CHAPTER XL 



THE KERRY 



The native home of Kerry cattle is in western Ireland among 

 the Kerry mountains. The country is rough and the soil poor. 

 The climate is moist and fairly temperate. 



The origin of the Kerry is as uncertain as that of other British 

 breeds. From time immemorial it has been bred in Ireland, 

 where it is known as the "poor man's cow." The opinion of 

 British students is that this is a descendant from the smaller 

 type of aboriginal cattle of that country, of the same character 

 as the dark-colored cattle of Britain. Nothing more is known. 

 The development of the breed has mainly rested with the Irish 

 farmers or tenants, who keep but small herds. 



Characteristics of the Kerry. There are two types of Kerry 

 cattle, — the "true Kerry," which is usually black, and a smaller 

 type known as the " Dexter-Kerry." 



The true Kerry is a small breed of dairy cattle. The color is 

 black, though red sometimes occurs. White may occur about the 

 udder or scrotum, but is not desirable. The lean head carries 

 upstanding slender white horns with black tips. With cows the 

 neck is slender and long, the body of moderate proportions, the 

 legs fine and long, and the udder large with medium-sized teats. 

 In size this is one of the small breeds ; the cows often weigh 

 from 500 to 600 pounds, and frequently do not exceed 40 inches 

 high. The bulls are larger, weighing 800 to 1000 pounds. 



The Dexter-Kerry is of unknown cross. Some authorities 

 think that a Mr. Dexter nearly a century ago developed the breed 

 by crossing Kerries on other stock. Some others regard it as 

 a result of selection. This type is more blocky, shorter legged, 

 heavier of head and neck, and more beefy in type than the true 

 Kerry, and, as seen by the author, much smaller. The color 

 also is variable, being black, red, or roan. There are wider 



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