OFFICIAL STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR CATTLE 99 



Second. In color of hair, a shade of fawn, with white on 

 limbs and under part of body are considered the prevailing 

 markings, and some degree of uniformity is desirable. 



Third. One of the important distinguishing features of 

 the breed is the presence of a yellow color in the pigment 

 of the skin, which is indicative of rich golden color in the milk. 

 This is very pronounced in the Guernsey and held by her to 

 the greatest extent under all conditions of stabling and feed. 

 The intensity of this trait is more marked in some animals 

 and families than in others, but it should be kept at the high- 

 est standard. It is fast being recognized that this color is ac- 

 companied by a superior flavor in the milk and thus in the 

 butter. 



DAIRY TEMPERAMENT. 



By "dairy temperament" is meant a strong overruling pre- 

 disposition or tendency to turn the consumption of food 

 towards the production of milk with a high content of solids, 

 especially butter fat as against the constitutional tendency 

 so often seen to turn food into fiesh. Even in the strongest 

 dairy breeds there are more or less frequent out-crops in 

 male and female of the flesh-making temperament. To breed 

 from such animals, while we are striving to establish a pre- 

 potent dairy temperament or tendency is not wise. All 

 cattle bred specifically for dairy purposes should possess a clear 

 and decided dairy temperament, for it is that quality of 

 character we desire most to establish, enlarge and perpetuate 

 in the Guernsey cow. 



This is especially indicated by the shape of the head, show- 

 ing brain capacity, wide muzzle, open nostril, full, bright eyes, 

 feminine neck and a construction of the backbone indicating 

 a strong flew of nerve power and support from the brain to 

 all of the maternal organs. 



CONSTITUTION. 



In breeding our domestic animals, especially for lone: 

 service like the dairy cow, it is very important that they should 

 have abundant vital power which we call "constitution." But 

 constitution must be judged and measured by the peculiar 

 function the animal is bred to fulfill. With the race horse 

 the function is speed; with the steer, the laying on of flesh; 

 with the dairy cow, the production of milk solids. In all these 

 various functions the animal that is to represent any one of 

 them must show not only large capacity in the line of that 

 function but also the ability to endure long and well the 

 strain of such function and keep in good health. Constitution 

 is best indicated by a full development at the navel and strong 

 abdominal walls, showing that the animal when in the prenatal 

 state was abundantly nourished by the mother through a 

 well developed umbilical cord. 



PREPOTENCY. 



In the scale for bulls, for the first time, we believe, in the 

 history of dairy breeds, this point is introduced. The reason 

 we have included it is that "prepotency" is the chief consider- 

 ation in the selection of all male breeding animals. The pedi- 



