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The History of Dexters The dexter originated in the South Western region of Ireland. Like the Kerry, they are descended from the predominately black cattle of the early Celts. The Dexters were first fully described and mentioned by its proper name in a report of Irish cattle written in 1845 by Mr. David Low. From this publication we learn that the breed owes its modern appearance, name and qualities to a Mr. Dexter who came from Ireland in 1750 and made his home in Co Tipperary. David Low stated that a Mr. Dexter had produced this curious breed by selection from the best of the hardy mountain cattle of the area and that he had succeeded to a very high degree. The first herd book that listed Dexter and Kerry cattle was issued in 1890. Dexter cattle were first introduced into England in 1882. They were first shown at the Royal Show at Norwich in 1886. The first British herd book dates from 1900. By 1897, Dexter herds were present in Australia as well as South Africa and America. A herd of milking Dexters was kept at the Hawksbury Agricultural College, New South Wales in the early 1900's. Gradually the Dexter herds died out in Australia and their numbers diminished in the UK and other countries until they were placed on the endangered species list by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in England. The revival of the Dexter world wide has been extremely successful with Australia having a national herd of about 5,000 today and a breed Association membership of about 800. |