Breed History

The origin of the Dexter is one that is full of controversy. The common assumption has been that this breed is a cross between the Kerry and some other breed. It has also been claimed that a "Mr. Dexter," who was agent to Lord Hawarden, is responsible for this Irish breed.

The first recorded knowledge of Dexters in America is when more than two hundred Dexters were imported to the United States between 1905 and 1915.

Dexters were first introduced into Canada in the 1960's. In 1978 Doris and Marshall Crowe and a small group of people brought a shipment of Dexters from England.

Dexters are black, dun (light brown) and red in colour. The Dexter cows mature to a weight of  600 to 800 lbs and 38 to 42 inches tall at the shoulder while bulls mature  800 to 1000 lbs.  and are 40 to 44 inches tall. The cattle are naturally horned but many breeders choose to  dehorn them. In resent years polled genetics have been available and are becoming increasingly popular.