Guidelines for Selecting
The Belted Galloway

 

Legs and Feet

The legs should have strong pasterns. Hooves should be shaped well, not long or cracked, without corns between the toes. Both fore and rear legs should dislay foot placement that distributes weight evenly or on all aspects of the hooves. The feet should strike the ground evenly when walking, with the front hooves directed straight forward and the rear hooves directed slightly outward. To determine length of stride, an ideal animal's back foot will land in the same track where their front foot took off: livestock judges refer to this as "covering their tracks." Leg bones should be moderately short, providing sufficient support to bear the animal's weight. Leg length should be moderately short in keeping with the traditional appearance of the breed.

Viewed from the side, hind legs should not be overly straight (post legs), or too angular (sickle hocked). Viewed from the front and rear, legs should be set far enough apart to allow sufficient heart, lung and body capacity. Viewed from the rear, hind legs should be nearly parallel from hocks to hooves, with a little set to the hind legs -- they should not be too straight. (See drawings for desired conformation.)

Other Desirable Breed Characteristics

Disposition/Behavior: Belted Galloways should be of a calm and quiet disposition. They should not exhibit panic when approached, which can be determined by ears perking, excessively alert eyes, and constant defecation. They should not exhibit aggressive behavior toward humans, even when penned.

Maternal Characteristics: Cows should calve easily without assistance. They should exhibit immediate care of the newborn calf, and neither abandon nor surrender the calf. Protection of the calf in moderation is desirable, excessive protectiveness is helpful when cattle are in the "wild" but not within confined arrangement, as it may be dangerous. Cows should rebreat 90 days after calving.

Milk Production: Cows should produce sufficient milk for rapid development of calf. Udder and teats should appear symmetrical and healthy during lactation.

Foraging Characteristics: Cattle should feed aggressively on available pasture and utilize not only grass but also appropriate non-grass species when available.

Meatiness: Cows should produce offspring with finished carcass weights of 60-62% of their live weights. Carcass weights should be Choice or better.

Hardiness: Cattle should require minimal health care throughout life, be resistant to parasites and be able to "survive" on limited nutrients. They should adapt to environments of marked heat or cold with minimal stress, weight loss, or interruption of reproduction. They should remain active and vigorous well into their teens.

For more information contact us.

Artwork in this brochure was created especially for the United States Belted Galloway Society courtesy of Ms. Jessica Kozel. Ms. Kozel is an accomplished sketch artist, painter and craftsperson who does custom and commercial artwork for animal owners (large and small) throughout the country. Contact her via email at lemkoboxer@yahoo.com or by phone at (508) 668-0268 ext. 226. Graphic design courtesy of Suzanne M. Green, Norfolk County Agricultural High School, 400 Main St., Walpole, MA 02081.

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