[landroverroy]

Brimwood - I'm not actually saying that all Dexters are difficult to handle - just warning you that they are less reliably loveable than most other native breeds.
But as a smallholder I personally think there is a lot to be said for following your heart. So if you've always wanted a Dexter, then I'd say get one.  You're only here once, so at least try one and make your own mind up. I would suggest maybe getting a young heifer that's halter trained and at least you'd have an idea about how quiet she is. I must admit there is a certain charm about small cattle, and even when they're arguing with you they're still a lot easier to handle than a big continental. You could always have your little Dexter and keep a more commercial breed as well which you could cross her with to get a marketable calf.
 In spite of what I said about Dexters, I still have one left that I put to our Hereford bull each year. She produces a good sized calf that always fetches a decent price in the fatstock market.
 

[BrimwoodFarm]

Ahh, hell, don't say that [member=6533]landroverroy[/member] - I don't need more encouragement! 

It's still a loooooong way off but that means lots of time to go to shows, talk to breeders and get up close with some animals. I do like Red Polls too. I'd never considered them before, but saw some at the Suffolk Show this year and thought they looked pretty charming, and way smaller than many other breeds.

It's hard when you're starting out and have ZERO experience. But, man, it's FUN!

[landroverroy]

Well you definitely seem to be going about things the right way Brimwood.
 Like they say - "Time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted."

[Sbom]

We had dexters and all except one were quiet and easy to manage. They were tb tested in a shed with no restraint, lived out all year with no concentrates and our old girl produced a calf every year with no assistance. Her last lactation she also reared two calves that weren't hers and we milked her for the house to.
We've just sent our last calf to the butchers and the old girl died last year. We are planning to replace her soon.
Plus the meat is delicious 

Chose the breed you like the most, after all your the one that has to look at it daily!

[BrimwoodFarm]

[member=25947]Sbom[/member] That's really good to hear; both about their nature and the fact you managed to milk her for the house too.

[Marches Farmer]

They have a reputation for being noisy ....?

[BrimwoodFarm]

Which [member=27063]Marches Farmer[/member] ....Dexters or Red Poll? Or both?!

[oor wullie]

Humane Cattle Handling by Temple Grandin is a great book for understanding cattle behavior and how to handle them.

[BrimwoodFarm]

That's great. Thanks [member=25668]oor wullie[/member] , I'll look it up Another book to add to the bedside stack!

[Rosemary]

Humane Cattle Handling by Temple Grandin is a great book for understanding cattle behavior and how to handle them.

On my Christmas list 

[BrimwoodFarm]

I went to Amazon but couldn't fine a specific cattle one. There is, however, a livestock variant - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1603420282/

[landroverroy]

They have a reputation for being noisy ....?

 Presume you mean Dexters?
 I can agree with that. But it's not unsurmountable unless you have them just near your back door in which case they do have a tendency to sound off every time they see you. The worse thing you can do if this happens is to feed them to keep them quiet, because you are actually rewarding them for making a row and they get worse.

[oor wullie]

I went to Amazon but couldn't fine a specific cattle one. There is, however, a livestock variant - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1603420282/

Ah yes, sorry I got the title wrong, that's the one.

It also talks about sheep and pigs hence the title is 'livestock' rather than 'cattle'.

[BrimwoodFarm]

Sounds good to me [member=25668]oor wullie[/member] , especially as I intend to keep those too.