Official AMZA Breed Standard for Bulls

Conformation

Body parts should be in proportion relative to the size of the bull, length of leg should be in relation to length, depth and width of bull. Should not appear to be a "dwarf," nor should it appear to be excessively "leggy." Should have moderate refinement of bone, not heavy boned or thin boned. Bulls should appear strong and masculine, angular and athletic. Bulls should have good muscling, not being fat or thin.

Breed character

Refined but masculine, angular, never square or boxy. Athletic and fluid in movement. No appearance of Bos Taurus influence.

Color

All colors and patterns are acceptable.

Hair Coat

Short, straight, dense and slick, never curly or excessive in length.

Size

Measured at the hip. Height not to exceed 42" with no minimum.

Weight

Ideal weight of mature cows is 300 to 600 pounds.

Head

Coffin shaped skull, moderate of width and length, masculine in appearance. Not too wide or short. A chiseled appearance with a convex profile, never dished. Eyes should be smoothly set into the skull, not protruding or "bug eyed". Eyes should be almond shaped. Eyes and profile should be almost Egyptian in appearance. Mouth should be free of excess fleshing, clean and tight.

Ears

Moderate in length, leaf shaped with a pointed end, never round, not too long or too short, balanced in size in relation to the head, never pendulous or drooping. Ears should be held outwards or slightly upwards and not too forward. Ideal ear size is less than 9 inches long.

Horns

Balanced and symmetrical, any horn pattern is acceptable as well as naturally polled or dehorned. Dehorned bulls should be free of unsightly horn scurs.

Neck

Masculine, muscular, and moderately long, strong, set high into the shoulder and withers with an upstanding appearance, never short or low set.

Dewlap

Moderate development, not too long nor too short, free of excessive fleshiness or folds.

Brisket

Smoothly laid into the chest floor, free of excessive fat, never bulging or protruding excessively.

Hump

Large and well developed, pronounced and balanced. Upright and firm, never leaning either left nor right, placed directly above or slightly ahead of the withers. Shark fin-like in appearance.

Body

Bulls should have moderate body length, not too long or too short, deep in the heart girth with a slight increase in depth of body from the heart girth into the rear barrel and flank. Ribs should be well sprung and deep, never thin or "slab sided" with adequate body capacity, proportions relative to the size of the animal.

Topline/Back

 should be straight and level in the chine and loin with a natural slope to the rump from hip to pin bones. Rump should be sloping with a smooth, round appearance.

Hindquarter

Round and full, muscular but not meaty with moderate width in the pin bones. Moderate width in the escutcheon carrying down through the hocks.

Tail

Smoothly set and high at the rump, long and slender lacking kinks or crooks. Switch should be long and full, hanging below the hocks.

Legs and feet

Medium length legs in proportion and relative to body size, not too long nor too short, strong and straight with short, strong pasterns. Rear legs should be angular with incurving thighs when viewed from the side. Hooves should be strong and hard with equal halves and a moderate cleft between hooves.

Testicles

Well developed, balanced and symmetrical, strongly attached scrotum with four even rudimentary teats.

This document is under revision. It is September 1, 2011 DRAFT.