed regardless of height or weight. Besides just physical attributes there are practical attributes that this article quickly highlights, that showcases Dexters as a unique small breed. They are not just for eye appeal or for cute pasture ornaments, but rather work well for the true purpose of a dual-purpose breed supplying both milk and beef. Another significant and often reported Dexter identifier is that they will survive on low quality pasture, living outdoors year-round and browse well for cattle. They have very docile bulls, and this is one of the very reasons new cattle owners become attracted to the breed. This trait is so important for the future preservation of the breed as it attracts so many people to cattle in general, due to the ease of handling. This is something we should never loose from the Dexter breed by improper breeding by using bulls with bad temperaments or cross breeding in breeds with bad temperaments spoiling the breed. How ruined could the Dexter be, if the breed became synonymous with poorly behaved and mean-spirited bulls?

              What a beautiful description Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wright of Shady Nook farms has supplied for us 50 years later long after their Dexters have expired. Strange coincidence that the article mentions 50 years for a different remembrance as I look back and read this article 50 years later. When looking them up I found nothing under their names but I did find some Dexters registered to the Farm name Shady Nook, that had to be theirs due to the time of registration. Five Dexters only ever registered under the name of Shady Nook and only one of which ever went on to have registered offspring. A bull named Shady Nook’s Dubar born in 1976 , who sired two registered calves. This is all too common of a story in Dexters, new breeders, small operation, few cattle registered and then Dexters lost to the history of time.  It causes one to consider that not only must we hold onto breed identifying traits, but also the very Dexters that bore those traits by putting them in the hands of people who will keep them breeding. Breed them strong and breed them long. Long live the true Irish Dexter!

 Article taken from Lancaster Farming, 17 July 1976.

Thank you for reading and considering, Danielle of Bryn Mawr.

Please ask permission before reprinting.

When people ask me why I think the history of Dexter Cattle is important this is just one great reason that I may give. If you see changes over years happening during the foundational years you can see how breeders were interpreting improvement during a time when people were focusing on breed selection to adhere to a standard that was the norm for the day. You can also see changes that happened over the years and genetics that were diminished in frequency or increased in frequency.
Dexter cattle, though many were black in the early days compared to today this bull Bantam in the top photo was red. During the foundational years it was much more common to find a red Dexter than it was in America prior to people intentionally selecting to increase or preserve red Dexters. Now today red is so common that if someone did not know the History of the breed, they may think it was the predominate color from the beginning.

It’s an interesting point to note; this bull Bantam was bred by the Prince of Wales at Sandringham in 1896. Bantam is what a Champion prize Dexter looked like in 1897. This location is situated in Sandringham, Norfolk, England. Dexters had a very early start of popularity in England being bred by some very noteworthy people. In 1862 Sandringham Estate was under 8,000 acres were as today the acreage is closer to 20,000 acres. If you look at the second picture you will see that in 1914 Dexters were still being breed at Sandringham by the King. The first bull Bantam has a good broad form for a Dexter of his day but when you compare him to the form of the Dexter bull that the King had in the photograph in 1914 you will see he has a broad back end as well as his front. It would be really nice to see a clearer photo of the second bull but we can see enough to consider some of his conformation. Improvements with each generation are very important and should always be improved based upon the breed standard of a breed, because without a standard there is no direction for improvement. While improving on beef traits one must always remember to improve dairy traits equally too, so as not to diminish dairy traits in favor of beef. A beautiful beefy bull is of little value to a dual-purpose breed if he only throws daughters that lack quality dairy traits. When both traits are in harmony you get a great dual-purpose Dexter.

Charles Sumner Plumb was a very accomplished man, not just an influential breeder for Kerry and Dexter cattle, but a man of great learning, who had written books and conducted many studies on farming and livestock. Plumb was born in Massachusetts where he initially went to Massachusetts Agricultural College. His education and studies are extensive but as Dexter breeders we will most likely appreciate him for his influence on The American Kerry and Dexter Cattle Club or latter known as the American Dexter Cattle Association.

Charles Plumb directed experiment stations in Indiana, Tennessee and New York in his work of studying agriculture and farming practices. Once in Indiana he demonstrated his interest in dairy traits and established the Indiana State Dairy Association. It is interesting that the Royal Dublin Society (Irish), The English Dexter Cattle Society and the American Dexter Cattle Society all had founding members that were influential, that had an interest in dairy traits and many seeking to establish dairy records for Kerry and Dexter cattle.  In 1902 he became a Professor for The Ohio State University. When you later see Dexters registered you will find that they are being registered with the breeder listed as Ohio State University. When you see Professor Plum being listed in the herd book you will find his location listed as Columbus Ohio, the same location as the Ohio State University where he headed up the Animal Husbandry Department. He may not have a personal herd name appointed to his influence on breeding Dexters, but his hand in the matter is absolutely clear. He was not only the Secretary of the American Kerry and Dexter cattle Club, but the treasurer too. He had a very preserving interest in Kerry and Dexter cattle.

In 1910 Professor Plumb made a search for breeders of both Kerry and Dexter Cattle in America. Less than 20 herds were found, thankfully some of them were larger growing herds. By 1911 a list of Officers was suggested and a very good start was within reach. Charles Plumb even traveled to Ireland, England and Scotland. It is interesting to note that in 1913 Plumb expressed that Kerry and Dexter were not common in England or even Ireland. In Ireland he stated that there were not many outside of the Southwestern Section. This is the location of county Kerry the original famed homeland of Kerry and Dexter cattle. It is alarming to note that by 1920 he concernedly stated that there had been no Kerry cattle registered since 1916. Dexters themselves at that time had extremely low registrations and that publishing a second volume would take years before enough registrations could fill a new volume. With these declining numbers it becomes clear why the American Kerry and Dexter Cattle Club became just the American Dexter Cattle Association over time.

              So much more could be said about Professor Plumb, but it is enough to say that he was well received in his profession and appreciated. He held the position Of Professor of Animal Husbandry at the Ohio State University from 1902 to 1931. He only resigned to further conduct studies in animal husbandry. In his life he wrote quite a few books. These works included “Beginnings in Animal Husbandry”, “Biographical Directory of American Agricultural Scientists”, “Indian Corn Culture”, “Judging Farm Animals” and “Types and Breed of Farm Animals”.

As you can see Plumb like most serious breeders knew that a “Disqualification should be applied to the representative of any breed that does not conform to the established standard” and he was willing to put that in writing, so that others may have the benefit of learning from his knowledge. He valued the Scale of Points for evaluating an animal for perfection. But he would clearly state that no animal is perfect and all animals can be improved upon in some aspect. It is very good to know that Plumb like so many of the founders of Dexters in different countries cared about breed standards for breeding quality Dexter cattle. I hope this may be an inspiration to all who may read it, to keep the standard and breed for quality as Plumb was seeking to do. If you find yourself interested in reading the complete book to get a better understanding, you can find his book on Archive. Judging farm animals : Plumb, Charles S. (Charles Sumner), 1860-1939 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Charles Sumner Plumb left his name marked in the History of Dexter and Kerry cattle and on the campus of Ohio State University where Plumb Hall was named in his honor after his death. Today it is still used by the department of Animal Sciences. It is very interesting to consider all of Plumb’s expertise and how men just like him in England and Ireland were establishing the Herd Books, Associations and Societies. These men had their hand in laying the foundations for the breed, gathering pedigreed livestock for herd books, writing detailed descriptions of the breeds and following them, so that people knew what to expect from Kerry and Dexter cattle. It’s a wonderful thing to know our breed was established and promoted by men that were not mere armatures randomly defining terms and organizing registries, but men with the skills to help the breed be better understood.

Thank you for taking time to read my articles. Please do not share these articles without credit being given to Danielle of Bryn Mawr and asking permission to do so.

From Judy Sponaugle