> How can you tell if Dexter cattle
> are dwarf? Dexters can be small and dwarf, or small and not dwarf. They can even be quite large and still be considered dwarf. All that said, there are some key indicators of a dwarf animal (Dexters or otherwise). Some of these are: Shortened limbs. In the Dexter its mostly manifested by extremely short cannon bones in the lower leg. The cell structure is actually compressed. Out of proportion head, appearing to be much larger in proportion to the rest of the body. A deep, potbelly-like midsection. Again, out of proportion in relation to the rest of the body. Not all Dexters show this condition. Many breeders are developing lines of cattle that are small but overall proportionate in size - everything is downsized equally. The Dexter is becoming a popular breed for those with smaller acreage. They are a dual purpose animal, and many breeders are breeding for more beef qualities (heavier muscled hind quarters for example) without sacrificing the overall good character of the breed.
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