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Dexter cattle, one of the world's smallest true breeds of cattle, will stampede into Fort Dodge Thursday.

The 52nd annual American Dexter Cattle Association National Show and Sale Celebration will be held at the Webster County Fairgrounds, 22770 Old Highway 169, for four days.

While the event is specifically for ADCA members, the public is welcome to attend to learn about this unique bovine breed.

"Everything is open to the public," said Dan Butterfield, director for Region 12 of the ADCA. However, nonmembers can't vote at the annual general meeting which will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning would be the best time for people to come out and learn about Dexters, he said.

Dexter cattle are small - a full-grown bull should top the scale at under 1,000 pounds and stand less than 44 inches high at the shoulder - but are still a triple threat. They are raised for both milk and meat, and Dexters can be used as draft animals, as well. Irish in origin, they came to the United States in the early 1900s. Most Dexters are black, but other colors are red and dun.

The ADCA standard accepts two varieties of Dexters, the short-legged and long-legged or Kerry type, which takes its name from the animals' ancestral Irish home. Milk and beef production are generally the same for both.

"Their easy-going temperament" is chief among the Dexter's charms, Butterfield said. The gentle, hardy cattle will "pleasantly surprise" people who have never met one.

The ADCA event is expected to draw about 300 people and 100 animals to its show. Also, 39 Dexters will be available for sale.

Among the scheduled weekend highlights are:

Keynote speaker Dr. James M. Reecy, an associate professor at Iowa State University, Ames, will talk on the basics of cattle genetic testing at 6 p.m. Thursday.

A mini-moo parade and Dexter Olympics is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in the show arena.

The ADCA National Dexter sale will be 10 a.m. Saturday.

A complete event schedule can be found at the ADCA Web site, www.dextercattle.org.

Contact Barbara Wallace Hughes at (515) 573-2141 or bwh@messengernews.net.