West Wind Ranch Creations

The Irish Dexter is a rare breed of small-sized cattle, excellent for the hobby farm.

The Dexter is a dual purpose animal with both beef and dairy qualities.

Dexters originally come from south-western Ireland, and are likely the decedents of indigenous highland cattle.

While not much is known about their very early history, it is thought that freehold farmers initially domesticated them in the early-1800s, and maybe as far back as the mid-1700s. While other cattle breeds struggled with the area’s rough climate and less than ideal grazing conditions, the little Dexters survived and thrived, producing high quantities of milk and excellent beef.

The late 1800s saw the Dexter travel to England and beyond – the first arrivals in North America are believed to have come before 1900, and they were firmly established on this continent by the early 1900s.
Today, Dexters are classified as a rare breed and are bred in countries the world over and are now bred on almost every continent. They are not genetically altered or bred to be small, they just  are like a smaller cow with shorter legs.

                   RAMBO is the Dexter bull sire to our calves.

                                                                                                                       Ellie is the mother of our calves.

• Docile. Dexters are very docile animals, making them easy to handle and train. Their size also makes them ideal for younger 4-H members.
• Hardy. Dexters thrive in all climates, from Australia to Norway, from Canada to South Africa, and can even do well in areas with poorer soil and grazing conditions.
• Thrifty. Dexters need about half the space and the feed as a larger breed and are very efficient at converting feed into milk or beef.
• Easy calvers. Dexter heifers mature young, have an excellent maternal instinct and calves are usually born quickly and easily without human intervention. They are also known for their longevity.
• Dual-purpose. Dexters are known for producing excellent milk and meat products. Some call them "Triple-purpose" and add that they can be used to pull wagons etc. like oxen...