All about the Dexter Society

Breed Standard

Our Breed Standard aims to encourage improvement in the quality of Dexter Cattle herds; and the preservation of the natural characteristics and traits in the cattle. Read the Breed Standard here.

Registrations, Transfers and Culls

We have clear rules around the documentation of cattle registrations, transfers and culls to ensure the verifiability and quality of New Zealand’s Dexter herd. You can read them here.

Society Governance

The Dexter Cattle Society NZ Inc is governed by constitution and regulations, designed to help maintain and develop the breed, We also have objectives and a mission statement to guide us. You can read our governance documents here.

Herd Registry

All herd registry records can be searched here.

Use our herd registry to view:

  • full details for each animal in the database
  • pedigree charts for each animal in the database
  • progeny reports where any calves have been born to a cow or sired by a bull
  • photographs of certain animals
  • pedigree charts for hypothetical matings
  • owners of cattle in the database (this search is available only for society members)

The history of the Dexter Cattle Society in New Zealand

Dexters were imported into New Zealand in 1904, but the breed was maintained for only a few years.  Then, seventy-five years later, in 1979, Dexter semen was brought into the country.

But it wasn’t until July 1993, that the first provincial committee meeting of NZ Dexter breeders was held, and that group then joined Dexter Cattle Australia.

In 1994, the NZ Dexter Breeders’ Association formed, and our first President Alec Meades wrote an article entitled Dexters beginning to grow in NZ.

Following that, a second group formed — the Dexter Cattle Society of NZ.

In the best interests of the breed the two groups amalgamated in 2000, adopting the name ‘Dexter Cattle Society of NZ’ (DCSNZ).

The Society became incorporated in 2001, giving us the organisation (DCSNZ Inc) we know today which runs this website.​

Here’s another article from 2016 which explains more about the ancient origins of Dexter cattle.

In 2016, the society had around 1600 Dexter cattle registered. Today, in 2024, that figure is around 800.