OAK ISLAND

CHOOSING A BREED FOR AN OX    

As an educator concerning oxen, I am, constantly, asked what breed to choose, and use. Along with this question comes what age, size, and temperament is suitable for novices to commence with, and even the more experienced wanting to know what other breeds would be suitable for oxen. This article will elucidate some common accepted realities while exposing some mis-conceptions for those wishing to know more about breed characteristics and appropriateness when on their quest to choose an animal.  First of all, most scientists believe cattle were derived from aurochs. The last known Auroch was shot in Poland in 1627. Today’s Heck breed closely resemble aurochs. The over 800 cattle breeds, nowadays, are divided into two distinct types. Bos Indicus, or Zebu types, normally humped, comprise the majority of oxen in the world, mostly in developing countries. They have better developed sweat glands thus enabling them to tolerate hotter climes, and better tolerance to drought being very economical to feed. Over the many years, Zebus have built up a resistance to many diseases, parasites, and insects found in warmer climates. Many of them are smaller animals thus less powerful.For this article, we will concern ourselves with the more commonly powerful breeds known as Bos Taurus, or Taurine cattle, normally hump-less, encompassing most breeds found in the world, especially North America. Jean de Biencourt de Poutrincourt et de Saint-Just brought the first oxen to the northern part of North America in 1610. The oxen much resembled the Canadienne breed found today. In the southern part of North America, Ponce de Leon and Don Diego Maldonado brought cattle in the early 1500’s. Since then many breeds were introduced, especially in the mid 1800’s and early 1900’s.     The following list illustrates the general characteristics of the common breeds found in North America suitable for oxen.
AYRSHIRE – Large, dairy-type frame; sporting brown and white color patches usually with triangular white strip on forehead; well-developed, up- turned, lyre-type horns; above-average intelligence, even mischievous; resilient; can be fiery and alert; hardy; strong; good travelling speed; for experienced teamsters with patience; author’s favorite.
BROWN SWISS – Extra-large, beefy frame; light-brown color; short to medium length, solid horns; mild disposition; average intelligence; easy to use, though can be slow; great for novices wishing a big ox.
CANADIENNE – small to medium, light-boned frame; brownish-black colour; short horned; very hardy; mild mannered; hard to find good examples for mates; average intelligence; not strong; second least favorite of the author.
CHAROLAIS – Large, beefy frame; white colour (hard to keep looking clean); medium-length, slightly-downward horns; alert; strong; smart; good heat tolerance; good breed for cross-breeding.
CHIANINA – Extra-large, bony frame; white with black muzzle and tail hairs; short horns; strong; intelligent; fiery; heat tolerant; good speed; not for novices.
CORRIENTE – small and bony; commonly black, some dappled; medium horns; hardy; spirited and agile; below-average intelligence; hard to mate for a team; not for novices; third least favorite of the author.
DEVON – medium-body size, very sleek and well refined; reddish-brown color; long, shapely horns; alert, but mild mannered; resilient; above-average intelligence; loyal and dependable; second favorite of author.
DEXTER – small size; black color; small, but solid horns; easily agitated; below-average intelligence; very strong for their size; not for novices.
DURHAM – also called Shorthorns; Milking type (larger, bonier) and Beef type (smaller, beefier); medium to large body, somewhat refined; predominantly red, but some are roan (called Grey Durham) and some are white; short, solid horns; mild mannered; smart; hardy; dependable; easy to train and use; good for novices; great for cross-breeding, especially with Hereford, Jersey, or Ayrshire; easy to mate with another; author’s third favorite.
DUTCH-BELTED – small to medium, beefy body; black with wide white strip around mid torso; short horns; average speed, intelligence, and manners; striking looks.
FLORIDA CRACKER – small to medium sized, well-refined body; multi coloured, often dappled black and white, some bluish, speckled, or even solid brown to black; medium horned; smart and alert; hardy; very striking looks, though hard to match up for a team; getting rare.
GUERNSEY – large, dairy-type frame; splotchy light red and white patches; short, solid horns; average intelligence; mild mannered and easy to train and use; getting rarer to find; travel well; good for novices; great cross-breeder.
HEREFORD – medium, beef-type, refined body; light to dark brown color with white head and underbelly; medium horned, often downward; can be prone to health issues; below-average intelligence; slow; stubborn; strong; not easily riled; good for novices with patience; easy to mate up with another; very commonly used for cross-breeding.
HOLSTEIN – large to extra large, dairy-type body; splotchy black and white coloured (some red and white); short, solid horns; easy to train and use; above- average intelligence; mild mannered; dependable; hard to match for mates; great for novices wishing a big ox; great for cross-breeds.
JERSEY – small, bony body; light brown with black tinge markings; short, solid horns; above-average intelligence and mischievous; wiry and agile; strong for size; very temperamental; not for novices; great to use for cross-breeding with other larger breeds.
KERRY – small size with light bones; black colour; small horns; very hardy, though some are prone to health problems; mild mannered, but agile; getting rare; average intelligence; cold tolerant; author’s least favourite.
NORMANDE – medium-sized body, somewhat refined; spotted red and/or black among predominantly white colouration, often with colour around eyes, mouth, ears, and feet; short horns; docile; hardy; cold tolerant; average intelligence; very striking looks, though hard to mate; good for novices.
PINEYWOODS – small to medium, lanky body; red or black patchy or mottled coloured; long, usually nicely-shaped horns; average intelligence; very hardy; heat tolerant; agile, though usually mild mannered; easy foragers; shy around water; can be very striking in looks, but hard to match as a pair.
LINEBACKS – sometimes referred to as Randall or Lynch Linebacks; medium-sized body, somewhat bony; usually black (some red) with mottled white around the outer regions of the body, with a white back strip, and colour around eyes, ears, and nose; short, forward horns; docile; smart; hardy; very striking looks.
ROMAGNOLA – medium to large, beefy body much resembling Chianina; white with grayish extremities; medium horned; strong; hardy; good mannered, but lively; average intelligence; resilient; must have experience to train.
SALERS – large sized, strong-boned body; light to medium red; medium- length horns; very strong; hardy; cold tolerant; good speed; above-average intelligence, though mild mannered; dependable.
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER – medium-heavy body style; very shaggy, light- brown hair; extra long, smooth, outward horns (hard to maneuver on narrow trails in woods); average intelligence; not easily agitated; stubborn; not heat tolerant; slow gait; very hardy; good feed efficiency.
TEXAS LONGHORN – small to medium, lanky frame; patchy red and brown coloured; extra-long horns, hard to use through narrow forest trails; below-average intelligence; wiry and alert; hardy; heat tolerant; hard to match for a team; not for novices.   
 
     As you can see, generally, different breeds exhibit different traits. For someone choosing a breed for oxen, aside from color preferences, size, and horn style, one must consider their comfort level around these animals. If you prefer safe, slow animals, though may, also, tire easy and be stubborn, choose Brown Swiss, Durham, Guernsey, Hereford, Holstein, Scottish Highlanders, or Normande. If you prefer to have a faster, ground-covering animal, though a bit riskier to use if you don’t have experience, choose Ayrshire, Chianina, Charolais, or Jersey. If you prefer to have a smart animal capable of doing tricks, choose Ayrshire, Devon, Holstein, Jersey, or Salers. Same, if you live in hot or cold climates; one breed will be better suited than others. Also, if you like a well-refined body meaning sleek and rectangular built, choose Devon, Florida Cracker, Durham, or Hereford. Even though the above list indicates general temperaments, individual characteristics of a certain animal plays a role, too. While I have been run over by Ayrshires, I had other Ayrshires that were as docile as kittens. But then, I had a Hereford that was very aggressive as my ribs can attest. More often than not, breeds are mixed, or cross bred, with other breeds resulting in a more balanced personality and body, not to mention a hardier, healthier animal. One popular crossbred ox is Durham and Hereford which will be either white faced, brockle faced, or roanish ‘grey’. The white-faced ox is usually gentler, while the brockle-faced ox is more fiery, same as the grey ox. Other popular crossbreeds involve Shorthorns, Devons, Jerseys, Chianinas, and Holsteins.    As for what age of animal to start with, consider your experience level. If you have some experience and are confident, get a fully trained, trusted, mild mannered, mature team. They will teach you a lot about ox teaming. I hesitate to recommend a greenhorn train steers, unless they receive guidance from experienced sources while doing so. If one has very limited experience, starting with calves can be very rewarding, being very mindful of not letting an animal learn bad habits. Whatever your level of experience, working with oxen can be a joy for both human and beast. Author,Carmen Legge – ox and teamster educatorPhotos courtesy of author.Disclaimer – Although the author has made every effort to ensure the information herein is correct, he does not assume, and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruptions caused by following the advice, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.