Post by lonecowhand on Dec 17, 2014 19:11:02 GMT
The first time I saw a Dexter was at the San Francisco Zoo, in the childrens petting farm. There were horned cows whose backs were lower than the rail fence, on the fence was a sign that said Rare Heritage Dexter Cattle. I fell in love.
Traditional Dexters fit the description of an Heirloom: a valuable possession which is unique and historical in nature. Their heritage status implies a duty to pass it along , unsullied. As such , they were kept intact for the last century because folks respected the value of the animal, saw and appreciated the uniqueness and utility, and respected the hundred or more years of breeding purity.
Like with a treasured Heirloom, you have a responsibility,: you don't go knocking off the knobs and changing the paint job. You respect the wishes and appreciation of those from whom it was inherited.
Like heirloom seed, you have a responsibility to maintain the strain. You can use the heirloom to add qualities and feature to your own breeding, but your resulting crosses are no longer "Heirloom", and should not be represented as such.
One can use a Dexter as stock in a cross, and say they have bred a better animal, as is their right, but the resulting progeny is no longer the heirloom it was, and should have a new variety name, or at least bear the moniker: "Improved". Each time one 'dips into' a newgenetic pool, it dilutes the old gene pool. If you are trying to create a new breed, that's the method you use.
If you are trying to maintain the heritage status, you do not encourage outcrossing with new varieties, you have a trust to maintain the gene pool
and pass it along for the future.
There really doesn't need to be arguements over what attributes are better, the arguement is moot, the Breed Standards have not changed. You can still find the Dexter Heritage Breed intact, you just have to do your research. This forum can help, if you ask the right questions.
I'm hoping folks will always be able to find the little horned cows whose backs are below the fence.
Bill
Traditional Dexters fit the description of an Heirloom: a valuable possession which is unique and historical in nature. Their heritage status implies a duty to pass it along , unsullied. As such , they were kept intact for the last century because folks respected the value of the animal, saw and appreciated the uniqueness and utility, and respected the hundred or more years of breeding purity.
Like with a treasured Heirloom, you have a responsibility,: you don't go knocking off the knobs and changing the paint job. You respect the wishes and appreciation of those from whom it was inherited.
Like heirloom seed, you have a responsibility to maintain the strain. You can use the heirloom to add qualities and feature to your own breeding, but your resulting crosses are no longer "Heirloom", and should not be represented as such.
One can use a Dexter as stock in a cross, and say they have bred a better animal, as is their right, but the resulting progeny is no longer the heirloom it was, and should have a new variety name, or at least bear the moniker: "Improved". Each time one 'dips into' a newgenetic pool, it dilutes the old gene pool. If you are trying to create a new breed, that's the method you use.
If you are trying to maintain the heritage status, you do not encourage outcrossing with new varieties, you have a trust to maintain the gene pool
and pass it along for the future.
There really doesn't need to be arguements over what attributes are better, the arguement is moot, the Breed Standards have not changed. You can still find the Dexter Heritage Breed intact, you just have to do your research. This forum can help, if you ask the right questions.
I'm hoping folks will always be able to find the little horned cows whose backs are below the fence.
Bill
