head shape in dexters

[Pauline]

I have four black heifer calves,Two have quite refined deer like head shapes,the other two are far chunkier in build,and have quite broad heads.None appear as 'extreme' and all are equally attractive to the owner! My question is do Dexter show judges have a preference, is it a case of lucky dip on the day,or are there fashionable years for one or the other?

[Woodmagic]

I have been waiting for someone to ask, do you know whether they are short leg or long? The animal carrying the bulldog gene, has a very different head, because the missing gene influences the shape. It is possible to breed a broader head in the non- short, which most Dexter breeders will favour, but not the extreme dished of the bulldog breeder. I would also ask whether it is polled, as animals, with the polling gene, tend to take after the original polled breed from which the polling is derived

[Inger]

Our polled animals have different shaped heads amongst them, that is, there is a variety of head shapes accross the polled cows. The foundation cows were Jersey.

[Pauline]

Holly is long legged from a long legged mum and has a deer head
Bramble is short legged from a short legged mum and has broad head
Olive is a long legged from a long legged mum and has a deer head
Daisymay is long legged from a short legged mum and has a broad head.
All the calves are horned.The bull used had horns,but his
Grandsire was polled.

(This all sounds more difficult than it looks!)

[Woodmagic]

Unfortunately, in breeding, a simple question often requires a complicated answer! When it comes to Dexters, it can be more so, since the bulldog gene can change the answer, which would otherwise apply.
In the case of the polled animal, if it inherits the poll factor, it is going to inherit the head type of the animal that provided the poll gene in the first instance. The judge will generally favour broader heads, but if the animal inherits the poll, and therefore, the type of head that belongs to the poll breed, it is probable that the judge will put it down the line. If it is horned, it will not inherit the grandparent’s poll head shape.

[Sylvia]

Putting aside all the complicated bits for a minute, I thought it had been proved that humans were programmed to be attracted to broad, short, turned up noses so that babies (who generally look like that) had a better chance of being loved rather that murdered on sight. Thus, generally, there may be a better chance of a correctly programmed judge preferring the 'cute' face in cattle too. Just a thought.

[Pauline]

so if my understanding is correct,I have two broad-headed chunky calves, one long- legged ,one short,both horned, who could do well in the ring.Brilliant!