Dexter Cattle

Dexter cattle are the smallest North American breed of cattle. Because of this small size they make an ideal cow for small
family farms. Dexter cattle were originally brought to the U.S. in 1912 from Ireland and quickly became popular due to their ideal size for the small family farms of the time.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo currently has one Dexter cow, "Katie," a 10-year old female that resides in the New England Farmyard.

Description: 

Dexter cattle are the smallest North American breed with a bull weighing up to 800 lb. and standing 47" tall and the cow weighing up to 650 lb. and standing 43". Dexter cattle can be black, red or dun, or a combination of those colors.

Habitat: 

Farms.

Range: 

Dexter cattle are a domestic breed raised on farms throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world.

Diet: 

Grass, hay, and other vegetation.

Life Span: 

Dexter cattle can live into their teens.

Family Life: 

They generally give birth to a single calf.

Status: 

Listed as Rare (fewer than 5,000 worldwide).


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