Introduction

[genebo]

Mr. Meyer,

You will be traveling a well-worn path in your attempt to unravel the true origins of our breed. So much has been written that it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine truth from fiction.

Much of what has been written was believed to be true by those who wrote it. Yet, when multiple accounts are read, it is apparent that they can't all be true.

One example is the existence of a man named Dexter, who formed the breed. Did such a man actually exist? You will find people on both sides of the question, with plausible accounts to support their position.

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor and hope you will keep us informed as you progress.

A good start would be Judy Sponaugle, who has actual documentation of registrations of Dexter cattle dating back a long, long way.

After reading so many variations about the origin of the breed, I fashioned a version that pleases me and satisfies my curiosity. I'm well aware that it is likely wrong in some serious ways, but it keeps me from fretting about it. I often tell new people, who visit my Dexters, that the true origins are beyond me, then tell them my version. It lets us proceed to other matters.

I'm really pleased to read that you are taking on this task.

[genebo]

My version is short and sweet. It's barely enough to cover the essentials. It is best used to provide just enough to permit moving on to another subject. I don't really believe that the absolute truth can be dug out of all the many versions at this late date.

That said, here goes:

"In the beginning, Ireland was a bastion of small landholdings, where families depended upon their cow to provide them with milk and meat. Because the landholdings were small, the farmers began choosing smaller cows, that ate less. After a long time, selecting for smaller cows produced a noticeable number of them. They became readily available at markets where cattle were sold.

A gentleman from England became infatuated with the small cattle of Ireland and began collecting them. He took some back to England, where they were standardized into a breed. The cattle became known as Dexter cattle. The first Dexter cattle registry was formed in England, not Ireland, but the cattle have always been known by their country of origin, Ireland.

This all took place in the 19th century. By he time the first Dexter cattle were imported to America, the name was firmly in place. Dexters of today carry the same general characteristics as those originally imported to this country. There are still some that can trace their ancestry all the way back to the original American Dexters. Our version of "coming over on the Mayflower"."

If you were to have everyone on this board post their own favorite story of how Dexters came to be, you would be shocked at the differences. Mine varies from time to time, based upon what I've recently read, but not by much.

[jamshundred]

Hi Mr. Meyer,

That is one. . . . . scary. . . . . avatar.   But. . .  also. . . . . interesting.  Is that a mystical character? 

If I can help with references to resources you are always welcome to ask.   Google books is an excellent source of all types of historical works.  Abebooks.com is another great source of out-of-print used books.   If you have not already started with the early cattle books by Wallace and Youett those would be good sources.  I always enjoy flipping through the pages of early books on livestock and seeing the photos and how drastic livestock have changed with time.  Or sadly, how many breeds are gone from us.

I think that the Dexter book many like is the one by Mr. Curran.  It used to be impossible to find but I believe it was reprinted.  Another one I like is the book by Dr. Thower. who had the Parndon herd.  John Hays, an American breeder also wrote a book, and Ted Neal of the UK as well as Beryl Rutherford have books and there is one on the Islington herd.   

For me it is difficult to experience that there are those who do not realize that the dwarf genes in the Dexter breed were the very reason they survived as other viable breeds have not.  Features that were described and treasured in early descriptions and brochures of the breed and even in the breed standard. . . . are the features donated by the dwarf genetics.   Perhaps. . . . . the breed can be miniaturized and dwarfism removed and many would be thrilled. .  .  but that would NOT be a Dexter.  We cannot remove one genetic trait and not take treasured other ones with it.  Maybe I could interest you in delving into this in your research and writing?

Good luck.  Like Gene, it would be great to have some new research.  

Judy

[jamshundred]

Mr. Meyer,

You can call me Judy!  Everyone else does.  Well, some have a few other names for me call me anything.. . I answer to it all.

The earliest photo I recall having is one that I took from an early copy of the American Agriculturist.  I think that was 1879 and it was an article about the Kerry and Dexter breeds.  The photo is on my website, I didn't copy the article but those old newspapers are tucked among the chaos her somewhere.  The earliest "official" history that you might found without too much effort is in the preface of the first Kerry/Dexter herdbook.
That is readable online or for download to a Google Books page.  You may already have that.  I know there was something written in the early magazine that published the very first pedigrees.  I think that was 1879 too, so may the date for the other magazine was earlier, around the same time, or a bit later.  Have to find the newspaper for you. . or maybe the date is on my website with the photo?  These references would be constructed from information found prior to the formal establishment of the breed I would think.   I have a print from an early photo called "Prize cattle".  That is also on my website.  I guess these are cattle that were the champions at the show?  Down in front of the other breeds are the beautiful little dwarf Dexters.  I think that photo was sometime past mid 1800's.  Dates get jostled around in the brainbase. . .so anything that is of interest or need for you I will try to find.   The Curran book was from the Royal Dublin Society, and he authored it. . . " Kerry and Dexter Cattle,  A History", P.L. Curran.  Probably one of the more respected and detailed books available.  I have never checked to see if this one is on Google.   There are other sources of information at various libraries in Massachusetts, the Cornell library, the English library, and I am sure in Ireland.  I don't think anyone believes the Mr. Dexter story precisely, but I have seen a theory regarding that name that was quite plausible.

I am always around if you have a question.

Judy

[cascade]

This Official Article might help a little

www.dextercattle.org/adca/adca_article_chondrodysplasia.html