CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE CLASSIFICATION OF DOMESTIC CATTLE. 



The different kinds of domestic cattle, a.s a matter of 

 convenience, may be classified iato three distinct types, 

 according to their conformation. We may find examples 

 of each type within single breeds, or among a collection 

 of animals of no special breeding. The fact that type and 

 function are closely related, has naturally caused cattle 

 breeders to endeavor to produce animals of definite type and 

 character. Therefore, as a result of breeding, there has 

 been produced a well recognized beef type, in which meat 

 production is the important factor ; also a dairy type, with 

 milk production the essential ; and a third type, the dual 

 purpose, with both beef and milk regarded as perhaps 

 equally important. In each breed of cattle, as a rule, we 

 recognize but one type for its standard, although there are 

 striking exceptions. A good example is the case of the 

 Shorthorn breed, in which both beef and dual-purpose type 

 animals receive special recognition. The fact is that one 

 will find within any one breed examples of wide variation 

 in type, some dairy animals being meaty and some beef ani- 

 mals lean and of dairy form. So it may be said, that it is not 

 always easy to decide whether an animal should be classed 

 as of one type or another. It is simple enough for a quali- 

 fied judge to decide in which group to place good examples 

 of type ; the difficulty lies in classifying those animals that 

 are not good examples, and so belong perhaps as much in one 

 group as another. To illustrate, two judges were examin- 

 ing a cow which one regarded as a dual-purpose animal. 

 The other insisted that, from his point of view, she 

 was of the dairy type. The fact is, in a milking Short- 

 horn show, she would have passed as of dual-purpose type, 



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