Posted on February 10, 2009 - by Russell

Breed Guidelines - Muzzles

In this installment of the Breed Guidelines we will be looking at the muzzle of Texas Longhorns. A desirable trait that you should look for around the mouth is what they call ”mealy mouth” which is a difference in the coloring around the nose and mouth. This helps with heat exchange of the animal and it’s surroundings. There should also be “pigmentation” around the eyes which helps keep them from being sunburned which would make them susceptible to getting cancer eye. It also helps fight against insects which spread diseases like pink eye. The lack of these traits would be consider objectionable. When we look at undesirable muzzle traits those would be a wry nose, overshot, undershot or crocked jaw. Photos left to right: Photo 1) Example of muzzle with mealy mouth and good pigment on nose and around the eyes. Photo 2) Example of good muzzle with the mealy mouth trait and good pigmentation around the eyes. Notice the light color of the hair around the eyes, like the mealy mouth. This was a summer photo and that lighter color helps with the heat. Also this photo shows the pigmentation of the skin around the eye.  Photo 3) Example of a wry or crocked nose and muzzle. Photo 4)Another example of mealy mouth, eye and nose pigmentation.You should be able to see some from of this pigmentation even on white or light colored cattle. Photo 5) Shows an animal with a lack of pigmentation around the eyes and on nose. Photo 6) This animal shows a lack pigmentation and is showing the effects of that with the irritation of the eyes which resulting in thewatering of the eyes. The watering of the eyes attracts insects to the eyes which can result in several health problems.