Abstract: A system for determining characteristics and traits of an animal-type subject, such as cattle or the like, comprising: an apparatus and method for holding or confining the subject; an apparatus and method for reproducing at least one profile image of the subject and locating specific reference points on the profile image of the subject related to the characteristics and traits to be determined; an apparatus and method for linear measurement of predetermined parts or portions of the subject by use of the specific reference points on the profile image of the subject; and an apparatus and method for utilization of the linear measurements to provide correlation between the linear measurements of a particular subject and other subjects of a like kind.