Animal Science: Quality Traits, Breeds, and Terminology

Criteria for Evaluation: Animals are evaluated based on phenotypic traits, including color patterns, frame size (heavy vs. light boned), degree of muscling (overall and specific sections like the hindquarter), and environmental adaptations (e.g., extra skin for heat tolerance).
Beef Cattle Breeds:
- Angus: Black, polled (naturally hornless), originated in Scotland; known for high carcass quality.
- Hereford: Red with a white face, originated in England; noted for being docile and efficient foragers.
- Charolais: White to light straw color, large-framed, originated in France.
- Brahman: Light gray to black or red, originated in India; characterized by a hump, loose dewlap, and high insect/disease tolerance.
- Simmental: No set color pattern, large frame, and rapid growth rate.
- Other Breeds: Shorthorn, Santa Gertrudis, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Texas Longhorn, Polled Hereford, Beefmaster, and Chianina.
Dairy Cattle Breeds:
- Holstein: Accounts for $90\%$ of US dairy cattle; black and white; leading milk producer at approximately $18,000\,lbs$ ( $3600\,gallons$ ) per year.
- Jersey: Cream to light fawn color, smallest frame, known for high butterfat content.
- Other Breeds: Guernsey, Ayrshire, and Brown Swiss.

Swine Breeds:
- American Landrace: White, long-bodied, large drooping ears, originated in Denmark; known for mothering ability.
- Duroc: Red with drooped ears; excellent growth rate and feed conversion.
- Hampshire: Black with a white belt, erect ears; known for carcass leanness.
- Yorkshire: White with erect ears; noted for large litters and mothering ability.
- Berkshire: Black with white points (legs, snout, switch), erect ears; originated in England.
- Other Breeds: Poland China, Chester White, Tamworth, and Spotted Swine.
Sheep Classifications:
- Meat: Suffolk, Hampshire, Dorper, and Katahdin.
- Wool: Rambouillet, Merino, and Lincoln.
- Dual Purpose: Dorset, Southdown, and Columbia.
Goat Classifications:
- Dairy: Nubian, Alpine, and Nigerian Dwarf.
- Meat: Boer, Kiko, and Spanish.

Poultry Identification:
- Egg Producers (Layers): White egg producers include White Leghorns (white plumage). Brown egg producers include Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshires, and Plymouth Rocks.
- Meat Producers (Broilers): Often commercial crosses, such as White Plymouth Rock females mated to Cornish males.
- Turkeys: Broad Breasted White (valued for white pin feathers), Broad Breasted Bronze (largest, poor fertility), and Beltsville Small Whites (developed by the USDA).
Dog Groups (AKC): Sporting (e.g., Retrievers), Hounds (e.g., Beagle), Working (e.g., Great Dane), Terriers (e.g., Airedale), Toy (e.g., Pug), Herding (e.g., Collie), and Non-sporting (e.g., Dalmatian).
Cat Breeds: American Shorthair (tabby pattern), Maine Coon (large native breed), Persian (requires daily grooming), Ragdoll (large, docile), and Siamese (sensitive to vaccines).
Rabbit Breeds: Giant Angora (wool), Californian (white with black points), Dutch (belted pattern), English Spot (pea-sized markings), Netherland Dwarf, and Mini-Rex (plush fur).

Terminology by Species (Cattle / Swine / Poultry / Sheep / Goat):
- Uncastrated Male: Bull / Boar / Rooster / Ram / Buck.
- Castrated Male: Steer / Barrow / Capon / Wether / Wether.
- Immature Female: Heifer / Gilt / Pullet / Ewe Lamb / Doeling.
- Mature Female: Cow / Sow / Hen / Ewe / Doe.
- Newborn: Calf / Piglet / Chick / Lamb / Kid.
Key External Parts:
- Cattle/Swine: Loin (backbone muscle), Rump (between loin and tail), Brisket (front chest), Hock (rear leg joint), Ham (rear leg of swine), Jowl (chin).
- Poultry: Comb (top of head), Wattles (below beak), Vent (external opening), Shank (leg).
- Companion Animals: Dewlap (skin fold), Stifle (joint above hock), Muzzle (jaw area), Brille (snake eye covering), Scutes (turtle scales).