KERRY CATTLE. 215 



having certain distinguishing characteristics, which were per- 

 petuated in after generations by attention to the same principle 

 in the selection of animals retained for breeding. Certainly 

 the points of the " Dexter " variety are sufficiently marked to 

 enable anyone to pick them out after a little experience. " The 

 * Dexter,' " as stated in the " Review " above quoted, " has a 

 round, plump body, square behind ; legs short and thick, with 

 the hoofs inclined to turn in ; the head is heavy, and wanting 

 in that fineness and life which the head of the true Kerry 

 possesses ; and the horns of the * Dexter ' are inclined to be 

 long and straight." It must not be supposed, however, that 

 the "Dexter" is to be considered a spurious Kerry, although 

 not an original Kerry, which is the meaning we wish to convey 

 by the term " true Kerry." This fact is recognised at all the 

 Irish royal shows, and, what is perhaps of more importance 

 with reference to this point, at the shows of the County of 

 Kerry Agricultural Society, the only difference being that there 

 is no separate classification at the royal shows, whereas the 

 prize sheet of the county society has separate sections for the 

 original Kerry and the " Dexter." The latter is, indeed, a 

 great favourite with many persons, and we have frequently 

 observed that the majority of the prizes at shows where there 

 was no separate classification were awarded to " Dexters." 



A cross of the West Highland Kyloe blood has been intro- 

 duced into the Kerry breed. This, however, has not been done 

 recently, so far as we can learn, nor to any great extent. The 

 traces of the cross are sufficiently evident to those who are 

 familiar with the particular characteristics of the two breeds. 

 The generality of people, however, either do not detect the 

 slight traces of the Kyloe cross which exist in some Kerries, 

 or do not attach any importance to them one way or other. 



The greatest drawback the Kerry breed has had to encounter 

 is neglect on the part of breeders, and the result is that it is 

 often difficult to pick ten really nice animals for breeding out 

 of a lot of fifty or sixty heifers as exposed for sale in any of the 

 fairs in Kerry. The remainder would be good grazing beasts, 

 but not such as a fancier would select as breeders. Still, very 

 nice specimens are often picked up amongst such lots, and we 

 have reason to believe that prizes have frequently been awarded 



