Breeds of Sheep

Mouflon

The mouflon (Ovis musimon) is thought to be one of the two ancestors for all modern sheep breeds. It is red-brown with a dark back-stripe, light colored saddle patch and underparts. The males are horned and the females are horned or polled. They are currently rare but are making a come back because of their horns that are wanted by hunters.

Barbado

The Barbado breed originated in Texas. One of the uses of the Barbado is as a trophy animal on game ranches due to its large curled horns. It is typically tan, tan with a pale or black belly or pied. The coat varies from short hair to coarse wool with a large amount of kemp fibers. Males show the horns for which the breed was selected and the females are polled.

Katahdin

Katahdin sheep are a breed of hair sheep developed in the United States. Katahdin are hardy, adaptable, low maintenance sheep that produce superior lamb crops and lean, meaty carcasses. They do not produce a fleece and therefore do not require shearing. Ewes have exceptional mothering ability and lamb easily; lambs are born vigorous and alert. Live weight of a mature ewe in good condition usually ranges from 120 to 160 pounds; a mature ram will weigh 180 to 250 pounds.

Dorper

The Dorper is a South African mutton breed developed in the 1930's from the Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persian.Dorset HornBlackheaded Persian One of the most fertile of sheep breeds that is hornless with good body length and a short light covering of hair and wool. The breed has the characteristic black head (Dorper) as well as white heads (White Dorper). Furthermore the breed shows exceptional adaptability, hardiness, reproduction rates and growth.

Jacobs

Both males and females are horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns. The Jacob fleece, which is properly described as white with black spots, is prized by hand spinners and weavers. The legs should be predominantly white, with black hooves and black knees and hocks desirable. Has black cheeks and muzzle, but a white blaze down the front of the face. The nose should be black as well as the horns and ears.

Suffolk

The original Suffolks were the result of crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes. SouthdownNorfolk Horned The first Suffolks were brought into this country in 1888 by Mr. G. B. Streeter of Chazy, New York. Mature weights for Suffolk rams range from 250 to 350 pounds, ewe weights vary from 180 to 250 pounds. These sheep are common in today’s show ring as market wethers being shown by FFA and 4H members.

Hampshire

The Hampshire sheep acquired its name from the agriculture county of Hampshire in Southern England where they were developed. The Hampshire is a large, open faced and active sheep with a mild disposition. Mature rams should weigh 275 pounds or more and mature ewes should weigh 200 pounds or more in breeding condition. An unbroken woolcap should extend from the neck over the forehead. They are very popular in today’s show ring for FFA and 4H exhibitors due to their muscular, level build and growth.

Southdown

The Southdown were developed in Sussex, England during the late 1700 and early 1800s'. It is a medium to small sized breed with a gray to mouse-brown face and lower legs and is polled (hornless). Southdown are an early maturing breed. Mature weights for Southdown rams range in weight from 190 to 230 pounds, ewes are slightly smaller and weigh from 130 to 180 pounds. Popular in today’s show ring for the younger or smaller exhibitors.

Corridale

Was developed in New Zealand and Australia during the late 1800s' from crossing Lincoln or Leicester rams with Merino females.Lincoln LeicesterMerino Mature rams will weigh from 175 to 275 pounds, ewe weights range from 130 to 180 pounds. Second most significant breed in the world after Merinos.

Border Leicester

founded in 1767 by George & Matthew Culley of Fenton, Northumberland, England. A long wool breed of sheep. Unique sheep with their distinguished heads and long, curly, lustrous wool. The fleece weight from mature females ranges from 8 to 12 pounds. Mature rams weigh from 225 to 325 pounds and ewe weights range from 175 to 275 pounds.

Cheviot

The Cheviot originated in the Cheviot Hills, on the border of England and Scotland. The Cheviot is a distinctive white-faced sheep, with a wool-free face and legs, pricked ears, black muzzle and black feet. It is a very alert, active sheep, with a stylish, lively carriage. The Cheviot is a long-wool type, hornless and of reasonable frame. Mature body weight for the rams is 160 to 200 pounds, with the ewes weighing slightly less at 120 to 160 pounds.

Columbia

Columbia sheep were developed by the United States Department of Agriculture as a true breeding type to replace cross breeding on the range. The mature Columbia rams weigh between 225 and 300 pounds and the females weigh 150 to 225 pounds. The wool is classified as medium wool.

Rambouillet

The Rambouillet breed originated with Spain's famed Merino flocks.Merino Mature Rambouillet rams weigh between 250 and 300 pounds, ewes range from 150 to 200 pounds. The mature ram is horned while the female is polled.

Dorset

Polled Dorsets originated at North Carolina State College, Raleigh, NC, and were apparently the result of a mutation which occurred in the purebred Horned Dorset flock at the college. Both horned and polled Dorsets are an all white sheep of medium size having good body length and muscle conformation to produce a desirable carcass. The fleece is very white, strong, close and free from dark fiber. Dorset ewes weigh from 150 to 200 pounds at maturity, some in show condition may very well exceed this weight, Dorset rams weigh from 225 to 275 pounds at maturity.

Lincoln

The present-day Lincoln is said to be the result of crossing the Leicester and the coarse native sheep of Lincolnshire. Leicester The Lincoln has never become a very popular breed in the United States. The Lincoln is usually referred to as the world's largest breed of sheep. Mature Lincoln rams should weigh from 250 to 350 pounds and mature ewes will range in weight from 200 to 250 pounds. The color markings of the Lincoln should be clear white, and the head is larger and bolder than that of the other long-wooled breeds. The breed has developed a forelock between the ears and when protected for show, this becomes quite pronounced.

Montadale

Mature Montadale rams will normals weigh between 200 and 275 pounds and females will weigh in between 150 to 200 pounds. The Montadale breed is considered a dual purpose breed noted for producing both high- quality carcasses as well excellent wool.

Oxford

The Oxford, or Oxford Down, originated in Oxford County England. The Oxford breed originated as the result of crossing Cotswolds and Hampshires.CotswoldsHampshires The Oxford is one of the largest breeds of sheep and is only surpassed in body weight by the Lincoln. Mature weights for Oxford males ranges from 200 to 300 pounds, ewes are somewhat smaller weighing between 150 and 200 pounds.

Polypay

The Polypay was born out of frustration and a dream in the the late 1960's. Led by Dr. C.V. Hulet, the scientists at the U.S. Sheep Experimentation Station in Dubois, Idaho developed five primary goals for the dream breed.

Romanov

The Romanov sheep are from the Volga Valley, northwest of Moscow. Quadruplets, quintuplets and even sextuplets are normal performance for a Romanov ewe. The North American record for a Romanov ewe is seven live, healthy lambs in a litter. The Romanov breed record is a litter of nine.

Texel

The Texel originated on the Isle of Texel off the coast of The Netherlands early in the nineteenth century. The Texel breed today is a white-faced breed with no wool on the head or legs. The breed is characterized by a distinctive short, wide face with a black nose and widely placed, short ears with a nearly horizontal carriage. The most outstanding feature of the Texel breed, however, is its remarkable muscle development and leaness.

Shropshire

The Shropshire breed of sheep originated in the counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire in central western England. Today's Shropshire is one of the better dual- purpose breeds adapted to farm conditions. The ewes are prolific and long-lived with wonderful mothering and milking abilities. Mature weights for Shropshire rams will vary from 225 to 250 pounds. Female Shropshires will range in size from 150 to 180 pounds.