Dexters come in three different colours; black, red and dun. But what makes a Red Dexter red or a Dun Dexter dun? Or for that matter allows a Black Dexter to have a coloured calf? Two major genes are involved in producing these colors. Clear as mud? Well it actually is not that confusing when we break it down.
Dexter cattle occur in three different colors: black, red, and dun. Two pairs of genes that are located on separate chromosomes control these colors. Cattle chromosome 8 contains the B (brown = Dexter dun aka TYRP1) locus Cattle chromosome 18 contains the E (extension = red aka MC1R) locus Black and red is one pair of alternative colors.
In Dexter cattle, there are two different red genes. The. However, since other genes are involved with the color of the nose/eyeliner, and the darkness of the coat, there are exceptions, and you cannot be sure of the animal's red genotype without a test, (which is available at virtually any laboratory doing cattle genetic testing).
The primary colour gene in the Dexter has two principal alleles, red and black. Black is dominant to red so an animal with two black alleles or one black and one red allele will be black. Dexter bulls are known for their even temperament and ease of handling.
Dexter cows are typically excellent mothers, displaying the type of nurturing instincts that make them highly prized in seed stock operations. Dexters come in 3 colors: black, red, and dun. Solid colors, with occasional white on udders and/or behind the umbilicus, are the norm.
The dun coloration in Dexter cattle is caused by the dilution of black pigment in the hair, producing shades of dark brown to gold. This color dilution is caused by a recessive mutation. Mature cows weigh in at between 300kg and 400kg and mature bulls about 450 kg.
The Dexter is a dual purpose cow suitable for both beef and milk production. Dexter Cattle come in three colours, black, red and dun. Black is the predominant colour, red is next frequently seen, with dun being the least common.
Dexter cattle come in three solid coat colours, black, red and dun. Being a predominantly black breed, animals with red or dun coats were particularly hard to get during the early years of Dexter cattle in Australia. Dexter Colors In purebred Dexters, the color of the coat should be red (varying shades including wild-type), black, dun, or brindle which is the most rare of all Dexter colors.
As of this writing, we do not have a dun or brindle Dexter here at Mountain Heritage Farm. Perhaps you've heard of or seen "White Dexters"? merican exter attle ssociation The Facts of Dexter Color Genetics Genetic Terms: Phenotype: The characteristics of an animal that can be seen and/or measured. s how that trait will develop Allele: A version of a gene.
Alleles occur in pairs, one being inherited from.