Antrim bull Archie is world's shortest

Published Thursday, 13 September 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Standing at just 30 inches high from hoof to withers, Archie the Co Antrim bull has been named the world's shortest by the Guinness Book of Records.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

Archie, who is owned by 15-year-old Ryan Lavery, is at least 12 inches shorter than average for his breed.

The tiny Dexter bull was bought at five months old and was originally destined for the beef market, but Ryan decided to keep him as a pet after Archie stopped growing.

"I knew Archie was small, but I never thought he was that small!" Ryan explained.

"He was originally destined for beef, whereas by Christmas time he hadn't grown much and we became so fond of him that we decided to keep him.

"It's just brilliant and amazing to have him as a Guinness World Record holder."

To put Archie's height into context, he is at least an inch smaller than the average height of the world's smallest breed of cow, the Indian Vechur.

His parents are both Dexter cows too, however his brothers and sisters are far larger than him.

But his short stature doesn't mean Archie can be bullied on the farm...

"Archie, even though he's small, thinks he's the biggest cow in the herd and he'll grunt and he'll roar at the rest of them - he doesn't know he's small," Ryan continued.

"Archie's generally okay around other farm animals, like horses and goats. However he can have temperamental little mood swings, and if he doesn't want to play ball, he will not play ball."

Ryan said Archie will spend his days as their family pet.

© UTV News
Comments Comments
3 Comments
Ryan in Belfast wrote (248 days ago):
Well done Archie, thats quite a BIG achievement ;) (please dont hurt me because of my punt)
Dee in Connecticut, USA wrote (248 days ago):
Does he have a facebook page? And, are you selling straws from him? Lots of hobby farms here in the USA might like an Archie Jr. :)
Tommy Steele in The countryside wrote (249 days ago):
I've never read so much bull in all my days. (or should that be so little bull?)
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
UVF centenary parade
Sat 20 April 2013
BGT auditions - Week 2
Sat 20 April 2013