Standards of Excellence of Aberdeen-Angus Cattle in 2023
Bulls
Colour:
Black. White is objectionable, except on the underline behind the navel, and there is only to a moderate extent.
Head:
Forehead broad, face slightly prominent, and tapered towards the nose; muzzle broad; nostrils wide and open; eye to bottom of jaw, strong, eye mild, full, and expressive; ear of good medium size, well set and covered with hair; poll well defined and without any appearance of horns or scurs; naturally polled.
Throat:
Clean, without any development of loose flesh underneath.
Neck:
Of medium length, muscular, with moderate crest (increasing with age); spreading out to meet the shoulders with full neck vein.
Shoulders:
Well laid in, covered on the blades and on the top, should be on a line with the back and moderately broad.
Chest:
Wide and deep.
Brisket:
Standing well out between the legs, moderately well covered with flesh and fat.
Ribs:
Well sprung from the backbone, arched deep, neatly joined to the hips and loins.
Back:
Broad and straight from shoulders to hips; loins strong; hip bones moderate in width, not prominent and well covered; rump long, full, level and rounded neatly into the hindquarters.
Hindquarters:
Deep and full; thighs thick and muscular, in proportion with hindquarters; twist full.
Tail:
Fine, coming neatly out of the body on a line with the back and hanging at right angles to it.
Underline:
As straight as possible; flank full and soft. Sheath, tight, close against body.
Testicle Size:
Minimum 34cm.
Legs:
Front, moderate length straight and squarely placed; hind legs slightly inclined forward below the hocks; forearm muscular; bones fine and clean.
Feet:
Large hoof with good heel, small dew claws, toes to be straight.
Flesh:
Even well covered without dimples.
Skin:
Moderate thickness, mellow touch abundantly covered with thick, soft fine quality hair.
General Appearance:
Well-bred, structurally sound and masculine.
Females
Colour:
Black. White is objectionable, except on the underline behind the navel, and there is only to a moderate extent.
Head:
Forehead moderately broad and slightly indented tapering towards the nose; muzzle broad; nostrils wide and open; eyes to bottom of jaw, strong; eye mild, full bright and expressive; ears large, slightly rising upward and well furnished with hair; poll well defined, and without any appearance of horns or scurs; naturally polled.
Throat:
Clean, without any development of loose flesh underneath.
Neck:
Of medium length, spreading out to meet the shoulders with full neck vein.
Shoulders:
Well laid in, covered on the blades and on the top, should be on a line with the back and moderately broad.
Chest:
Wide and deep.
Brisket:
Standing well out between the legs, moderately well covered with flesh and fat.
Ribs:
Well sprung from the backbone, arched deep, neatly joined to the hips and loins.
Back:
Broad and straight from shoulders to hips; loins strong; hip bones moderate in width, not prominent and well covered; rump long, full, level and rounded neatly into the hindquarters.
Hindquarters:
Deep and full; thighs thick and feminine, in proportion with hindquarters; twist full.
Tail:
Fine, coming neatly out of the body on a line with the back and hanging at right angles to it.
Udder:
Not fleshy, coming well forward in line with the body and well up; teats squarely placed, not too long or too short.
Underline:
As straight as possible; flank full and soft.
Legs:
Front, moderate length straight and squarely placed; hind legs slightly inclined forward below the hocks; forearm muscular; bones fine and clean.
Feet:
Large hoof with good heel, small dew claws, toes to be straight.
Flesh:
Even well covered without dimples.
Skin:
Moderate thickness, mellow touch abundantly covered with thick, soft fine quality hair.
General Appearance:
Well-bred structurally sound and feminine.