Before The Advent Of Photography,

if you were looking for breeding stock, the one way other than to personally be there, was to view a painting, 

Lady Fragrant, at 7 years old by A. M. Gauci (1848–1882), but here is the thing, painters were paid by the animal's owner, and who did not want to upset their sponsor? so livestock's images were, ahem, a tad exaggerated, welcome to the squared cow!

a cow being fed by his owner. Photo by Yale Center for British Art, so artist took a little license when it came to depicting prize animals, 

this bull’s name was “Patriot.” Photo by Yale Center for British Art, and that is the thing, breeding super huge animals was at the time deemed to be patriotic, 

The Dunearn Ox c.1812–1815. Painted by Thomas Weaver (1774–1843). Photo by National Museums Scotland, National Museum of Rural Life, this animal dwarfing its owner, this bull so large it drew in crowds to marvel at its size – showed what could be done (and aspired to), and owners of prize livestock became increasingly proud of the animals they had bred, and you have no idea what sheep looked like in the day, well you have now!

Prize Sheep by William Henry Davis (1786–1865). Photo by Museum of Lincolnshire Life, not much meat on the leg! for the full article have a look here.