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Post by wvdexters on Dec 31, 2013 13:00:03 GMT -5
What a great question Louise. One to really get me thinking.
First off, when you say traits are we talking "all traits". You've listed many of the physical traits unique to shorties but what of the temperament/personality traits that many of us also find unique to them. Their small size, and ability to thrive on meager pasture first led me to this breed but it is their ways that make me love them. This is a tough area, and with limited pasture I am usually right in there with them. My shorties are so calm and easy for me to care for. I look forward to spending time with them everyday even on wintry days like this.
So if we are talking about the same exact animal; physical characteristics as well as temperament and behavior. The same body build, dwarfed appearance (not simply a miniature version of a non-chondro), same foraging ability and pasture requirements... The shortie dexter without the gene I would give them a try. I would not replace the dexters I have now but I would certainly give These a go too.
And especially for the non-chondro breeders. They could get a chance to enjoy these guys for themselves.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Dec 31, 2013 15:50:02 GMT -5
I sort of laugh when I look at our bull Mike's photo in the A.I bulls of the ADCA. He looks so big and scary in the photo. I should have had it taken with me standing next to him. He is only as tall as my waist and I'm 6 foot tall, though my legs are a little long for my height (I'm clearly a non-chondro human).
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Post by truth on Jan 1, 2014 5:45:34 GMT -5
Hi,
Beauty is near identical to one of my cows. Those that have seen my herd especially when it was big saw the ones I termed minature rather than dwarf they also saw the pygmy ones. Steepmarsh Kitty is of the minature type look up the pedigree. I investigated the origin of the minatures in UK and they went back to Woodmagic but a specific line. Beryl gave females in the line a Z for first letter of pedigree name. An important bull from this line was Woodmagic Roebuck. He is pictured in the UK herd book as well as minature he was dun.
The Z line traces back to the famous Atlantic herd and Zephyr 2nd . Minature may have come in from other lines also, Beryl points at Mudstopper! as different from usual shorty but not long legged.
mike
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Post by carragheendexters on Jan 1, 2014 6:25:24 GMT -5
 Beauty is shown here because she is the Dexter cow that was described in the hypothetical question above. She is 37" hip and shoulder Hi Genebo, she looks young in the photo, only looks about 18months old. How old is she? If still young, she will still grow a fair bit before fully grown out to her mature height, so she will end up a fair bit more than 37 inches. regards Louise
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 1, 2014 7:05:38 GMT -5
She's a pretty girl...I agree with Louise that she'll probably end up taller than 37", however she possesses a phenotype of a fairly heavy bodied cow on shorter than normal legs. So even with a few more inches on her she'll have a nice look to her for a non-carrier.
I don't know what it is about the chondro cows (and bulls), but they have a more placid nature to them. In our batch of calves we've delivered in the past few weeks, we did their dehorning a few days ago. We had 9 of them to do, 7 of them are obvious chondro carriers. Guess which ones we were able to catch first in their small breeding pasture with very little fuss? Yup, the chondro carriers. One little non-carrier (the youngest heifer) has proven to be elusive yet. We'll have to catch her while she's napping.
Mike (Truth), I'm happy you've found us here. It looks like you have a lot of experience and history to contribute! Welcome!
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Post by hollydzie on Jan 1, 2014 12:08:31 GMT -5
It is funny how each person has a different situation . I had a chondro steer that was like a big puppy. Then I purchased a chondro heifer. She was simply a snot. I could not stand her disposition. To top it off she did have a breathing issue, do to her body structure. I had the vet check her and he said it was very typical to see in chondro animals. He was not a fan of them. My most docile cows are non chondro , we now have no chondro carriers. Tell if you think this bull is a carrier or not. After you do I will tell you his status, for fun. Holly  |
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zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502 
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Post by zephyrhillsusan on Jan 1, 2014 12:31:18 GMT -5
Fun! I love puzzles! Having only leased a chondro + bull for a few months, I find this guy a bit of a puzzle. Rear legs seem normal (below the hocks) with forelegs seeming short below the knees. There's something about his head that I can't pinpoint (large head? Short neck?) that makes me lean toward chondro. Pretty muscly rump, too. I'm on the fence, but leaning toward +.
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Post by legendrockranch on Jan 1, 2014 13:08:04 GMT -5
My guess would be non-carrier. Thank goodness we don't have to play guessing games anymore. Remember the days when cannon bones were measured to determine carrier status  Barb |
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Post by cddexter on Jan 1, 2014 14:58:09 GMT -5
wvdexters: "And especially for the non-chondro breeders. They could get a chance to enjoy these guys for themselves." Given the tenor of your posts in general, I have this nasty suspicion this isn't tongue in check, but a genuinely serious comment.
Care to elucidate? c.
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Post by carragheendexters on Jan 1, 2014 15:05:16 GMT -5
Hi Holly,
non-carrier
regards Louise
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Post by osf on Jan 1, 2014 15:07:17 GMT -5
Oh, that wouldn't be very sporting of me ... I recognized his pic and know who he is  |
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Post by hollydzie on Jan 1, 2014 15:17:14 GMT -5
Sheri, I didn't ask if he was a nice or particularly correct animal. I only asked if he looked condro or not. How could a yes or no be offensive. You wouldn't offend me either way.
Holly
osf quiet quiet now let see what others say....LOL
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 1, 2014 16:11:13 GMT -5
It helps to know the approximate age and have a point of reference to gauge height, but based on the appearance I'd also say non-carrier.
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Post by carragheendexters on Jan 1, 2014 16:12:07 GMT -5
Oh Holly, now you have me really curious to know. He just looks typical non-carrier, but now I'm guessing that I am wrong, and he is one of those you can't tell by looking.
Don't keep me in suspense, PM me the answer LOL
regards Louise
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 1, 2014 17:31:12 GMT -5
I'm not afraid of going out on a limb...Visualize the bull about 150 lbs. lighter, and it would be pretty clear he's a non-carrier. He is very well conditioned. Most carrier bulls with equivalent condition as this bull would be fairly easy to determine.
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