Posted on February 27, 2009 - by Russell

Breed Guidelines - Sheath and Navel

In this issue of Breed Guidelines we will be taking a look at the Sheath on bulls and the Navel on bulls and cows. The sheath of a Longhorn bull should have a small orifice and a retracted prepuce. The navel should be flat and small in size. You do not want to see a long pendulous sheath with a non-retractable prepuce. This could indicate the influence of another breed of cattle. You want to avoid excessive navel flap on both males and females. A small amount of navel skin is okay but you do not want to have hanging skin running from the navel to the brisket and dewlap and/or toward the udder and testicles. 

Example of a good tight skinned sheath and navel on a Longhorn bull. This animal could even have a little more navel and still be a good example.

This is example of excessive navel with extra skin running back toward the udder.

Example of excessive sheath and navel with extra skin running back toward the testicles.

Another example of excessive sheath and navel with extra skin running back toward the testicles.

Another example of a good tight skinned sheath and navel on a Longhorn bull.