Breed Standards

Scale of Points for Shetland Cattle

As fixed by the Members of Council of the Shetland Herd Book Society at a meeting held on 16th February 1911

Origins

Shetland Cattle, we now know, have been present in the islands for the past 3000 years and closely resemble the rare Norwegian South and Westland breeds.

The Shetland is a relatively small breed, (average heights : cow 48", bull 52"), fine boned and well proportioned with a small head and short incurving horns.

The neck is comparably long and thin, but the back is short with wide hindquarters in keeping with the body depth.

On average a mature cow weighs 8.5cwt (433 kgs.) and a grown bull 12cwt (611 kgs.), when grass fed supplemented with hay or silage in winter.

Historically a wide variety of colours were seen but due to selective breeding for the market place, black and white predominate.

Although mostly black, and black and white, recently red, red and white, grey and white, and dun cattle are starting to reappear.

Scale of Points for Bull

1. Head
   Broad, fine; muzzle broad; nostrils open; eyes full and lively; cheeks small (6); ears small, rising slightly and well furnished with hair (2); horns fine, small, and slightly incurving with upward tendency (2)
   Total: 10
2. Neck
   Slightly arched, powerful and clean at the throat (7)
   Total: 7
3. Fore Quarters
   Shoulders sloping, withers fine (6); large lung capacity indicated by deep and broad chest (9)
   Total: 15
4. Back
   Straight from withers to setting of tail, croup and setting on not coarse (13); barrel deep and wide denoting large capacity; ribs well sprung (12)
   Total: 25
5. Hind Quarters
   Broad and strong. Hook bones wide and not overspread with fat (6); hips wide apart and well developed (6); tail thin, long with good switch (3)
   Total: 15
6. Legs
   Rather short, fine in bone, squarely placed and not to cross or sweep in walking (5)
   Total: 5
7. Skin
   Thin, fine to touch and well coated with close soft small hair (2)
   Total: 2
8. Colour
   As for cows, but one distinctly defined colour preferred (3)
   Total: 3
9. Growth
   Total: 3
10. General Appearance
    Well bred and masculine and of a class suitable for reproduction (15)
    Total: 15

PERFECTION Total: 100

Scale of Points for Cow

1. Head
   Small and nicely formed. Forehead wide, face slightly dished; muzzle fine; nostrils open; eyes full and placid; ears small, rising slightly and well furnished with hair; jaws clean (6); horns fine, small and incurving with slight upward tendency (2)
   Total: 8
2. Neck
   Straight, long and thin and lightly placed on shoulders.
   Total: 5
3. Fore Quarters
   Wedgelike in shape, shoulders sloping, withers fine (4); chest deep and broad to ensure constitution; brisket well developed (6); The fore quarters light, the cow increasing in depth and width backwards.
   Total: 10
4. Back
   Straight from the withers to setting of tail, croup and setting on fine (6); barrel deep and wide denoting large capacity, ribs well sprung (6)
   Total: 12
5. Hind Quarters
   Broad and strong, hock bones wide and not overspread with fat (4); hips wide apart and well developed (4); tail long, slender and good switch (2)
   Total: 10
6. Udder
   Capacious and fleshy, broad and well attached to body (20); milk veins about udder and abdomen well-developed (8); teats good uniform, squarely placed (10)
   Total: 38
7. Legs
   Short, fine and clean in bone, not to cross or sweep In walking (5).
   Total: 5
8. Skin
   Thin, fine to touch and well coated with close soft small hair (2).
   Total: 2
9. Colour
   Various. Prevailing colours black and dun. Also black rigged, black and white spotted, white with blue or black coloured necks, red, red and white, and combinations of these markings (2).
   Total: 2
10. Growth
    Total: 3
11. General Appearance
    Well bred and feminine (5).
    Total: 5

PERFECTION Total: 100