Naturally small and solidly built, Dexters are no new age cow. In fact they descend from an ancient Celtic breed known to have occurred in Ireland at least as early as the Neolithic (New Stone Age) which began in Britain around 5000 years ago.  The Dexter evolved from the native Irish cattle along with the larger and lighter-boned Kerry breed – and until the 1870’s they were not considered separate breeds. 

Dexters are good mothers and will often feed another cow's calf. Photo: Wayne Martin.

Dexters are still today well suited for both meat and milk production. Most commonly black and naturally horned, they can also be red or dun coloured and many today are polled.  They can be quite a graceful animal in spite of their sturdy build. The ideal Dexter cow should be between 96 centimetres and 108 centimetres high at the rump.  Bulls should range from 100 centimetres to 114 centimetres high at the rump.  For those wondering how that measures up next to an average cow, the common Friesian is 135 centimetres for a cow and 150 centimetres for a bull.

Their quiet, easy nature makes Dexters an excellent choice for lifestyle and small blocks. They are easy to handle and generally require less in the way of fencing and yards than larger animals.

“Their size makes them less dominating, especially for a lifestyler who hasn’t had a lot of dealings with cattle. You feel more comfortable with them,” the president of the Dexter Cattle Society, Keith Wratt, told Rural Living. They are easy to get in calf, generally calve easily and are also ideal for multiple suckling.  Excellent producers of both milk and beef – providing smaller, tasty cuts of meat– the Dexters’ lighter weight also makes them better for the land, especially under wet conditions.

Originally imported into New Zealand in 1904, the breed was maintained for only a few years and it wasn’t until 1979 that Dexter

semen was brought back into the country. A cross breeding programme was implemented over a number of years. The first New Zealand born Pure Bred Dexter was born in 1988 and since then the Dexter Herd has grown through natural breeding and the importation of live animals from around the world. Dexter semen from New Zealand and around the world is also available.

The New Zealand Dexter Breeders Association was formed in 1994 and in  2000 was renamed The Dexter Cattle Society New Zealand Incorporated. The Society maintains the only Dexter Herd Book in New Zealand. At the end of March 2007 there were just under 400 members owning around 1200 Pure Bred Dexters and 1900 Grade Dexters  

The Dexters’ ancient lineage and its excellent qualities as a dual purpose animal have led The Dexter Cattle Society to actively promote the preservation of the breed.