SELECTING THE BREED 7I 



Among the characteristics of the Devon are attrac- 

 tive appearance, compactness, hardiness, activity, 

 intelligence, docility, and tendency to fatten. The 

 prevailing red varies from a dark rich color to pale 

 chestnut. The hair is soft, fine and often curls 

 closely on the neck, shoulder and face. As a result 

 of centuries of careful breeding the Devon has been 

 brought to a fixed type and is not subject to great 

 variations. They are of medium size, easy keepers, 

 active, hardy, thriving on meager pasture and in 

 hilly and mountainous regions. As a breed Devons 

 do not yield large quantities of milk and are not 

 persistent milkers. Certain families bred for dairy 

 purposes have made fair milk records, and some 

 herds average 4,000 pounds per year. Single ani- 

 mals have produced 50 pounds of milk in a day. 

 The milk is fairly rich in quality, ranking next to the 

 Channel Island breeds in percentage of fat, total 

 solids and high color. Comparatively little attention 

 has been given to their milking qualities, as they are 

 regarded by the majority of breeders as more par- 

 ticularly a beef producer. The beef is highly prized, 

 bringing the top price. The steers are special favor- 

 ites as working cattle. The calves are always fat 

 and lusty, showing a vigorous growth. The best 

 friends of this breed claim there are great possibili- 

 ties in developing the dairy qualities of these 

 animals. 



Dutch belted. — During the seventeenth century, 

 when the cattle interests of Holland were in the 

 most thrifty condition and breeding had become a 

 science, a breed was developed known in that 



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