Afrino During the late 1960's, a request was made to the Department of Agriculture by the wool industry, via the South African Agricultural Union, to develop a white-wooled breed for extensive sheep grazing areas. In 1976, it was evident that the crossing of 25 percent Merino, 25 percent Ronderib Afrikaner, and 50 percent South African Mutton Merino best fulfilled the requirements set for the new breed. It was decided to retain only this cross for further upgrading and development of the breed known today as the Afrino. Eighty percent of the income from Afrino sheep is generated through meat production and 20 percent through wool production. The Afrino produces Merino-type wool, with a fiber diameter ranging from 19 to 22 microns. Breed category: fine wool, dual purpose Distribution: South Africa Australia Afrino Sheep Breeders Association of South Africa Altay The Altay originated in the regions of China typified by dry, cold mountain basins. They belong to the Kazakh group of sheep which are found in the desert and mountainous areas in west Xinjiang. Altay belong to the fat-rump, carpet wool type. They gradually formed the fat tail (or rump) as a biological characteristic. The tail (or rump) weighs about 15 pounds (7 kg). Due to the sharp seasonal contrast in forage availability in these pastoral areas, the sheep tend to deposit a large amount of fat in the body in order to meet nutritional demands during the winter and spring. In addition, the herdsmen working under these climatic conditions need fat as the main source of energy supply and so have selected sheep with high fat deposits. Breed category: fat-rump, carpet wool, meat Distribution: China American Australian White The American Australian White is the American version of the Australian White, a shedding breed known for it outstanding eating qualities.. The Australian White was introduced to the US in 2018. To be eligible for registration in the American Australian White Sheep Breeders Association, Australian White sheep must be descendants from embryos imported from Australia, until F6 (sixth genera/on). Breed categories: hair (meat) Distribution: United States American Australian White Sheep Breeders Association American Blackbelly The American Blackbelly is a composite breed resulting from the crossing of Barbados Blackbelly on the Mouflon and Rambouillet breeds. As the name implies, the underbelly of the American Blackbelly is black, as is the inside of the legs, the back part of the thighs, and the hair inside the ears. Two black facial barbs extend down the muzzle medial to the eye, giving the breed an exotic appearance. Through selective breeding, the American Blackbelly has retained the coloration of its Barbados Blackbelly parent stock, but can be easily distinguished by the presence of horns on the rams. It is harder to identify which breed a ewe represents because American Blackbelly females may be polled, scurred, or horned, with the majority being polled. Because this sheep is popular with the trophy hunting markets, "trophy racks" are heavily selected for in American Blackbelly breeding stock. The American Blackbelly is a hair sheep, although in some areas of the U.S., American Blackbelly may develop a winter undercoat of fine wool fiber that is shed in the spring. The American Blackbelly is known for its vitality, thrift, easy lambing, and lean carcass. [text provided by Carol Elkins] Breed category: hair Distribution: North America International Barbados Blackbelly Association  Apennine The Apennine breed was founded in the 1970's in central Italy, mainly in the Toscana, Emilia, Umbria, Arche, and Abruzzi regions of Italy; crossbreeding the local breed with other Italian or exotic breeds such as Bergamasca and Ile-de-France. It is a medium wool breed kept primarily for meat production. It is polled and has semi-lopped ears. The breed is reared in small or medium size flocks that usually are not the only economic source of the farm. There are an estimated 250,000 head, spread out over central and southern Italy. Breed category: meat, medium wool Distribution: Italy Aragonesa The Rasa Aragonesa sheep is the second most important Spanish breed after the Merino breed. Spanish sheep breeds of medium quality wool are considered to have originated from the crossbreeding of fine-wool strains (Merino) and those with coarse wool (Churra and Lacha), though this viewpoint is overly simplistic. The Rasa Aragonesa breed, which owes its name to the region where it is of most importance, as well as to the length of its wool ("rasa" = threadbare), is raised mainly for its meat. Among the outstanding qualities of the Rasa Aragonesa are its high degree of ruggedness, gregarious instinct, pasturing ability, and adaptability to the harsh environment in which it is raised. Breed category: dual-purpose, medium wool Distribution: Spain, Europe Arapawa The most probable origin for the Arapawa (Island) feral sheep is that they are escapees of a flock of mainly Merino origin, known to have been introduced in 1867, the original stock having undoubtedly come from Australia. It is possible that they were introduced earlier by whalers who were the first European occupants of the Island. They are considered a rare and endangered breed. Arapawas are rather prehistoric-looking wild sheep. They are not large sheep, being rather lean and light-boned. Their bulky fleece is of Merino-like fineness with a natural tendency to be shed, as occurs in most wild sheep. There are still some Arapawa sheep on the island and several thousand are now found in flocks throughout New Zealand. Breed category: rare, feral Distribution: New Zealand Assaf The Assaf sheep is the result of crossbreeding the Awassi and East Friesian Milk sheep. In 1955, researchers of the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization (A.R.O) started this project aiming to improve the fecundity of the Awassi sheep. A combination of 3/8 East Friesian and 5/8 Awassi blood emerged as the best cross. Most dairy sheep breeders in Israel have adopted the Assaf, which is considered not only a top quality dairy sheep and excellent mutton producer, but is also well-adapted to semi-extensive to extensive production systems. Under Israeli conditions, in which ewes have approximately 3 lambings in 2 years, the annual milk yield is 450 liters. The demand for Assaf sheep is increasing every year. They have been exported to Spain, Portugal, Chile and Peru. Breed categories: dual-purpose (dairy and meat) Distribution: worldwide Australian Merino More than 80 percent of all Australian sheep are pure Merino, with most of the remainder at least part Merino blood. Merino is grown primarily for its heavy fleeces of fine wool. Although the Australian Merino derives its name and basic appearance from the Spanish breed, it is a distinct breed in its own right, developed and adapted in Australia to the specific conditions of this country. Merino sheep were brought to Australia from the Cape Colony, England, Saxony (South East Germany), France, and America. The Australian Merino is not a single homogenous breed but a number of strains of sheep all of which, regardless of their origins, are uniquely Australian. The major factor determining the Merino’s development has been the requirement for environmental suitability. Merino Strains The four basic strains of Australian Merino are Peppin, Saxon, South Australian, and Spanish. The Peppin Merino is suited to the harsher conditions of inland Australia. Its heavy fleece falls in the mid-range of Merino wool qualities. As many as 70 percent of today's Australian Merinos are said to be directly descended from the Peppin-developed sheep. The South Australian Merino is suited to semi-arid conditions of 250 mm (10 in.) of rain or less and is found in South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. The wool from these sheep is at the strongest (i.e. thickest in fiber diameter) end of the range of Merino wool types. The Saxon Merino is without peer in the quality of wool produced. It is best suited to cool to warm conditions with 500 mm (20 in.) or more of rainfall and is found in the highlands of Tasmania, the cooler areas of Victoria, and the tablelands of New South Wales. Though relatively few in number, there is a distinct strain of the Australian Merino that is directly descended from Merino sheep of "Spanish" blood imported into the colony. Other Types of Merinos in Australia The development of the Australian Poll Merino is relatively new. Polled rams have been selected and mated to Merino ewes and selection continued for the quality of polledness. The result is a pure Merino without horns. The Fonthill Merino was developed in the 1950's by crossing American-bred Rambouillet-Merino rams with a fine-wool Saxon strain of Merino. The second most populous breed of sheep in Australia is the ewe progeny from Border Leicester rams mated to Merino ewes: the "Border/Merino." Breed categories: fine wool Distribution: worldwide Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders New Zealand Stud Merino Breeders' Society Australian White The Australian White is an Australian breed of hair (meat) sheep. It was the result from of selective breeding with White Dorper, Van Rooy, Poll Dorset and Texel, with the goal of creating a large white sheep suited to Australian conditions, with a self-shedding hair coat. Since the breeds development, it has been discovered that its meat has unique eating qualities that have been compared to Wagyu beef. Its fat has a lower melting point which contributes to eating satisfaction. Breed categories: hair (meat) Distribution: Australia, Asia, United States Australian White USA Australian White Sheep Breeders Association Awassi The Awassi evolved as a nomadic sheep breed through centuries of natural and selective breeding to become the highest milk producing breed in the Middle East. The breed is of the Near Eastern fat-tailed type. The average Awassi ewe has single lactations over 300 liters (650 pounds) per 210-day lactation, and it is not uncommon for outstanding females to have 210 day lactations above 750 liters (1,625 lbs.). As a comparison, the lactation of the average US sheep breed is about 100 to 200 pounds per lactation. The breed also has the advantage of natural hardiness and grazing ability. The males are horned and the females are usually polled. The fleece is mostly carpet type with a varying degree of hair. Breed categories: dairy, fat-tailed, carpet wool Distribution: worldwide Avranchin The Avranchin is a grassland breed, hardy and well adapted to the ocean climate, usually living outdoors in small flocks. It is one of the most prolific French breeds. With a large or medium-sized frame, it produces lambs of good butchering quality, with very fine textured meat. The selection of the Avranchin sheep breed tends towards the maintenance of high prolificacy (the optimum sought is the ewe which regularly produces twins at each lambing), and the improvement of the milk value of the dams. Rams for breeding are chosen according to their conformation and the prolificacy and milk value indexes of their dam. Breed categories: meat Distribution: Europe

Babydoll SouthdownThe Olde English Babydoll Southdown is a miniature variety of the Southdown breed. The Southdown breed of sheep originated in the Southdown hills of Sussex County, England. It is one of the oldest purebred sheep breeds in the world. Southdowns were imported to the United States in the early 1800's. The 1960's saw increased importation of the larger New Zealand Southdown to upscale the American Southdown.Around 1990, small flocks of the original smaller Southdowns were rediscovered and labeled Olde English Babydoll Miniature Sheep to differentiate them from the larger modern breed. This miniature sheep is only 19 to 23 inches tall. Babydolls usually have off white wool with cinnamon or gray faces and legs. Currently people raise these docile sheep for their wool, as pets, and grass trimmers perfect for today's smaller acreage farms.Breed categories: medium wool, noveltyBreed category: noveltyDistribution: United Kingdom, North AmericaOlde English “Babydoll” Southdown Sheep RegistryNorth American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association and RegistryBabydoll Sheep RegistryBadger Face Welsh MountainThe Welsh Mountain Badger Face is a color variation (a recessive trait) of the Welsh Mountain. It is an ancient Welsh breed, which was once common in the Welsh Mountains. Numbers of the breed fell during the Middle Ages when the cloth trade demanded a white wool. Numbers are now on the increase. The main type is known by Torddu which means blackbelly, but there is also a rarer Torwen which is the reverse coloration, black with a white belly.The Torddu variation have a distinctive broad striped face with a black band from jaw to belly and extending to the underside of the tail. The main fleece varies from pure white to light tan. Rams have dark spiral horns and the ewes are polled. The Badger is a good breed for crossing, especially on ewe lambs.Breed categories: long wool, dual-purposeDistribution: United KingdomBadger Face Welsh Mountain Sheep SocietyBalwen Welsh MountainThe Welsh Mountain Sheep can be termed as an umbrella description to describe many of the breeds indigenous to Wales. Through breeding and selection over the centuries, the Welsh Mountain has developed into many distinct breeds; the Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep being one of these. Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep originate from one small area of Wales: the Tywi Valley. The name Balwen is welsh for white blaze.The Balwen sheep has a base color of black, brown, or dark grey. It has a white blaze on the face, four distinct white feet, and a half to two-thirds white tail. All males must have horns. Horns are not allowed on females. The Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep is a small, very hardy breed. They are easy to manage, having very few health problems associated with many of the larger breeds. It is thought farmers over the years used the Balwen as landmarks on the hills as a means of recognizing one's flock.Breed categories: rareDistribution: United KingdomBalwen Sheep SocietyBarbados BlackbellyThe Barbados Blackbelly is an indigenous breed to the Caribbean island of Barbados. It descends from sheep brought to the islands from West Africa during the slave era. Blackbellies are "antelope like" in appearance, brown tan or yellow in color, with black points and under-parts. Both ewes and rams are polled or have only small scurs or diminutive horns.They may have some visible fuzzy wool undercoat within their hair coat, but it should shed along with the hair each year. Barbados Blackbellies are noted for their extreme hardiness and reproductive efficiency. They are one of the most prolific sheep breeds in the world.Read the history and preservation of the Barbados Blackbelly breedBreed category: hair (meat)Breed distribution: Caribbean, Mexico, South America, North AmericaInternational Barbados Blackbelly Sheep AssociationBarkiThe Barki, which goes by several other names, is well-adapted to live under desert conditions. The breed is known for a long breeding season (300 days) and good mothering abilities; however, milk production of ewes is low. The breed is considered the main contributor to the livestock population in the Mediterranean area. They are multi-colored, usually white with brown or black head and legs. They produce coarse wool and have a small fat tail. They are the smallest Egyptian breed.Breed category: long wool, fat-tailedDistribution: Middle East Bavarian Forest  WaldschafThe Bavarian Forest, the successor of the Bavarian Zaupel, is decreasing in popularity and appears in the Bavarian herd book only since 1987. Nevertheless it is an old and once wide-spread breed in its native region. It is a small to medium sheep, mostly white, though brown and black animals do occur.The fleece contains a mixture of fibers: kemp, hetero type, and wool fibers. Forest sheep are aseasonal. They usually lamb 3 times in 2 years. Their fertility amounts to about 180 percent. They are a hardy, weather and disease-resistant breed. They have good mothering ability.Breed category: rare, landrace, double-coatedDistribution: EuropeBelclareThe Belclare is a composite breed developed by researchers (at Teagasc) in Ireland during the 1960s and 1980s. It is highly prolific breed with excellent maternal qualities and fast growing, fleshy lambs. It is a medium size sheep with a white face and dense fleece. It is considered to be a premier maternal sire. The original Belclare had considerable Finnish Landrace blood. In latter years, the Texel was infused. Breed categories: meat, medium woolDistribution: IrelandBelclare Sheep SocietyBelgian Milk Sheep Belgisch Melk schappThe Belgian Milk Sheep is strongly influenced by Friesian Milk Sheep. In all probability, the Belgian Milk Sheep descends from Flemish sheep. Since the 19th century, Flemish sheep were selected for milk character. After the Second World War, the other milk sheep breeds were added.The Belgian Milk Sheep is a finely-built sheep which stands on high legs. The body is wedge-shaped. The head is covered with fine white hair. The abdomen is wooly, but slightly hairy. A typical characteristic of Belgian Milk Sheep is the so-called "rat-tail." The fertility of the breed is high. The udder is well-developed and the animals give much milk with a creamy taste.Breed categories: dairy, rat-tailDistribution: EuropeBeltexBeltex sheep were first introduced to Britain from Belgium in 1989. They originate from hybrid sheep bred in Belgium. The breed's main characteristics are double-muscled hindquarters, coupled with fine bones which ensures maximum killing-out percentage of the finished lamb.The Beltex is primarily a terminal sire to cross with British sheep and half-bred continental sheep. Beltex-sired lambs are born with ease and are thrifty. Conformation is the breed's main attribute in producing prime lamb. Finished lambs yield a high killing-out percentage and a carcass with well-fleshed legs, good eye muscle, and a long loin.Breed categories: meat, medium woolDistribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North AmericaBeltex Sheep SocietyBergamasca The Bergamasca originated in the North of Italy, possibly from Sudanese sheep. They are a multi-purpose animal, raised for meat, milk, and wool. They are prolific and produce and average of 250 kg of milk with 6 percent fat over a 6 month lactation period. The Bergamasca is a basic breed of the Lop-eared Alpine group and is polled. They are the foundation of the other Lop-eared Alpine breeds of Fabrianese, Pavullese, Perugian Lowland, and Zakynthos.Breed categories: multi-purpose (meat, milk, and wool), coarse woolDistribution: Europe, South AmericaBeulah Speckled FaceSpeckled-face sheep have been bred on the hills of Eppynt, Llanafan, Abergwesyn and Llanwrtyd Wells for over 100 years, without introduction of female stock. On the hill, the ewes are normally purebred, providing flock replacements, finished lambs for the meat trade, or store lambs for finishing on lowland farms.The Beulah ewe is also idea for crossing with most continental rams, as well as Suffolk and Down rams to produce high quality carcasses. Rams have found great demand in many mountain flocks to improve size and wool quality. The breed gives a fleece of very clean soft handling wool. Ewes are hornless, as are the majority of rams. The face is free from wool and distinctly speckled.Breed categories: dual-purpose, medium wool, hillDistribution: United Kingdom, EuropeBeulah Speckled Face Sheep SocietyBerrichon du CherThe Berrichon du Cher was established in the Berry region of France. The original breed was crossed with a Merino in the mid-1780's. Further improvements were made in the 1800's with the introduction of the Dishely Leicester. The Berrichon due Cher is a polled, white-faced sheep with a medium fleece of high quality. Their body is compact, well-muscled, and medium to large in status. They are used primarily as a terminal sire.Breed categories: meat, medium woolDistribution: Europe, United KingdomBritish Berrichon Sheep SocietyBlack HawaiianThere is some controversy on how the Black Hawaiian breed was started. Some say it is a cross of Mouflon and black hair sheep from the Hawaiian islands. Others say they are Barbados with a dilution of the red color gene making them black. They have a thick black coat and are usually black all over, although some sport a white muzzle.Like the other species of sheep of this type, the horns grow up, back, down, forward, up again, and then tip out. The horns of the Black Hawaiian are jet black. Males can weigh up to 140 to 150 pounds while females usually weigh about half that much. They are raise primarily for trophy hunting.Breed categories: hair, exoticDistribution: United StatesUnited Horned Hair Sheep AssociationBlackface Mountain SheepBlackface Mountain Sheep are a hardy upland breed that has been bred to withstand the cold, wind, and rain in the mountainous areas of Ireland and the UK. They are a strain of Scottish Blackface. They are smaller and hardier than lowland sheep breeds. They have black or black and white faces and legs. Both sexes are horned. They produce a long coarse fleece. The breed is believed to have descended from the wild horned Argali sheep that inhabited central Asia in ancient times. The principal function of the breed is to utilize the hill and mountain grazing to its best advantage.Breed categories: heritageDistribution: Ireland, United KingdomIrish Native Rare Breed SocietyBlackheaded PersianThe Blackheaded Persian originated in the arid regions of east Africa in what is now Somalia. It is one of the fat-rump breeds and both sexes are polled. Blackheaded Persians have a white body and black head and neck with the two colors sharply distinguished.The breed found its way to the tropics of the Caribbean region via South Africa many years ago. The Caribbean population has adapted well to the humid tropics. The Blackheaded Persian is one of the breeds that was used to develop the Dorper.Breed categories: hair, fat-rumpDistribution: Africa, Caribbean, South AmericaBlack Welsh MountainIn the Middle Ages, the mutton of black-fleeced Welsh Mountain Sheep was prized for its richness and excellence and much sought-after by merchants. During the mid-19th century, some breeders began to select specifically for the black fleece color and the result is the Black Welsh Mountain sheep.The Black Welsh Mountain is a small, black sheep with no wool on the face or on the legs below the knee and hock. It is the only completely black breed of sheep found in the United Kingdom. Introduced into the US in 1972, the fleece from the Black Welsh Mountain has generated special interest among hand spinners and weavers.Breed categories: primitive, medium woolDistribution: United Kingdom, North AmericaAmerican Black Welsh Mountain Sheep AssociationBlack Welsh Mountain Sheep Breeders' AssociationBlue due MaineThe Blue du Maine originated in Western France in the region of Mayenne. The breed was developed from crossing Leicester Longwool and Wensleydale which were imported during a period from 1855 to 1880 with the now extinct Choletais breed. The Blue du Maine is a large breed. The breed has no wool on its head or legs. The face is dark gray or blue color. Both sexes are polled.In comparing the Blue du Maine with the Texel breed, they show a higher litter size and age of sexual maturity. Their average daily gain, carcass leanness, milk yield, and lambing interval are similar to the Texel, but the Blue du Maine are lighter muscled.Breed categories: meat, medium woolDistribution: Europe, United KingdomBleu du Maine Sheep SocietyBleu du Maine (Netherlands) Bluefaced LeicesterThe Bluefaced Leicester evolved near Hexham in the county of Northumberland, England during the early 1900's. They are descendants of Robert Bakewell’s improved Dishley Leicester. The breed originated from Border Leicester individuals selected for the blue face (white hairs on black skin) and finer fleeces. It was was developed as a sire of high quality crossbred ewes.The crossbred progeny of the Bluefaced Leicester is the Mule, the ewe famous throughout the UK as the best commercial breeding ewe on the market. Bluefaced Leicesters were imported to Canada in the 1970s where they eventually made their way to the United States. Frozen semen from the United Kingdom is being used to expand the genetic base of the breed in the U.S. and Canada.Breed categories: long wool, dual-purposeDistribution: Worldwide Bluefaced Leicester Union of North AmericaBluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders AssociationBlue TexelThe Blue Texel is a color variant of the normal white Texel sheep. The Blue Texel came from white Texels who carry the color factor "blue" with them. This factor is a recessive factor. From a mating of two white Texels who both carry the factor for the blue color, there is a 25 percent chance blue lambs will be born while a mating between a Blue Texel and another Blue Texel always gives blue lambs. Texel sheep evolved as a result of crossbreeding the Dutch polder sheep with several English breeds, such as Leicester, Wensleydale, and Lincoln at the beginning of the 20th century.Today, as a result of efficient selection, the Texel breed has developed into a meat-type sheep of outstanding lean meat quality that has become popular throughout the world as a sire of crossbred slaughter lambs. When Texel lambs with a different color were originally born, most breeders were very ashamed of this. It was not until the late 70s that some breeders started with the breeding of this rare colored sheep: the Blue Texel.Breed categories: meat, medium woolDistribution: Netherlands, EuropeBlue Texel Sheep SocietyBondBonds evolved in Australia in 1909 as a dual-purpose breed, using Peppin Merinos and imported Lincoln rams. Bonds are tall, long-bodied sheep, heavy in the bone and with open faces and a robust constitution. They produce bulky, long-stapled, bright 22-28 micron wool. Lambs are long, lean, and fast growing. Bond rams weigh up to 150 kg (330 lbs.). Bond sheep are mainly found in the south east portion of Australia. They have the ability to produce economic results in a wide range of climatic conditions of rainfall from 350 to 1140 mm (14 to 45 inches).Breed categories: dual-purposeDistribution: AustraliaBooroola MerinoThe Booroola Merino was developed on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It differs from the normal Merino in two ways. First, its fertility is as high as any breed in the world. The number of lambs born per ewe lambing is 2.4, with a range of 1 to 6. Half-Booroola ewes on average wean 20 percent more lambs than comparable Merinos under the same conditions. Secondly, Booroolas have the ability to breed at most times of the year, thus extending the breeding season.The high prolificacy of the Booroola Merino is due to the action of a single gene. Booroola actually refers to a gene called the B gene (also called F for fecundity). The B gene can be transferred into any breed sheep and does not appear to be influenced by nutrition.Breed categories: fine wool, prolificDistribution: worldwideBorder CheviotThe Border Cheviot originated as a mountain breed, native to the Cheviot Hills between Scotland and England, where the climate is harsh and the conditions are rugged. Cheviots are extremely hardy and can withstand harsh winters and graze well over hilly pastures. They were bred to look after themselves. Recognized as early as 1372, the breed is reported to have developed from sheep that swam ashore from shipwrecked Spanish ships that fled northward after the defeat of the Armada.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. Cheviot wool has a distinctive helical crimp, which gives it that highly desirable resilience. Breed category: meat, hillDistribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Australia, New ZealandAmerican Cheviot Sheep SocietyCheviot Sheep SocietyBorderdaleThe Borderdale was developed in New Zealand. It is the result of breeding the Border Leicester and Corriedale breeds and interbreeding each generation until the F5 stage. Borderdales are a medium-large, hardy, long-woolled breed, with a comparatively low susceptibility to foot rot. They have a good growth rate. Ewes are often used for crossbreeding with terminal sires from the meat breeds. Borderdales are found mainly on the plains, lowlands, and foothills of Canterbury (New Zealand). Breed category: long wool, dual-purposeDistribution: New ZealandBorder LeicesterOne of three distinct breeds of Leicester sheep, the Border Leicester was founded in 1767 by George & Matthew Culley of Fenton, Northumberland, England. They were friends of Robert Bakewell and had access to his improved Leicesters. Some feel that the Culley brothers developed the Border Leicester by crossing Bakewell's improved Leicester rams with Teeswater ewes. Others argue that Cheviot blood was introduced.In any case, the breed was firmly established in England by 1850 and Border Leicesters have now surpassed the old English Leicester in popularity in the British Isles and in other countries. Border Leicesters are moderately prolific, good milkers, and mothers. They have been used throughout the world to sire crossbred females. They yield a long-stapled, lustrous, coarse wool that is much in demand by hand spinners.Breed category: long wool, dual-purposeDistribution: WorldwideAmerican Border Leicester AssociationSociety of Border Leicester Sheep BreedersBorerayThe Boreray originated on the island of Boreray which is in the St. Kilda group. The breed was developed during the late 19th century from Scottish Blackface and a Hebridean type of Old Scottish Shortwool. The breed has been largely feral since 1930. The Boreray is a small breed with no wool on face or lower legs. The extremities are black or tan colored.The fleece is white to light tan, but occasionally an individual animal will be darker. Both sexes are horned. The ram's horns are large and spiraled. Adult ewes weigh about 28 kg (62 lbs.) and stand 55 cm (22 inches) at the withers. Breed category: primitive, rareDistribution: United KingdomSoay and Boreray Sheep SocietyBrecknock Hill CheviotThe Brecknock Hill Cheviot was developed from the Scottish Cheviot that was introduced to Wales in the 1850's. Purebred Brecknock sheep come in all colors except spotted. They tend to be naturally small like their ancestors. However, their nature is much more gentle than the other Cheviot sheep.In Wales, Brecknock Hill Cheviots are not part of the three Cheviot sizes . They are a Welsh hill breed of sheep. In the hills, they are kept in pure flocks for breeding replacements. Brecknock Hill Cheviot have small erect ears with white faces and legs. They do have not wool on the face or below the knees or hock. Ewes and usually rams are polled. They breed is recognized for its longevity.Breed categories: medium wool, hillDistribution: United KingdomBrecknock Hill Cheviot SocietyBrillenschaf Kärtner Brillenschaf, Spectacles Sheep, CarinthianThe Brillenschaf from Carinthia is one of the endangered livestock breeds in Austria. Since 1938, it has almost completely died out. It is named for the eyeglass marks around its eyes, under the eyes, and on its ears. It is a cross between the old Landschaf breed with the Bergamasca and Paduaner Schaf. It is a member of the Alpine Mountain Sheep Breeds. The hardy, frugal Brillenschaf can cope with high precipitation and is expert in climbing, therefore it is used for grazing high alpine areas which are inaccessible to cows. Breed category: meat, coarse woolDistribution: EuropeBritish MilksheepBritish Milk Sheep are a composite breed whose exact make-up is in conflict. Breeds that comprise the composite include the East Friesian, Bluefaced Leicester, Polled Dorset, Lleyn, and perhaps other breeds. The breed was established and released in 1980. Animals of this breed are medium to large in size, polled, with white, woolless, face and legs.British Milksheep are the most prolific breed in the United Kingdom with yearling litter size averaging 2.21, 2-year-olds at 2.63 and 3.07 in mature ewes. A milk yield of 650-900 liters (173 to 238 gal) has been reported during a 300-day lactation. The milk solids is also particularly high. British Milksheep produce a large, lean carcass. Breed category: dairyDistribution: United Kingdom, North AmericaBritish Milksheep SocietyBrown Headed Meat Sheep Braunköpfiges FleischschafThe Braunköpfiges Fleischschaf is one of the four predominant sheep breeds in Switzerland. It is the heaviest breed. It was developed by crossing Oxfords from England and German Blackheaded Mutton sheep onto landrace sheep. The breed is seasonal, lambing once per year, usually in the winter, averaging 1.7 lambs.Breed category: meat, medium woolDistribution: EuropeBrown Mountain Braunes BergschafThe home of this breed is the alpine regions of Bavaria (Germany), Tyrol (Austria), Southern Tyrol (Italy), and the Swiss Canton of Engadine. In recent years, the Brown Mountain Sheep has gained popularity beyond its original borders. The Brown Mountain Sheep descended from the Tyrolean Steinschaf (Stone Sheep), which can be of all colors, one color per sheep, and is rarely white.The Braunes Bergschaf is a medium-sized sheep with a slender, hornless head, and a Roman nose profile. Its ears are long, broad, and hanging. It has strong legs with hard hoofs. It is extremely hardy and shows no fear of heights. Non- seasonal breeding is possible three times in two years, and twins are the norm. Breed category: long woolDistribution: Europe

California Red The California Red was developed in 1970. It is a cross between Barbados and Tunis sheep. Considered medium-sized sheep, mature rams weigh 225 to 250 pounds and ewes range from 130 to 150 pounds. Both sexes are naturally hornless. Lambs are born a solid rust or cinnamon red color, a color that is retained as they mature. At maturity, the fleeces turn a beige or oatmeal color. The legs and faces are free of wool with long pendulous ears which emphasize the animal's appearance. The wool is silky in texture and has found a specialty market with hand spinners and weavers. Year-round breeding is another characteristic of the breed. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: United States California Red Sheep Registry, Inc Cambridge The Cambridge is a dark faced, medium sized sheep with an average quality white fleece. It was founded in 1964 at Cambridge University. The female foundation stock consisted of very prolific ewes selected within native breeds. Most ewes were from the Clun Forest breed, but the Lleyn, Llanwenog and Kerry Hill breeds also contributed significantly, and the Radnor, Ryeland, Border Leicester, and Suffolk to a lesser extent. These ewes were crossed with Finn rams and the resultant F1 males were backcrossed with the foundation stock to reduce the Finn contribution to 20 percent. The particular value of the Cambridge is for crossing with other breeds and crossbreeds to produce a superior half-bred ewe. The breed has a very high prolificacy, most of which can be attributed to the presence of a single gene which has a major effect on ovulation. Breed categories: medium wool, meat, prolific Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Cambridge Sheep Society Cameroon The Cameroon sheep is a hair sheep from West Africa. Instead of wool, they carry a hair coat that in the autumn forms an additional undercoat, which is shed after winter. Cameroon sheep do not require shearing. Cameroon sheep are very prolific and reach puberty very early. They are aseasonal and can produce two lamb crops per year. They are a resistant, problem-free sheep. Their most common color is brown with a black belly, head, and legs. Picture link Breed categories: hair, landrace Distribution: Europe Castlemilk Morrit During the early years of the 20th century, the late Sir Jock Buchanan-Jardine began a breeding program on his Castlemilk Estate in Dumfriesshire. Using Manx Loghtan, moorit Shetland, and wild Mouflon, he developed a breed to beautify his parkland and provide fine, kemp-free moorit colored wool. On the death of Sir John Buchanan-Jardine the flock was dispersed in 1970, and six ewes and a ram were bought by Joe Henson at the Cotswold Farm Park. All of today’s Castlemilk Moorits are descended from these few sheep. The Castlemilk Moorit is one of the larger primitive-type breeds, with mature ewes weighing in the region of 40 kgs (85 lbs.) and rams 55 kgs (120 lbs.) The ewes exhibit two uniform and wide spreading horns which are much heavier and evenly spiraled in the rams. Light brown or moorit in color, they have definite mouflon pattern markings to include white underparts around the eyes, lower jaw, belly, knees and inside lower leg and tail together with a rump patch. Breed categories: primitive, rare Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Castlemilk Morrit Sheep Society Charmoise Hill The Charmoise sheep originated in the hills of France and has been used in the production of continental terminal breeds such as the Charollais and the Rouge. The Charmoise is a genuine hill breed, the first to be imported to Britain from the Continent. The breed was formed in France in the late 18th century by the introduction of Kent rams from England, which were crossed on the indigenous hill and mountain breeds to give them a better shape. The exceptional confirmation of the breed is the principal reason for the success of the Charmoise ram in commercial crossbreeding schemes for the production of quality prime stock lamb. It is found in the rougher hill areas of France today where it is bred pure to produce a high quality small lamb. In France it is the only top confirmation breed to be classified as "race rustique" (hardy breed). Breed categories: medium wool, meat, hill Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Charmoise Hill Sheep Society Charollais Charollais sheep are from the same region of France as Charolais cattle. They originated in the early 1800's from a cross of the British Dishley Leicester with local landrace breeds. The Charollais breed is a medium sized, heavy sheep, with a long loin and well muscled hindquarters. Their clean head is pinkish grey. Their wool is fine to medium and dense. They are used primarily as a terminal sire to increase the muscling and growth rate of lambs. They are the second most popular terminal sire breed in the United Kingdom. Carcasses from Charollais lambs are lean and heavily muscled, especially in the loin and hindquarters. Dressing percentage is above average. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North America Charollais Sheep Society Chios Like many breeds, the exact origin of the Chios is unknown. Some sources suggest it is the result of crossbreeding between local sheep of the island of Chios (Greece) and breeds from Anatolia (Turkey). The Chios is typically white with black, occasionally brown, spots around the eyes, and on the ears, nose, belly and legs. The entire head is often black. Female conformation is typically dairy. The breed is classified as semi-fat-tailed. Milk production for the breed varies from 265 to 660 pounds (120-300 kg) of milk per lactation depending on management and husbandry conditions. The highest production recorded is 1,317 pounds (597.4 kg) during a 272 day lactation. Breed categories: dairy, semi-fat-tailed Distribution: Greece, Mediterranean Churra The Churra sheep is an native breed raised in Castile and León in northwestern Spain. It is a milk production breed of great hardiness, well suited to the continental climate of Castile and León, with long, severe winters, very short springs, and hot dry summers. Zamorano cheese is a classic Spanish sheep’s milk cheese. It is made with full cream milk, coming mainly from the Churra sheep. Navajo Churro sheep descend from the Spanish Churra. Breed categories: dairy, carpet wool Distribution: Spain, Europe Clun Forest The Clun Forest originated in the mountainous district of South West Shropshire in England, adjoining the Welsh Border, and are the most numerous sheep of the Marshes of Wales. They take their name from the ancient market town of Clun. Some authors attribute the breed to a combination of Hill Radnor and Shropshire, with Kerry Hill breeding also introduced in about 1865. Cluns are considered a hardy, moderately prolific, easy care breed of medium size. They are a relatively new breed in the United States, first imported in 1959. Clun Forests are dark-faced with no wool on the head and legs. They produce a medium wool fleece and are known for their longevity. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America North American Clun Forest Association Clun Forest Sheep Breeders Society  De Clun Forest Schapenvereniging Coburg Coburger Fuchsschaf, Colberg Fox Sheep In the 19th century this landrace sheep populated the European hilly ranges abundantly. These red fox-colored sheep could be found under names that indicated their color or living area, such as Golden Fox, Eisfelder Fox Sheep, Eifeler Sheep, Ardenais Solognotes, or Rousse Tetes. In the beginning of the 20th century, 60 percent of the sheep in the German Coburg area were of this landrace with the red fox-colored heads, but by World War II they were nearly extinct. It took Otto Stritzel, a breeder and weaver from Bavaria to publicize the favorable characteristics of the Fuchsschaf, which laid the foundation for its continued existence. The Coburger Fuchsschaf is frugal, hardy, and prolific. Longevity and non-fussiness of food make it a perfect choice for keeping on rough hilly ranges. It is possible to breed them three times in two years. The specialty of the Coburger Fuchsschaf is its long wool. Lambs are born with a dark red-brown fleece that lightens at age 6-12 months Breed categories: rare, long wool Distribution: Europe Columbia The Columbia is the first breed to originate in the United States. Columbias were developed in 1912 from Lincoln and Rambouillet crosses. The object of the cross was to create a breed that produced more pounds of wool and lamb and could replace crossbreeding on the range. Though originally bred for range conditions, the Columbia has found widespread acceptance throughout the United States and is used increasingly to sire crossbred market lambs. Columbias are one of the larger-sized breeds. Rams weigh between 225 and 300 lbs. (100 to 135 kg) and females weigh between 150 and 225 lbs. (68 to 102 kg). Columbia sheep produce a heavy, medium-wool fleece with good staple length and hardy, fast-growing lambs. Breed categories: medium wool, dual purpose Distribution: North America Columbia Sheep Breeders' Association of America Comisana Lentinese, Red Head, Testa rossa, Faccia rossa The Comisana is one of the most important breeds of Mediterranean sheep. The breed is valued for its high milk yield, processed on site to produce a variety of home-made high quality cheeses, following a tradition lasting thousands of years. The average production of Comisana ewes is 200 liters per lactation. In well managed flocks, many individuals are producing in excess of 2 liters of milk per day, indicative of the breed's high potential. The Comisana sheep originated in the Southeast region of Sicily from where it spread throughout Italy, mainly to Toscana, Lazio, Abruzzo, Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria regions. The breed is well suited for the entire spectrum of production systems, from extensive to intensive. The total population is about 700,000 sheep, of which 54 percent are found in Sicily. Breed categories: dairy, coarse wool Distribution: Italy, Mediterranean Coopworth The Coopworth is a medium sized, dual-purpose, white faced sheep with an alert but quiet disposition. It is one of the most dominant breeds in New Zealand. It originated in New Zealand in the 1960's from Border Leicester and Romney crosses, and was first imported into the United States during the late 1970's. It is a highly productive sheep, intensively selected for easy care lambing, prolificacy, and good mothering ability. Coopworth wool is relatively coarse and long and is popular with hand spinners. Breed categories: long wool, dual-purpose Distribution: New Zealand, Australia, North America, Europe American Coopworth Registry Cormo Cormo is a system of breeding in which selection is based on scientific measurement of commercially desirable characteristics. Selection criteria include clean fleece weight, fiber diameter, growth or body weight, and fertility. Originating in Tasmania, Australia, the Cormo derives its name from its two parent breeds: Corriedale and Superfine Saxon Merino. Cormo sheep were first introduced into the United States in 1976. They are not being promoted as a show sheep, but rather as one of economic value. Cormos sheep produce a long stapled, high yielding fine-wool fleece with a high degree of fiber uniformity. They cross well with American breeds. Bred category: fine wool Distribution: Australia, New Zealand, North America American Cormo Sheep Association The Cormo Sheep Conservation Sheep Registry, Inc Corriedale The Corriedale is the oldest of all the crossbred wool breeds, a Merino-Lincoln cross developed in Australia and New Zealand and first brought to the United States in 1914. Corriedales are a dual-purpose sheep with good meat and wool. Their dense fleece is medium-fine and high yielding, with good length and softness, somewhat between medium wool and long wool. It is favored by hand spinners. Corriedale lambs produce good quality carcasses and have a high pelt value. Breed categories: medium wool, dual-purpose Distribution: Worldwide American Corriedale Association, Inc. Australian Corriedale Association Cotentin The Cotentin originates from the western French region of Manche (Lower-Normandy), on Cotentin Peninsula. It is of Flemish origin, with influences from the Dishley, Southdown, and Leicester. The breed was commonly found on horse farms. Today, the Cotentin is found in three main regions of Lower-Normandy: Calvados, Orne, and Manche. It is used as a meat breed. Its phenotype was fixed in 1900. A flock book was created in 1925. The Cotentin is a large, sheep characterized by pink skin, a depressed head and, large eyes. Both sexes are polled. The status of the breed is threatened. It is estimated that there are only about 2000. Breed categories: meat, rare Distribution: France Cotswold The Cotswold is an ancient breed of sheep descended from sheep that grazed the Cotswold Hills at the time of Caesar's conquest of Britain. In the Middle Ages, Cotswold wool was a major export of England, contributing greatly to the wealth of the country as a whole and particularly to the Cotswold region, where the wool churches and large houses remain as evidence of its importance at that time. Cotswolds are a large breed, noted for their long, coarse fleece of naturally wavy curls and the tuft of wool on their foreheads. The earliest record of Cotswolds in the United States is 1832. The Cotswold is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed category: long wool, rare Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America Cotswold Breeders Association The Cotswold Sheep Society

Dalesbred The Dalesbred is found in Upper Wharfdale and Central Pennines in England. The breed originated from the Swaledale and Scottish Blackface breeds. The breed shows a black face with a distinct white mark above and on each side of the muzzle. The legs are similarly colored. They have have no wool on either the face or legs. Both sexes have a round, low set of horns. Dalesbred wool is of typical carpet quality. The fleece is curly on the outside with a dense undercoat. Dalesbred sheep are very adaptable to climatic changes and can survive in the harsh environmental conditions. Dalesbred ewes are often crossed with Teeswater rams to produce the Masham which is one of the most famous of British crossbreeds. Breed category: carpet wool, heritage Distribution: United Kingdom Dalesbred Sheep Breeders Society Damara The Damara originated from the Hamites of Eastern Asia and Egypt and moved down to the present day Namibia and Angola. For many years, the sheep were in an isolated region of Namibia and thus remained free of influence from other breeds. Damara sheep can survive in a harsh environment and under poor nutritional conditions. Research has indicated that up to 64 percent of the diet of the Damara sheep can consist of browsing material. This places the Damara in the same feeding category as goats. Hair is mostly short with a tendency to a fine layer of woolliness developing under the hair during winter. The sheep has a wide range of colors which are all equally acceptable and desirable. With the exception of the tail and the rear rump, there is no visible localized fat. Breed categories: hair (meat), fat-tailed Distribution: Worldwide Damara Sheep Breeders Society of South Africa Debouillet The Debouillet was developed in New Mexico in 1920 from Delaine Merino x Rambouillet crosses. The breed is best adapted to the range conditions of the southwestern United States. The Debouillet is a medium-sized sheep with white hair on the face and legs. They are hardy and gregarious and adaptable to unassisted pasture lambing. They produce a fine wool fleece with a deep, close crimp. Breed category: fine wool, rare Distribution: United States Delaine Merino American and Delaine Merino Several strains of Merinos evolved in the United States. The type "A" Merino was developed in Vermont through selection and inbreeding. This Merino carries a very heavy, wrinkly hide. In form, the type A is angular and has little carcass value. It is not advocated for commercial lamb and wool production. The "B" type Merino was developed principally in Ohio, a result of breeders selecting for a heavy fleece on a sheep that has a fair mutton form. Its body is fairly free of wrinkles, but it carries heavy neck folds and frequently wrinkles or heavy folds behind the shoulders and on the thighs and rear flanks. The type B is larger and better adapted to everyday conditions than the type A. The type "C" or Delaine Merino is the most practical Merino and is especially adapted to range sheep production in the western and southwestern parts of the U.S. The Delaine Merino is of medium size. Mature ewes with full fleece average from 125 to 180 pounds. Rams are larger ranging in weight from 175 to 235 pounds. The Delaine has a smooth body and is free of wrinkles. In the U.S., over 95 percent of Merinos are smooth or nearly smooth. Breed categories: fine wool Distribution: North America American Delaine & Merino Record Association  Derbyshire Gritstone One of the oldest British sheep breeds, the Derbyshire Gritstone was originally bred by the farmers of the Peak District to survive in a harsh environment and to thrive on the poor quality grazing found on the moors. They are concentrated today around Derbyshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire, but Gritstone rams have been used widely on Welsh sheep to increase their size. Gritstones are big, strong sheep with a good weatherproof fleece, the finest of all the fleeces found in the hill breeds. Both sexes are polled (hornless). The face and legs are black and white. Breed categories: medium wool, meat, hill Distribution: United Kingdom Derbyshire Gritstone Sheepbreeders Society  Devon Closewool The Devon Closewool is a medium sized, white faced, hornless sheep with a dense white fleece of medium length and staple which contributes to its valued quality of hardiness. The wool of the Devon Closewool is ideally suited to the home spinner and also modern manufacturing processes. It should contain no black fiber, and therefore commands a premium price. The wool is close and fine with a wool count of 48-53. The fleece enables the Closewool to withstand wind and rain. The breed is primarily a grassland sheep and is very hardy. A well established breed the Devon Closewool's original home was Exmoor but it is now spread throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and parts of Wales. Breed categories: dual-purpose, long wool Distribution: United Kingdom Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders' Society Devon and Cornwall Longwool The Devon Longwooled is a mutton and long-wool producing breed found in northern Devon in England. The breed is similar to the South Devon but smaller. Both sexes are polled. They were developed from Leicester Longwool crossed with Southam Nott and Bampton Nott. Their wool is very strong and is used mainly in the manufacture of rugs and carpets. Breed categories: long wool, rare Distribution: United Kingdom Devon and Cornwall Longwool Flock Book Association Dohne Merino Dohne, El Dohne Merino The Dohne Merino is a synthetic, dual-purpose Merino developed by the South African Department of Agriculture using Peppin-style Merino ewes and German Mutton Merino sires. The progeny were interbred and selected for high fertility, rapid lamb growth rate, and fine Merino wool under commercial rangeland conditions. The breeding program was initiated in 1939 and the Breed Society was formed in 1966. Selection since 1970 has been done with the aid of performance and progeny testing and comprehensive production records. All recorded animals are maintained in a computerized flock recording scheme. The Dohne Merino is one of the leading woolled breeds in South Africa. Breed categories: dual-purpose, fine wool Distribution: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand Dohne Merino Sheep Breeders Society of South Africa Australian Dohne Breeders Dormer The Dormer is a cross between Dorset Horn rams and German Merino ewes (presently known as the South African Mutton Merino). It was a direct consequence of a series of extensive slaughter lamb experiments carried out at the Elsenburg Research Station of the Department of Agriculture since 1927 over a period of more than ten years. The name Dormers is an abbreviation of the linkage Dorset-Merino. The main object with the development of the Dormer was to breed a mutton breed which could adapt to conditions in the winter rainfall area of South Africa (cold and wet) and from which suitable rams could be produced for cross breeding purposes. The Dormer is well known for its high fertility, excellent mothering abilities, long breeding season and easy lambing. Breed category: meat Distribution: South Africa Dormer Sheep Breeders Society of South Africa Dorper White and Blackheaded The Dorper breed is numerically the second largest breed in South Africa. Their popularity has spread to many countries throughout the world, including the United States in 1995. The Dorper was developed in South Africa in the 1930's, through crossing of the Blackheaded Persian ewe (a native fat-tailed sheep) with the Dorset Horn (a mutton breed). The breed has a characteristic black head (Dorper) or can be all white (White Dorper). Dorpers are a well-proportioned breed with heavy muscled hindquarters. Their skin covering is a mixture of hair and wool and it will drop off without being sheared. The Dorper has a thick skin which is highly prized and protects the sheep under harsh climatic conditions. It is the most sought after sheepskin in the world. Breed categories: shedding Distribution: Worldwide American Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society Dorper Sheep Society of Australia, Inc. Dorper Breeders Society of South Africa Dorset Dorsets are best known for their ability to produce a lamb crop any time during the year. History tells us that centuries ago when Spain wished to conquer England, Merino sheep were brought into southwest England and crossed with the Horned Sheep of Wales. The result was a desirable, all-purpose sheep that spread over Dorset, Somerset, Devon and most of Wales. The first Horned Dorsets were brought to the United States in 1885. In 1948, a dominant gene for polledness occurred resulting in Polled Dorsets which are now popular in the farm flock states. Dorset ewes are prolific, heavy milkers that produce lambs with moderate growth and maturity that yield heavy muscled carcasses. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Worldwide Continental Dorset Club Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders' Association Australian Poll Dorset Association Dorset Down The Dorset Down originated in England around 1800 by mating Southdown rams with the large Hampshire Down, Berkshire and Wiltshire ewes. The Dorset Down is a solid, medium sized, dark-faced, polled sheep. It has a short, close white fleece with wool round the cheeks, between the ears, on the forehead, and down the legs. The wool is generally of high quality. The breed produces early maturing lambs and as such is an ideal terminal sire. Ewes will take a ram in most months of the year, making the breed ideal for the Christmas or early spring lamb market when prices are at a seasonal high. Carcass conformation is good with fine bone and shoulder, being well fleshed with delicately flavored tender meat. Breed categories: medium wool, meat, terminal sire, rare Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Australia Dorset Down Sheep Breeders Association Drysdale The Drysdale is a dual-purpose breed whose wool is used mainly for carpet manufacture. Drysdale sheep carry the dominant Nd gene, a mutant which occurred in the Romney breed. The Nd gene causes a high abundance of coarse, very hairy fibers, called halo-hairs. The wool of the Drysdale is without crimp, highly medullated, with a fiber diameter of 40 microns. It is known for its whiteness and dyeing versatility. The Drysdale is found in most environments throughout New Zealand. They are sheared twice a year. Breed categories: carpet wool, dual-purpose, rare Distribution: New Zealand, Australia Dutch Spotted The Dutch Spotted sheep is native to the Netherlands. The first record of it is in the 1880s. The breed is believed to have originated from the hardy sheep that were used to graze peat bogs in medieval times. In the 1950s, farmers crossed the sheep with the Texel and Zwarbles to get better qualities. No crossing has been done for the past 20 years. The Dutch Spotted is a compact muscular breed, with short, curly, connected wool and a preferred color ratio of 80:20 black to white, but with black knees. Breed categories: meat Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North America Dutch Spotted Sheep Society US Dutch Spotted Sheep Society UK

East Friesian Friesian Milk Sheep, Ostfriesisches Milchschaf The origin of the Friesian sheep breeds is the region of Friesland extending along the North Sea coast westward from the Weser River in the northeast of Germany along the north coast of the Netherlands and south to the Schelde (Scheldt) River at the border of the Netherlands and Belgium. The German East Friesian Milk Sheep is the best known and most important of the Friesian breeds and is the breed known in the scientific literature as the "East Friesian." The East Friesian is considered to be the world's highest producing dairy sheep. They are highly specialized animals and do poorly under extensive and large flock husbandry conditions. Friesian sheep cross well with local adapted breeds. Breed categories: dairy, short-tailed Distribution: Worldwide Dairy Sheep Association of North America North American Dairy Sheep Association Easy Care The guiding principle behind Easy Care is straightforward. Centuries ago, sheep didn't naturally have huge fleeces, merely a winter coat which was shed in springtime, as with most wild animals. However, man began to breed sheep for wool because of its value. In recent times, the value of wool has fallen so dramatically that its production is uneconomic. Meat production without the overhead and extra shepherding required in wool production would be much more profitable. By using highly selective breeding to combine the rapid growth rate, lambing quality, and other strengths of his naturally wool-less pedigree Wiltshire Horn flock with the smaller, hardy Welsh Mountain and combining some of the strengths of other breeds, Iolo Owen has achieved his aim: a breed of sheep with all the qualities sought after by the modern farmer with fewer of the drawbacks. As well as being woolless, Easy Care are extremely hardy, thrive on grass and inexpensive feeds, have a superb lambing ratio (180 percent is the average), and produce excellent meat. Breed category: hair (meat) Distribution: United Kingdom Easy Care Sheep UK Est à Laine Merino East Merino At the end of the 18th century, Merino blood was introduced into German sheep in the borders with France, and gradually these large "meat" Merinos were kept in large numbers in the Alsace Lorraine region of France. This strain became known as the Est à Laine, which translated means East and Wool. The Est à Laine Merino is an attractive, strong, large-framed sheep with very fine white wool. The head is long, white in color, with long, drooping ears. The sheep is naturally polled (no horns), unlike the original Merinos. The neck of the Est à Laine Merino has no folds or dewlap, making it easier to shear. Breed category: fine wool, dual-purpose Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North America Exlana Exlana are a composite maternal breed developed in Southwest England around 2005, in response to the low value of wool. They are derived from 14 different breeds from around the world. The breed is completely white in color and is more similar to a hair sheep than a typical UK breeds. Their winter coat rarely exceeds 2 cm in length and 1 kg in weight. They do not require shearing. EXLANA is Latin for "used to have wool" Breed categories: hair (meat) Distribution: United Kingdom Exlana Sheep Exmoor Horn Though ancient in origin, the Exmoor Horn, which has existed since time immemorial in the west of England, is well adapted to modern requirements. The Exmoor can be described as a dual purpose breed to keep pure on the higher moorland; in fact, they are classified as a hill breed. The Exmoor Horn is an excellent crossing ewe. The Bluefaced Leicester cross produces the Exmoor Mule which is docile and prolific in lowland areas. The Exmoor is white faced, with horns, cherry colored skin, and a white fleece of medium length and good quality. Breed categories: hill, dual purpose Distribution: United Kingdom Exmoor Horn Sheep Breeders' Society Faeroes Færøerne, Foroyskur Seydur The origins of the Faeroes breed goes back to the Old Norwegian, Icelandic, and perhaps Shetland breeds. They are not gregarious and tend to be territorial. The Faeroes will forage in small groups, spreading to cover the entire area, behaving somewhat like the Icelandic sheep. These sheep are small and well adapted to mountainous terrain. The color varies from white, grey, light red, dark red, chestnut brown, to black. However, due to the low price of wool, they are sheared primarily for the comfort of the sheep. The lambs reach a slaughter weight of 20 to 45 pounds at 5 months of age. A good ewe will weigh about 45 pounds at 6 to 7 years of age. Rams weigh from 45 to 90 pounds. Bone structure is light, but strong. These animals are seasonal breeders, with singles being most common. Breed categories: short-tailed, primitive Distribution: Denmark Finnsheep Suomenlammas, Finnish Landrace Finnsheep or Finnish Landrace, as they are known in their native country of Finland are considered to be several hundred years old, descending from the Mouflon that live in the wild on Sardinia and Corsica and also said to be related to other Scandinavian short-tailed sheep. First imported to the United States in 1968, the primary use of Finnsheep was the production of crossbred ewes. Finn ewes are hardy, will lamb on an accelerated lambing program, have strong maternal instincts, and are highly prolific. Lambs are noted for their high livability. In the last 20 or so years, more research work and data has been compiled in the United States involving Finnsheep and their crosses than any other breed of sheep. In more recent years, Finnsheep have become valued for their soft fleeces of medium wool. Breed categories: medium wool, dual-purpose, short-tailed, prolific Distribution: worldwide American Finnsheep Breeders Association Australian Finnsheep Breeders Association Florida Cracker The Florida Cracker is a heritage breed that developed naturally over the last 500 years. They are uniquely adapted to the harsh Florida environment. They are listed as critically endangered with The Livestock Conservancy. They were formerly called Florida Native sheep. Their name was changed to Florida Cracker sheep to better reflect their heritage and to differentiate them from other breeds using the name “native”. Read Florida Cracker Sheep: A Forgotten Part of Florida's History Breed categories: Distribution: United States Florida Cracker Sheep Association

GalwayThe Galway is Ireland's only native sheep breed. The breed began in the late 1700s when English longwool sheep were imported into Ireland. The imported sheep were crossed with native sheep, giving rise to a large whiteface polled sheep initially known as the Roscommon. These sheep dwindled in numbers due to famine and land shifts. Historically, the dense, crimped wool of Galway sheep was favored by local knitters to craft traditional, iconic Aran sweaters. In modern times, the population of the breed fell significantly after the 1970s, but there have been efforts to conserve the breed.Breed categories: heritage, rare, dual purposeDistribution: IrelandGalway Sheep Breeders AssociationIrish Native Rare Breed SocietyGansu Alpine Finewool The Gansu Alpine Finewool was one of a number of fine wool breeds in China which made use of Xinjiang Finewool, along with Russian Merino rams in its development. The Gansu Alpine Finewool was initially based on Mongolian and Tibetan ewes and was developed through backcrossing to Merino type, followed by selection.The breed was developed in the Huangchen District of Gansu Province, China, which has an altitude of 2,600 to 4,000 m (8,530 to 13,123 ft.), an annual mean temperature of 0 to 3.8°C (32 to 39°F), an annual precipitation of 257 to 461 mm, and an average humidity of 35 to 58 percent. The sheep are well adapted to this particular ecological condition. The average weight of grease fleece in ewes is about 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs.), and the wool quality is 60 to 64's (20-25µm).Breed categories: fine-woolDistribution: ChinaGerman Blackheaded MuttonSchwarzköpfiges FleischschafIn 1850, blackheaded meat breeds, such as Leicester, Southdown, and Hampshire were imported from England into Saxony to be crossed with local breeds. Thirty years later, breeding of these sheep started more in Westfalia and Eastern Prussia than in Saxony. The Merinofleischschaf (Merino mutton sheep) was prevalent in Saxony.Westfalia, with its high precipitation was the perfect area for the Schwarzkopf Fleischschaf, and it is still the main breeding area. German Blackheaded mutton sheep are medium-sized, white sheep that are wide and long with dark-brown to black head, ears, and legs. They grow crossbred wool with a tight and firm staple that protects them in a wet climate.Breed category: meat, medium woolDistribution: EuropeGerman Grey HeathGraue gehörnte Heidschnucke The German Gray Heath is the symbol of the Lueneburger Heide in Germany. Their ancestors, the Mouflon were at home in Corsica. Single lambs are born in spring with a curly, black fleece. After the sheep’s first yearly shearing, its wool turns silver gray with a black bib. Head and legs are black and free of wool. Rams weigh up to 80 kg (176 lb.s) and have imposing horns that curl close to the face. Ewes weigh about 45 kg (100 lbs.) and have short horns.Their meat tastes like venison. The dual-coated fleece of a ewe weighs 2.2 kg (4.4 lbs.), of a ram 4 kg (8.8 lbs.). The coarse, straight outer coat is 25 cm (11.4 in.) long. The downy underwool grows 6 cm (2.7 in) long and has a fiber diameter of 25 to 30 microns. The wool used to be sent to Belgium and Turkey to be worked into carpets.Breed category: landrace, rare, double-coatedDistribution: GermanyGerman MerinoMerinolandschaf In the 18th century, Southern German Landsheep were crossed with French and Spanish Merinos, which produced the Merinolandschaf. This sheep breed is the most wide-spread one in Germany today, with 40% of the total German sheep population. The Merinolandschaf of today started with the dual- coated Zaupelschaf, which already in 1539 was not liked because it produced inferior wool. For that reason it was crossed with the Marschschaf from the Lower Rhine.This sheep was large, prolific, and could march, and its wool had a fiber diameter of 33 to 36 microns. Later, Merino wool sheep from Spain and France were used to improve the wool quality. The Merinolandschaf has a large frame, a straight head with a small woolly tuft on top, no horns, and rough, large ears that stick out to the side, with legs free of wool. It is in no way a landrace, but a highly adaptable breed.Breed category: fine-woolDistribution: EuropeGerman Mutton Merino MerinofleischschafThere are three German Merino breeds: Merinolandschaf (Merino landsheep), Merinofleischschaf (Merino mutton sheep), and Merinolangwollschaf (Merino longwool sheep). Although all three breeds produce Merino wool and are similar in meat yield, they went through a different historical and genealogical development. The Merinofleischschaf is at home east of the Elbe river, spreading all the way to the Ural Mountains.It is suited for intense production in arid or in agricultural areas. It is highly resistant and easily adapts to any climate and keeping conditions. It grows easily with good meat yield. Non- seasonal breeding cycle (3 breedings in 2 years), high fecundity, and good mothering instincts make the Merinofleischschaf a good choice for intense milk-lamb production.Breed category: dual-purposeDistribution: EuropeGerman Whiteheaded Mutton Weißköpfiges Fleischschaf This breed was developed along the North Sea coast in the middle of the last century. English Leicester, Cotswold, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire were imported and crossbred with the local Wilstermarschschaf, a northern German marsh sheep. Breeders succeeded in retaining the wanted qualities of the marsh sheep, such as high fecundity, fast development, and large size. In the 1930’s, a new breed, the Deutsches Weißköpfiges Fleischschaf started to roam the grassy areas next to the North Sea.It is the perfect breed to withstand the rough, damp sea climate and suited for life on the dikes. The sheep fatten on the lush dike grass, pound down the earth and encourage new grass growth, thus helping to stabilize the North Sea dikes which makes them resistant against storm floods. The sheep need to be rugged and to protect them against the weather, they have a long, rough fleece with a fiber diameter of 37 to 41 microns. The white wool, also known as Eider wool, has a good crimp which is unusual for such rough wool.Breed category: dual-purposeDistribution: Europe Gotland Gotland Pelt Sheep, Swedish Fur/Pelt, Pälsfår Gotland sheep were first established on the large Baltic island of Gotland, off the east coast of Sweden. The Vikings brought Karakul and Romanov sheep back from Russia and crossed them with native landrace sheep, such as the Gute. Gotlands are polled. They have short, hair-tipped tails and do not require crutching.Lambs are born black and grow quickly, many turning to grey as they mature. Gotlands produce a quick growing, lustrous, colored, curly fleece of medium micron. The Gotland is found throughout Sweden where it is kept for its pelt and meat production. The breed was recently established in the United States via artificial insemination.Breed categories: fur, primitiveDistribution: Europe, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, North AmericaAmerican Gotland Sheep SocietyGotland Sheep Breeders Society of North AmericaBritish Gotland Sheep SocietyGreyface Dartmoor DartmoorThe Greyface Dartmoor is also known as the Dartmoor or "Improved" Dartmoor. Descended from the local breeds, which grazed the low ground in and around Dartmoor, they have immense strength of constitution developed through withstanding the severe winters and exposed conditions, which exist around the Moor. Improvements were carried out during the 19th century using the local Longwools (Notts) and the Leicester.The Dartmoor fleece is classified as Lustre Longwool. They are a medium sized sheep (approx. 60 kg/132 lbs.), hornless, deep bodied, short legged, with well woolled head and legs. The white face should be mottled or spotted with black or grey with matching feet.Breed categories: long woolDistribution: United KingdomDartmoor Sheep Breeders AssociationGromarkDevelopment of the Gromark began in 1965 in northern New South Wales, Australia. The Gromark is fixed at approximately 50 percent Corriedale and 50 percent Border Leicester. It is a dual-purpose sheep which evolved from objective selection for high growth rate and fertility with final selection being based on visual criteria: wool quality, frame, and carcass attributes.The Gromark is a large-framed breed (ewes average 80 kg/175 lb.) producing large lean lambs and good fleeces with wool fiber diameter being about 30 microns. Breed categories: dual-purposeDistribution: Australia Guirra Levant Red, SudatThe Guirra is found near the Mediterranean coast in the Spanish provinces of Alicante, Valencia, and Castellón de la Plana. The early history of the breed is not known, but according to some authors, the Guirra developed from crossings of the Manchega with thin-tailed North African breeds brought to the Mediterranean coastExcept for about 5 percent which are black, the color of their medium-fine fleece varies from reddish-brown to yellow-white. Sheep with white coats are not considered pure. The coat color of newborn lambs is a rich, reddish brown, which gradually lightens, becoming at full maturity, a dirty-cream color. Guirra means "reddish" in the Valencian dialect. Sudat means greasy, in reference to the oily condition of the uncleaned wool.Guirra sheep are raised almost entirely for meat. The main market is for "cordero pascual," Eastern lamb butchered at 2 to 3 months of age.Breed categories: meat, endangeredDistribution: SpainAsociación Nacional Criadores Raza Guirra Gulf Coast Native Florida Native, Louisiana NativeSpanish sheep first arrived in Florida in the 1500's. Later importations of Spanish and other breeds of sheep mixed with the earlier population, all evolving under the strong natural selection of the native range conditions of Florida and the other Gulf Coast states. Today a remnant of this population survives and is known as the Gulf Coast.Gulf Coasts are best known for their resistance to internal parasites. The Florida Agricultural Experiment Station in Gainesville has a flock which has been maintained without the use of anthelmintics since 1962. The Gulf Coast Native is classified as a "critical" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: medium wool, meatDistribution: United StatesGulf Coast Sheep Breeders AssociationGute GutefårGute sheep are the most primitive breed in the collection of breeds that make up the Swedish Landrace breed group. These breeds belong to the North European Short Tailed Breeds and are related to such breeds as the Finnsheep, Romanov, Spelsau, Shetland, Faroe, Orkney, and Icelandic sheep.Both rams and ewes have two well-developed, slightly turned, converging or diverging, symmetrical horns which are strongly curved and deeply ringed. The rams' horns are large and strong; the ewes' are thinner. Gute wool is coarse and may be straight or wavy. It is a mixture of fine wool, long coarser hair, and kemp fibers. Most sheep shed their fleece partly or entirely in the beginning of the summer.Breed categories: landrace, primitive, short-tail, coarse woolDistribution: Europe

Hampshire Hampshire Down The Hampshire sheep acquired its name from the agricultural county of Hampshire in southern England where it was developed from Old Hampshire, Southdown, Wiltshire Horn, and Berkshire Knot crosses. Hampshires were first brought to the United States in 1860, but all of the flocks were either destroyed or scattered during the Civil War. Importations in large numbers did not resume until the 1880's. Hampshires are a large breed, with black faces and legs and wool on the legs and head. Their fast growth rate and superior carcass merit make them a popular choice to sire crossbred market lambs. Breed categories: meat, medium wool, down Distribution: Worldwide American Hampshire Sheep Association Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders' Association Han Large-tail and Small-tail The Han is a type of Mongolian sheep. It was developed in the semi-humid agricultural areas of China (Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui and Jiangsu Provinces). There are two types of Han which in 1982, were claimed as two different breeds: Large-tail Han and Small-tail Han. The Large-tail Han are polled and are characterized by a long, broad, fat tail, with a thin twisted end turning upwards between two lobes, and broadest at the base. Maximum weight being 25 kg. Since the tail is too heavy for the sheep to move around easily during grazing, this type (or breed) is only adaptable to the plains. Han sheep are precocious and highly prolific, their fecundity levels being 163 percent for the Large-tail Han and 229% for the Small-tail Han. Recent reports have given even even higher figures of 192 percent for the Large-tail Han and 270 percent for the Small-tail. Breed categories: fat-tail Distribution: China Hebridean The Hebridean, a sheep breed now classified as rare, originated in the islands off the western coast of Scotland. They are classified as one of the Northern Short-tailed breeds. Over the centuries, Hebridean ewes have been selected by natural systems for hardiness in all weathers, ease of lambing, milkiness and good mothering instincts. Because Hebrideans have not been modified by artificial selection they remain a small, economically efficient breeding ewe with a surprising ability to produce quality cross-bred lambs. Both sexes are usually horned with either two or four horns, four horns being the most common. They have shown a greater tendency to browse than other sheep breeds which has made them useful in ecological projects where the control of brush and weeds was needed. Breed categories: Rare, Northern European short-tail Distribution: United Kingdom Hebridean Sheep Society Heidschnucke Lunebergs heideschaap The Heidschnucke are a fairly small sheep, initially originating from Niedersachsen in Germany. There are several varieties of Heidschnucke sheep: the grey horned Heidschnucke, the white horned Heidschnucke, and the moorschnucke (marsh sheep). At one time, the Heidschnucke were the most important sheep in northern Germany, but their numbers have declined substantially. Lambs are black at birth, but their fleece discolors their first year of life, until it gets its characteristic grey color. Both rams and ewes have beautiful horns. Lambing percentage is usually low, only about 100 percent. Breed categories: rare, primitive Distribution: Europe Herdwick They name Herdwick is derived from an old Norse word that means sheep pasture. It is believed that the ancestors of Herdwick sheep were introduced by early Norse settlers. Herdwick sheep are considered the most hardy of British hill sheep. They are raised mostly in the central and western dales of the Lake District and are noted for their foraging ability in rough terrain. They produce a good crossbred lamb, but their wool is considered to be of low quality and low value. The produce a coarse, grey wool, a carpet wool. Breed categories: rare, heritage Distribution: United Kingdom, United States Herdwick Guardian of the Fells Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association of North America, Inc. Hill Radnor The Hill Radnor is a hardy hill sheep with a long history attached to the central marshes of Wales. The Hill Radnor has a light brown face and legs, free from wool. The rams are horned, with horns of varying size; ewes are naturally polled. Compared to some other hill breeds, the fleece is white and dense, with a fine staple, and is popular with local hand-spinners and weavers. Like many hill breeds they are thrifty and good foragers Breed categories hill, medium wool, rare Distribution: United Kingdom Hill Radnor Flock Book Society Hog Island About 200 years ago, a flock of sheep was established on Hog Island, one of Virginia's barrier islands located off its Eastern Shore. The sheep were already native to the area and are believed to have had a substantial amount of Merino blood in them. There were occasional subsequent introductions to the population, the last being in 1953, when a Hampshire ram was taken to the island. In 1974, the island was sold to The Nature Conservancy, which decided to remove all the sheep and cattle. Gunston Hall Plantation in Fairfax County, Virginia, eventually became the owner of the greater number of these sheep and exhibited them as part of their replication of 18th century plantation life. Hog Island sheep evolved and survived for over 200 years in an extremely harsh environment on a limited diet and no medical attention. It is estimated that there are approximately 200 Hog Island breeding ewes, mostly in Virginia. Breed categories: medium wool, rare, heritage Distribution: United States Hog Island Sheep Breeders Association Hu Hu sheep originated from Mongolian sheep. They are distributed in the Zhejiang Jiangsu provinces of China and the suburbs of Shanghai. Hu sheep are well recognized for their beautiful wavy lambskins, early sexual maturity, aseasonal breeding, prolificacy, and the adaptability to a hot and humid climate. Hu sheep are raised indoors all year round. The lambskins taken from lambs slaughtered within the day of birth have distinctive wave-like stripes which are still retained after processing. Hu sheep lambskins are traditional export item of Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. The first estruses in ewes occur at the age of 4 to 5 months. Rams are capable of mating at the age of 4 months. Ewes cycle all year round. The average ovulation rate is 2.38 with higher ovulation rate of 2.60 in autumn and lower rate of 2.2 in spring. Under normal conditions, ewes lamb twice a year with litter size 2 to 3 lambs in most cases, and 7 to 8 lambs occasionally. Breed categories: fur, meat Distribution: China Icelandic The modern Icelandic Sheep is a direct descendant of the sheep brought to Iceland by the early Viking settlers in the ninth and tenth century. They are of the North European Short Tailed type, related to such breeds as the Finnsheep, Romanov, and Shetland. A major gene controlling prolificacy has been identified in the Icelandic breed. This gene exhibits action similar to the gene found in the Booroola Merino. The fleece from Icelandic sheep has an inner and outer coat typical of the more primitive breeds, and it is the wool for which Iceland is known. It is illegal to import any sheep into Iceland. Breed categories: double-coated, short-tailed Distribution: North America, Iceland, United Kingdom Icelandic Sheep Breeders of North America Ile de France The Ile de France is the result of crossing the English Leicester and the Rambouillet. The breed was originally known as the Dishley Merino. The breed is widespread in France and was introduced to Great Britain in the 1970's. The breed is wide and thick set. Both sexes are polled. The Ile de France is widely used throughout the world as a terminal sire for quality lamb production. Breed categories: meat, medium wool Distribution: Worldwide American Ile de France Sheep Association Ile de France Breeding Society of South Africa Imrov Gökçeada The Imrov is among the smallest sheep breeds in Turkey. They are raised for meat, milk, and wool. Animals are predominantly white, with black marks around the mouth, nose and eyes, on the ears and rarely on the tip of the legs. The tail is thin and long, usually reaching below the hocks. Rams have strong spiral horns extending sideways; ewes are usually polled, but up to 30 percent of the ewes may have small scurs. The head is narrow and its profile is straight. The wool is very coarse and long, and it covers the top of the head Breed categories: dual-purpose, carpet wool Distribution: Turkey INRA 401 The creation of the INRA 401 sheep bloodline began in France in 1970, after a series of experiments crossing the Berrichon du Cher x Romanov which began in 1963 with the Romanov breed. Matings were carried out for several successive generations, between breeding stock of the same generation chosen in priority to maintain the origins represented in the foundation generation. The INRA 401 is a highly productive ewe, with a 200 percent prolificacy, excellent out-of-season fertility, good milk production, and outstanding mothering ability. Breed categories: meat, medium wool Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom

JacobThe Jacob is a unique breed. Their most striking features are their four horns, two vertical center horns and two side horns curling along side of the head, and their spotted black and white fleece which is prized by hand spinners and weavers. The Jacob is an old, unimproved breed whose origins are obscure to say the least. Some say they are the result of the earliest recorded selective breeding as referenced in the Bible.Others claim they descend from Moorish sheep brought from Spain or Africa or from Norse sheep from Scandinavia and the northern Scottish islands. Jacobs came to Britain via the Iberian Peninsula and have been raised there for over 350 years. Until recent times, Jacobs were kept at only a few large estates in England and thought to be in danger of extinction, but they are making a comeback. The Jacob is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.Breed category: medium wool, rareDistribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North AmericaJacob Sheep Breeders AssociationAmerican Jacob Sheep RegistryJacob Sheep ConservancyJacob Sheep Society of the UKJezersko-SolcavaJezerskosolflorinavska sheep resulted from the crossbreeding of native white sheep with the Bergamasca sheep and with the Padova sheep. It resembles the Austrian Bergschaf that has a similar origin. The breed got its name after the breeding centers of Jezersko and Solflorinava. Its head has a convex profile and hanging ears. Its legs are long and strong. This breed is very convenient for lamb production in the Alpine and Pre-Alpine region. Since 1980, Jezersko-Solflorinavska sheep has been crossed by Romanovska sheep, hence number of pure breed animals has been decreased quickly. Therefore, a special program on preservation the pure breed has been started in 1991. An ewe has 1.42 lambs per lambing. Ewes are non-seasonal breeders and pregnancy usually occurs during the lactation period. Breed categories: meatDistribution: EuropeKamieniec Kamieniec are a Polish breed. They were created in the years 1954-1965 in the Kamieniec farm of the Breeding Center in Susz, near Olsztyn. The starting point was a flock of primitive ewes of the Pomeranian type, from individual farms in the regions of Gdansk and Koszalin or brought from settlers from the East. They were initially crossed with Leine and Texel rams, and then mated to Romney Marsh rams.After selection, the progeny was interbred in order to obtain genetic consolidation of the required traits and a more uniform type. Sheep of this strain have rather large, deep, and broad bodies. Their wool covering much of the body is uniform in quality, with long staples and high clean yield. This variety is also highly resistant to diseases, especially foot rot.Breed categories: dual-purpose, medium woolDistribution: Eastern EuropeKarakulAstrakhan, Bukhara, Persian Lamb The Karakul may be the oldest breed of domesticated sheep. Archeological evidence indicates the existence of the Persian lambskin as early as 1400 BC. and carvings of a distinct Karakul type have been found on ancient Babylonian temples. Native to the plains of Central Asia, Karakuls differ radically in conformation from most other American breeds. They are of the fat broad tailed type of sheep. In their large tail is stored fat, a source of nourishment, similar in function to the camel's hump.In Central Asia and South Africa , large flocks of Karakuls are still raised for pelt production from very young lambs. The skins of baby lambs with their tightly curled wool are used in the "Persian lamb" fur trade. Karakuls were introduced to the United States between 1908 and 1929. They are a specialty breed in the U.S. Their fleeces, long and colorful, are prized by hand spinners. Karakul wool is the wool upon which the art of felting evolved. The Karakul classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: double-coated, fat-tailed, rareDistribution: WorldwideAmerican Karakul Sheep RegistryKatahdinThe Katahdin is an improved breed of hair sheep, the first hair breed to meet North American industry standards for carcass quality. The Katahdin is a cross between British meat breeds, notably the Suffolk, African Hair sheep, specifically the St. Croix, and later the Wiltshire Horn. They were developed in the 1950's by amateur geneticist Michael Piel and take their name from Mt. Katahdin in Maine where the Piel farm was located.The Katahdin is an easy-care, low-maintenance meat-type sheep that is naturally tolerant of climatic extremes and capable of high performance in a variety of environments. One of the most outstanding characteristics of the Katahdin is its natural resistance to internal parasites. The Katahdin is one of the most popular breeds of registered sheep in the US. Breed categories: hair (meat)Distribution: North America, Caribbean, AsiaKatahdin Hair Sheep InternationalCanadian Katahdin Sheep SocietyKelsoThe Kelso is one of several composite breeds developed in New Zealand. Unlike traditional breeds, which are bred for appearance as well as productivity, composites are bred for productive traits alone. The Kelso is continually being upgraded and modified to meet changing market needs.Kelso uses the best tools available to ensure genetic progress. Kelso is a sheep genetics company which has developed two large scale breeding programs over the last 50 years. The Kelso (Maternal Sire) and Ranger (Terminal Sire) breeding flocks are run on five farms from Gisborne to Southland all genetically linked.Breed categories: meat, compositeDistribution: New ZealandKelso web siteKerry HillThe Kerry Hill breed is from Powys, on the English/Welsh borders, and it derives its name from the village of Kerry, near Newtown. There are records of this distinctive breed in this area dating back to 1809, and the first Flock Book was published in 1899. Registered Kerry Hill Sheep can be found throughout the British Isles, Ireland, and Holland.It is a handsome sheep, with a black nose and sharply defined black and white markings on the head and legs. The fleece handles well and is amongst the softest of British wools. The breed crosses well with Hill and Long wool breeds to make crossbred ewes.Breed categories: hill, dual-purposeDistribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North AmericaAmerican Kerry Hill Sheep SocietyKerry Hill Flock Book SocietyKivircikWestern ThraceThe Kivircik is found in northwestern Turkey, where it is kept for milk and meat production. Their fleece is of carpet-wool type, but the wool is of better quality than the wool of all other indigenous breeds in Turkey. They are white with white or spotted faces, similar to the Karnobat and the Tsigai. Black and brown varieties are also found. Rams have horizontal spiral horns extending sideways; ewes are usually polled. Tails are long and thin, usually reaching the hocks. Breed categories: multi-purpose, carpet woolDistribution: TurkeyLacauneThe Lacaune is the most numerous sheep breed in France. It has been selected in France for increased milk production under a sophisticated selection program incorporating artificial insemination, milk recording, and progeny testing of sires for longer than any other dairy sheep breed in the world.Annual genetic improvement for milk yield in the French Lacaune is estimated at 2.4 percent or 5.7 kg (12.5 lbs.). Lacaune ewes produce milk with higher total solids than the East Friesians, but in slightly less volume. The sheep of the Lacaune breed produce the milk which is responsible for the famous Roquefort cheese. Breed categories: dairyDistribution: Europe, North America, South America UPRA LacauneLacaune Breeding Association in Bulgaria Landschaf Bentheimer LandschafThis member of the heath-sheep landrace is a cross between German and Dutch heath sheep and a marsh sheep. Since 1934, it has been bred in the northern German Emsland area, especially in the county of Bentheim. The highly endangered, frugal Bentheimer Landschaf is used for landscape preservation. It is the largest of the German heath and moor sheep with long legs and hard hoofs.A slender, long head, Roman nose, small ears, no horns, long and woolly tail, describe the sheep. The sheep is white, but dark pigmentation is permitted around the eyes, on the ears and on its legs. Fleece weight is 3 to 4 kg (6.6 to 8.8 lbs.), with a fiber diameter of 34 to 40 microns. Breed categories: landrace, rareDistribution: EuropeLeicester LongwoolEnglish Leicester, LeicesterThe Leicester Longwool was important to the development of other long wool breeds and has made a large contribution to the sheep industries in Australia and New Zealand. The breed originated in the Leicester region of England and although it is a very old breed, Robert Bakewell, a pioneer in the field of animal genetics, is given credit for improving it during the 18th century.Leicesters are a big sheep with a heavy fleece of curly, lustrous wool that is even in length and fiber diameter. The breed was first imported into the United States during the time of the American Revolution, and it is believed that George Washington used Leicester sheep to improve his flock at Mt. Vernon. The Leicester Longwool is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: long wool, rareDistribution: WorldwideLeicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association LeineLeineschafThe Leine breed comes from the region of Nordheim (Hannover), in particular from the Leine river valley (hence the name). It was created through crossbreeding of local breeds with Friesian, Merino, and Berrichon du Cher rams as well as rams of the English Leicester, and Cotswold breeds. In effect, a white hornless sheep of the dual purpose type was obtained. Medium-early maturing with uniform medium coarse wool, it is a hardy and healthy breed, well adapted to difficult conditions and to walking over long distances. In Germany, the breed is nearly extinct. Breed categories: dual purpose, coarse woolDistribution: EuropeLetelleThe Letelle descends from the Spanish Merino. In 1921-1922, the original breeder, the late T.P. van der Walt acquired 35, large, plain-bodied ewes carrying fine wool. They were mainly of the Rambouillet type. He acquired 3 rams with the same qualities to serve as a nucleus for his breeding plans. His ideal was to produce a polled Merino sheep capable of yielding the maximum amount of wool and mutton per grazing unit, a balanced Merino adapted to South Africa's harsh climate. After 25 years of selective breeding, the sheep was introduced to the public. The Letelle is a medium-sized sheep with mutton conformation and uniformly Merino-type wool.Breed categories: fine woolDistribution: South AfricaLetelle Sheep Breeders SiteLimousineLimousine sheep originated in the region of France which gave them their name. The Limousine sheep breed has great hardiness and excellent adaptability in very varied regions, notably on non-chalky, acid soils. It is a breed notable for its female qualities: early sexual maturity, a sure aptitude for off-season breeding, maternal instinct, and milk value. Breed categories: medium wool, meatDistribution: Europe, United KingdomLincolnThe Lincoln is one of the world's largest breeds of sheep. Its fleece is the heaviest, longest-stapled and most lustrous of any breed in the world. Lincolns originated in a fertile area on the East Coast of England, bordering the North Sea and the county of Lincolnshire. They were first brought to the United States in 1825, where they contributed to the development of several commercially-important American breeds including the Columbia and Targhee. Breed categories: long wool, rareDistribution: WorldwideNational Lincoln Sheep Breeders AssociationLleynpronounced kleenLleyn sheep originate from the Lleyn peninsula in Wales and until recently were a relatively unfamiliar breed of sheep in the UK. Over the past 10 years the Lleyn breed has caught the eye of many farmers, and now Lleyn sheep can be found almost all over the Country. The Lleyn ewe is renowned for her tremendous mothering ability, ease of lambing, longevity, and prolificacy.Lleyn rams are an ideal way to inject maternal traits, fertility, and hybrid vigor back into breeding ewes. They are also becoming popular for crossing onto hill and lowland ewes to produce a quality prime lamb or to produce a Lleyn cross female replacement that carries the qualities of the Lleyn ewe. Breed categories: dual-purpose, long woolDistribution: United KingdomLleyn Sheep Society LonkThe Lonk has been bred on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Pennines from time immemorial. It is an aristocrat by virtue of origins as ancient as the hills on which it roams. It is one of the largest native hill breeds in England. The face is pure black and white, and the legs are speckled black and white. Both sexes are horned. Lonk ewes are prolific and good mothers. They are often crossed with Down and Continental tups (rams) to produce a long lean lamb suitable for the modern consumer. Lonk tups are often put to ewes of other hill breeds such as Swaledale, Dalesbred, Scottish Blackface, and Welsh ewes to produce bigger lamb carcasses and improve wool quality.Breed categories: carpet wool, hillDistribution: United KingdomLonk Sheep Breeders Association

Manchega The Manchega sheep comes from the Entrefino breed and has a double production use: milk and sheep meat. Among this breed, there are two accepted varieties: black and white. The latter one makes up more than 90 percent of the animals. The average milk production is 100 liters (26.4 gallons) per animal a year, being markedly seasonal during the months of April, May and June. Manchego cheese is the most important and well-known sheep’s milk cheese in Spain. True Manchega cheese is made only from whole milk of the Manchega sheep raised in the "La Mancha" region. This region is a vast high plateau, more than 600 meters (1,969 ft.) above sea level. Breed categories: dual purpose (dairy and meat) Distribution: Spain, Europe Manx Loaghtan The Manx Loaghtan is found on the Isle of Man off the coast of Great Britain. It is member of the Northern Short-tailed group, similar to the Hebridean, but slightly larger. It's wool is chocolate brown with paler tips. The Manx Loaghtan is descended from the primitive sheep once found throughout Scotland and the coastal islands of Britain. Manx Loaghtan are horned with four horns being preferred. In England, the majority is two-horned. Individuals are also found with six horns. The horns are small on the ewes, but are larger and stronger on the males. They sometimes shed their natural colored wool in the spring. The meat is appreciated as a delicacy and is protected by EU law. Breed categories: primitive, short-tail Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Manx Loaghtan Sheep Group Masham Masham sheep have been bred for over a century on the hill farms in the Northern Counties of England. They are produced by crossing a Teeswater ram onto either a Dalesbred or Swaledale ewe, both hardy hill breeds. It is from these parent breeds that the Masham gains its hardiness, longevity, heavy milking qualities, strong mothering instincts and high prolificacy. The Masham ewe is medium sized and hornless. Her fleece is long staples, 8-10 inches on a yearling and 6 to 7 inches on a ewe, with a good degree of luster. Breed categories: half-breed, dual purpose, long wool Distribution: United Kingdom Masham Sheep Breeders Association Meatlinc The Meatlinc is a British breed, in the Terminal Sire category, developed from a breeding program originated by Henry Fell in the early 1960’s.Originally a mixture of chosen individuals from five breeds, two British and three French, the Meatlinc evolved as a result of many years of rigorous and disciplined selection based on performance recording carried out under strictly commercial conditions. The breed was closed to any further use of outside genetic material in 1975. It is thus a genuine pure breed with recognizable uniformity. It is amongst the biggest of the British breeds, a mature ram weighing 140 kg (over 300 lbs.). Breed categories: meat, terminal sire Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Meatlinc Rams Meatmaster In the early 1990's, determined to utilize the advantages of the indigenous fat-tailed hair breeds and realizing the huge gap between the fat-tailed breeds and the well-muscled British and European breeds and the need for a truly good pure hair breed with good meat qualities, a group of South African farmers decided to develop a composite breed. Various fat-tailed breeds were thus crossed with well-muscled breeds and the dream of the Meatmaster emerged. Meatmaster sheep are selected solely for economic factors under natural conditions. They have been exported to Namibia, Australia, and Canada. The Meatmaster must just have a percentage of Damara blood in it. The rest can be that of any other sheep breed. Breed categories: hair (meat) Distribution: Africa, Australia, Canada Meatmaster South Africa Miniature Cheviot (Brecknock Hill Miniature Cheviot) Cheviot sheep originated in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland. They were introduced to the US in 1838. Border Cheviots are small, hardy sheep that spend their lives on the moors. In the US, they have become larger than their ancestors from the UK, so the Brecknock Hill Miniature Cheviot registry was formed to preserve the original size. The registry recently dropped "Brecknock Hill" from its name to differentiate American Miniature Cheviots from the Brecknock Hill Cheviots that originated in Wales and are slightly different. Miniature Cheviots are usually white, with small heads and erect little pointed ears. Their fleeces provide a medium wool with a distinctive helical crimp and a long staple, perfect for hand spinning. Maximum height at two years of age is 23 inches at the top of the shoulder when sheared. Mature ewes weigh 45 lbs. to 85 lbs.; mature rams 55 lbs. to 100 lbs. Breed categories: dual-purpose, miniature Distribution: United States Mini Cheviot Mirror Sheep Spiegelschaf The Mirror Sheep has a characteristic head design. Besides its otherwise white color, it has black eye marks, black ear points, and a black nostril. A medium-sized sheep, Mirror Sheep are undemanding compared to other sheep. They descend from old Bündner sheep races like the Prättigauer sheep and probably have influences of the silk sheep and the Luzeiner sheep. Austrian races might have participated like the Montafoner and the eyeglass sheep in the emergence of the Mirror Sheep. Breed categories: meat Distribution: Europe Das Speigelschaf Montadale The Montadale was developed in the United States from Cheviot and Columbia crosses. E.H. Mattingly, a well-known commercial lamb buyer is given credit for developing the breed. His idea was to bring together the qualities of big western-white faced sheep and the popular mutton characteristics of Midwestern sheep. His result was a good meat type, dual-purpose animal with the head and legs free of wool and with the stylish appearance and agile body of the Cheviot. For fifteen years, many of these Montadale lambs were carcass tested for characteristics which are now the standard in the industry, but which at that time were yet to become widely accepted as the ideal. The Montadale breed is considered a dual-purpose breed noted for producing both high-quality carcasses as well excellent wool. Breed categories: dual-purpose, medium wool Distribution: North America Montadale Sheep Breeders Association, Inc. Morada Nova The Morada Nova comes from northeast Brazil and is probably of African origin. It may also be related to a Portugal breed called Bordaleiro. The breed originated from selection of individuals of the Brazilian Woolless. Both sexes are polled. The rams do not have a throat ruff. It has been reported that they have a litter size of 1.32 to 1.76. The predominant color is red to cream, but white animals are also found. The breed is small with mature lamb and ewe weights of about 40 (88 lbs.) and 30 kg (66 lbs.), respectively. Breed categories: hair (meat) Distribution: South America Mouflon (Ovis musimon) The Mouflon 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. It is now rare, but has been successfully introduced into central Europe, including Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovak Republics, and Romania. Breed categories: native (wild) Distribution: Europe, North America United Horned Hair Sheep Association

Navajo-Churro The Navajo-Churro was the first domesticated sheep introduced into North America. Brought from Southern Spain in 1514, Churro sheep became the mainstay of Spanish ranches and villages along the Rio Grande. Native Indians acquired flocks of Churro for food and clothing through raids and trading and eventually incorporated them into their lifestyle. After nearly becoming extinct through a government sheep "improvement" program in the mid-1900's, the breed is now recovering and becoming more popular, though still considered a "rare" breed. They are a small breed, hardy, and disease resistant. Rams may carry four horns. The Churro fleece is long, fine, and coarse. It has two layers and is low in oil. Native Navajo tribes still use the Churro fleece to weave their famous rugs and blankets. The Navajo Churro is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: double-coated, rare, heritage Distribution: North America, Europe Navajo-Churro Sheep Association New Mexico Dahl New Mexico Dahl Sheep are an almost extinct Spanish Colonial heritage hair sheep breed under development at Terra Patre Wildlife Preserve & Teaching Farm in Colorado and New Mexico. The goal in developing these unique sheep is to produce a truly multi-marketable, low-maintenance product. These hardy, no-shear sheep are beautiful and majestic with the rams supporting magnificent horns. They are also very excellent sources of lean, less muttony tasting meat. The NM Dahl is taking this one step further and wanting to increase the meat marketability along with increasing the growth of the horns not only on rams but also on the ewes for even better future horn genetics. With this in mind, New Mexico Dahl Sheep are hybrids of the best horned and meat hair sheep. Beginning with the descendants of hair sheep brought to the USA in 1598 by the Onate Spanish Colonists, and not being limited to breeding within the Corsican Sheep family (Texas Dall, Black Hawaiian, and Painted Desert Mouflon crosses), breeding is based solely on a focus of easy care, big horns and heavy meat carcasses, as well as maintaining the shedding ability in these wonderful hybrids. [Text provided by Terra Patre Wildlife Preserve and Rescue] Breed categories: hair, exotic, heritage Distribution: United States United Horned Hair Sheep Association New Zealand Halfbred The New Zealand Halfbred is a registered breed of sheep, originally developed in the 19th century by crossing one of the English longwool breeds such as Lincoln, English Leicester, or Romney, with the Merino. New Zealand Halfbreds are mainly farmed in the foothills of the South Island high country. Their wool has a fiber diameter of 25 to 31 microns, intermediate between Corriedale and Polwarth. Staple length is 3 to 4 inches. Breed categories: half-bred, medium-wool, dual-purpose Distribution: New Zealand Nolana Nolana-Fleischschafe, Nolana-Landschafe The breeding aim of the Nolana sheep is to combine the advantages of hair sheep with the advantages of native wool sheep. Nolana sheep are hair sheep. They don’t produce wool, but carry a smooth coat during summer and a 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 1.8 in) thick pelt during winter which they shed naturally in spring. Therefore, they don’t need to be shorn. Two types of sheep have evolved during the development of the Nolana sheep: a meat-type (fleischscafe) and a landrace-type (landscafe) for more extensive settings and landscape management. The meat-type is mostly white, while the landrace-type is more variable in color and type. Breed categories: hair (meat) Distribution: Europe Nolana Network Germany Norfolk Horn The Norfolk Horn originated in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge, England. It is one of the ancient "Heath" breeds now being revived in small numbers. The Norfolk Horn was used along with Southdown in the development of the Suffolk breed. It is a medium-sized breed with a long body and legs. The face and legs are black or dark brown and free of wool. The fleece is white with new born lambs being mottled. Both sexes are horned and the horn pattern is an open spiral. The feet are black. Breed categories: landrace, rare, medium-wool Distribution: United Kingdom Norfolk Horn Breeders' Group North Country Cheviot North Country Cheviots are a "hill breed" of sheep. They evolved on the rugged Scotch highlands and of necessity had to thrive unattended by man and search for food on wild unimproved land. In these conditions the ewes usually lambed alone, and the newborn lambs survived by their near-miraculous ability to get-up, nurse, and run just minutes after their birth. North Country Cheviot sheep are intelligent, self-reliant, resourceful, and among the healthiest and most long-lived breeds. The North Country is an tough sheep that produces both a superior lamb crop and a fleece that delights hand spinners. It has outstanding crossbreeding ability and can be used as either the sire or the dam breed. Breed categories: dual-purpose, hill Distribution: United Kingdom, North America American North Country Cheviot Sheep Association North Country Cheviot Sheep Society North of England Mule This medium- sized crossbred sheep, sired by the Bluefaced Leicester, has a Swaledale or Northumberland type Blackface dam. The latter two breeds are born and reared on the Northern fells and moors and noted for their qualities of hardiness, thriftiness, and longevity. The Mule ewe has the ability to produce and rear prolific crops of lambs under any system. Lambs from the Mule by a Down or continental type breed of sire give a first class carcass, at 17 to 22 kg (37 to 48 lbs.), ideal for both the UK and continental markets. The fleece of the Mule has a staple length of 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 in) and a Bradford Count of 46's-54's. It is mainly used for the manufacture of knitwear and carpets. The Mule is hornless with a brown/black face, clean of wool, with a tendency towards a "Roman" nose. Ears and legs are white with brown markings. It is the most popular crossbred ewe in the UK. Breed categories: half-breed, meat Distribution: United Kingdom North of England Mule Sheep Association North Ronaldsay (Orkney Sheep) The North Ronaldsay is a small rare breed of sheep of the Northern short-tailed group of breeds. They have remained virtually unchanged. Their most unique feature is their diet, which consists mostly of seaweed. Mature ewes rarely exceed 25 kg (55 lbs); rams about 30 to 35 kg (66-77 lbs.). The animals are primitive and fine-boned and have evolved in a specialized seashore environment on their native island. They adapt well to mainland management including conservation grazing. Rams are horned, but ewes can be horned, polled, or scurred. Virtually any color of wool is possible. Wool is fairy fine, with some kemp. Rams develop a mane and beard of coarse hair. There are about 3,700 of these sheep still on the island of North Ronaldsay. Breed categories: rare, primitive, short-tailed Distribution: United Kingdom North Ronaldsay Sheep Fellowship

Old Norwegian Sheep Villsau The Old Norwegian Sheep is a small primitive type of sheep which inhabited Norway and the rest of Scandinavia as well, including Iceland and Faeroes. Probably only the feral Soay Sheep of St. Kilda are more primitive. The sheep are small framed, with good legs and a fleece varying in color from almost white to greyish, dark brown, badger-faced, muflon pattern and black. Adult males weigh on average 43 kg (95 lbs.) and females 32 kg (70 lbs.). The fleece is remarkably fine and in contrast to the Mouflon, the inner fleece is highly developed. The outer coat has long fibers, up to 30 cm (11.8 in) around the neck on the males. Normally, the sheep shed their fleece naturally in early July. All the males of this breed are horned with approximately 10 percent of the ewes also being horned. This breed of sheep has a unique pattern of flight (escaping an enemy), which makes it suitable for use in grazing areas with predators. Breed categories: primitive, rare, Northern European short-tailed, double-coated Distribution: Norway Ossimi The Ossimi breed originated in the Ossim village in the Giza Governorate of Egypt and is the most popular among the Nile and Delta sheep breeds. It is thought to be expanding its range at the expense of other breeds. The breed is adapted to variable conditions and is usually raised under intensive cropping conditions. They are a medium sized sheep, narrow, with a shallow body and long legs. They are multi-colored, usually white with a brown head, neck, and legs. They produce coarse/carpet wool and have a fat tail. Rams are horned. Breed categories: fat-tailed, meat, carpet wool Distribution: Middle East, Africa Ouessant Ushant, Breton Dwarf Sheep The Ouessant is one of the smallest sheep breeds in the world. They originated on Ile d'Ouessant, a small island off the coast of Brittany, France. Most animals are black in coloration with a few white individuals also occurring. The average thickness of their wool is 27 to 28 microns. It is suitable for suitable for fine knitting yarns and soft weaving yarns. Ushants are a dwarf breed with the males being horned and the females polled (naturally hornless). The breed is rare. Breed categories: rare Distribution: Europe Fokkersvereniging Ouessant Schapen Ouessant Sheep Society Ouessant Sheep Conservation Society UK Oxford Oxford Down The Oxford or "Oxford Down," originated in Oxford County, England. The breed was the result of crossing Cotswolds and Hampshires. It has been contented that very early in the development of the Oxford breed, a small amount of Southdown blood was introduced. The breed has never become prominent outside of its own native area in England. Oxfords have been exported to many major sheep countries. The Oxford is one of the largest breeds of sheep . It produces the heaviest fleece of any of the Down breeds. In the U.K., it is a specialist breed to cross with commercial crossbred ewes for meat production. The first Oxfords were imported to the United States in 1846. They are a relatively minor breed in the U.S. Breed categories: medium wool, meat, down Distribution: Worldwide American Oxford Sheep Association Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' Association

Painted Desert The Painted Desert Sheep is a spotted hair sheep that received most of its influence from the Mouflon. Before being established as a separate breed, it was considered by many to be a parti-colored Corsican. Other early influence came from Merino and Rambouillet, and a few four-horned individuals stem from Jacob or Churro ancestry. Long desired by hunters because of the large horns and aesthetic, flashy looks, the Painted Desert is now popular among exotic and alternative livestock fanciers. These sheep shed their short winter wool naturally each spring, leaving a glossy, slick coat. Colors can be very wild with mixes of up to four or five colors. They breed out of season and lamb twice a year, with twins and even triplets occurring often. They produce a carcass of lean meat without a muttony taste. Rams must show Mouflon influence by sporting a luxurious mane in addition to large, heavy horns of homonymous, supracervical or polycerate types. Some ewes may be horned. [Text by Anita Garza] Breed category: hair, exotic Distribution: United States Painted Desert Sheep Society Panama The Panama breed of sheep is one of only two recognized breeds of sheep which were developed in the United States by private sheep breeders. Originating in Idaho in the early 1900's, the Panama began as a cross between Rambouillet rams and Lincoln ewes. Following approximately five years of crossbreeding, rams and ewes were mated among themselves to establish the breed. The Panama is a hardy breed that is highly adapted to range areas with ample feed conditions. They are polled, resemble the Columbia breed, but are more intermediate in size, and produce a heavy, dense medium-grade fleece with a long staple length. Breed category: dual-purpose, medium wool Distribution: United States Pelibüey The Pelibüey is a hair sheep, probably closely related to the West African, Red African, African or Africana breed of Columbia and Venezuela. It is descended from the West African Dwarf and is found in Cuba, coastal areas of Mexico, and other locales in the Caribbean. It comprises 75 percent of sheep population in Cuba. Hair color ranges from beige, brown, dark brown, red, white, black, and roan, with both solid and a combination of colors found. Males do carry a throat ruff, but usually do not have horns. Breed category: hair (meat) Distribution: Caribbean, Mexico, South America Pitt Island The Chatham Islands, inhabited by about 50 people, lie about 750 kilometers (469 miles) east of the Mainland of New Zealand. In 1841, Saxony Merino sheep were introduced to the Island. They have been untended for about 80 years. Natural selection has resulted in self-shedding fleeces and natural parasite resistance. Originally, they were all white. Half were black by 1950. Since 1997, 90 percent of flock has been pigmented, most being solid black and about 5 percent moorit. Almost 97 percent of the rams have horns. The horns can be massive, forming complete spirals up to 95 cm (38 in) around the curve. In 1981, 305 of these feral sheep were placed in a specially created scientific reserve on Pitt Island. Some have been exported to the mainland of New Zealand where they are maintained by rare breeds enthusiasts. Breed category: feral, rare Distribution: New Zealand Polish Merino Merynos polski The first Merino sheep were introduced to Poland from Spain in 1786. In the early 19th centural, Electoral Merinos were imported. After 1860, Merinos of the Rambouillet and Precoce types were brought to Poland, and work towards a dual-purpose type of sheep was begun. In the period between 1918 and 1939, the breed was improved for meat traits using such breeds as the Mele and Ile de France, created on the basis of English Longwool sheep. After 1945, Fleischmerinos and Landmerinos were introduced into some of the Merno flocks which survived the war. The Polish Merino flocks are located mostly in western Poland. The Polish Merino shows both meat and wool traits. Breed category: fine wool, dual-purpose Distribution: Europe Polish Mountain Sheep Polska owca górska Polish Mountain Sheep evolved from the old Carpathian Cakiel, and especially one of its varieties - the primative Podhale sheep. The breed can be found in the whole Polish part of the Carpathian mountains; however, it is most frequently found in the Podhale region near the town of Nowy Sącz, where the breed traditionally originates. It has a light build, thin but strong legs and narrow rump. Polish Mountain sheep are milked. The milk yield is 50 to 100 liters per lactation and 40 to 80 liters in a milking period of 150 days with a fat content of 7 to 8 percent. Meat production is rather poor. The wool is white and coarse, suitable for carpet manufacture. The thatch-like coat consists of loose locks, with a characteristic parting line along the back. Breed category: carpet wool, dairy Distribution: Europe Polwarth The Polwarth is a dual-purpose sheep, developed in Victoria, Australia, in 1880. It is 75 percent Merino and 25 percent Lincoln. Polwarths are well suited to areas with improved pastures and are mainly found in the higher rainfall districts of southern Australia. The breed has been successfully exported to many countries, particularly South America where they are know as "Ideals". The Polwarth breed contains both polled and horned sheep with the polled types predominating. It is large framed, robust, and produces a high-yielding, soft-handling fleece of 22 to 25 micron fiber diameter. Much of the emphasis within the breed has been directed towards developing and improving the wool aspects. Breed category: dual-purpose, medium wool Distribution: New Zealand, Australia, South America Polwarth Sheep Breeders' Society of Australia Polypay The Polypay is a synthetic breed, developed in the 1970's at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, and Nicholas Farms at Sonoma, California. Targhee x Dorset and Rambouillet x Finnsheep crosses were mated to form a 4-breed composite that could produce two lamb crops and one wool crop per year. Polypays are a medium-sized, prolific breed with an extended breeding season. Good mothers and milkers, they produce lambs with acceptable growth and carcass quality. The name Polypay comes from "poly" for many or much and "pay" to indicate a return on investment and labor. Breed category: medium wool, dual-purpose Distribution: North America American Polypay Association Pomeranian Coarsewool Rauhwolliges Pommersches Landschaf, Pomorska The Pomeranian Coarsewool is a landrace sheep that used to be kept in small flocks along the Baltic Sea in Pomeranian (Pomerania) and Mecklenburg for its wool, meat, and milk. The Pomeranian are highly resistant against parasites. They are not fussy eaters, thrive on sandy, as well as moory ground and can be kept alone or in small flocks. They attach themselves to people, are hardy and not demanding. They lamb easily by themselves on the pasture and can be bred three times in two years. It is a dual-coated breed, with an outer coat of 14 to 22 cm long wool and a fine downy undercoat. The Pomeranian turn lighter as they age, therefore a silver-gray lamb will turn white and should be culled. Hand spinners love the wool with its interesting shades of gray, and they turn the yarn into rugged, indestructible sweaters and jackets. Breed category: landrace, double-coated Distribution: Europe Portland The Portland, once common in Dorset, is now one of England's rarest breeds. It is most likely that the Portland is all that is left of the Western Tan-faced horn, common in the Southwest during the Middle Ages. The Portland was one of the breeds used in the development of the Dorset breed. Portlands are small. They are free of wool on the face and lower legs, which are tan. The lambs are born fox red in color and lighten to either white or gray during the first few months of life. Both sexes are horned, with the ram's horns having a heavy spiral. This breed will sometimes breed out of season. In fact, it was the first breed of sheep in Britain able to have lambs at any time of the year. Breed category: medium wool, rare Distribution: United Kingdom Portland Sheep Breeders Group Priangan Preanger, Garut Sheep In the Priangan residency of West Java which includes the five districts of Bandung, Garut, Sumedang, Ciamis and Tasikmalaya, there is a breed of sheep which has been developed primarily for ram fighting (Ketangkasan Seni Domba). The rams are selected for size, horn size, and for fighting ability. The champion rams are highly priced and may fetch up to 300,000 rupiah (US$ 1 = 415 rupiah). However, they are not used for breeding during their fighting career as it is feared that mating would deprive them of their taste for fighting. The Priangan is a variety of the Javanese Thin-tailed. Some indications are that Africander and Merino breeding were introduced in the 19th century. They are usually black or pied, occasionally individuals will be gray or tan. Males are horned and females are polled. Individuals often lack external ears. Breed category: meat Distribution: Indonesia

Rabo Largo Rabo Largo, meaning broad tail, are found in northeastern Brazil. They originated from fat-tailed hair breeds which were brought from Africa and crossed with the native Crioulo. They are white, pied, or white, with a colored head. Both sexes are horned. Individuals within the breed vary between hair and carpet wool. The breed is one of the long fat-tailed breeds. Breed category: hair (meat) Distribution: South America Racka Zackel The Racka is a unique breed with both ewes and rams possessing long spiral shaped horns. The breed is of the Zackel type and originated in Hungary. The breed is used for milk, wool and meat production. Mature males may have horns as long as two feet or more. The minimum standard length is given as 50 cm (20 inches) for rams and 30 cm (12 to 15 inches) for ewes. The cork-screw horns protrude almost straight upward from the top of the head. The Racka has been described as a hardy animal and is often used in crossbreeding due to its ability to pass this survivability to its offspring. The breeds unique appearance and quiet disposition would make it a desirable animal for hobby situations. Breed category: long wool, dual-purpose Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom, United States The Racka Sheep Society Rahmani The Rahmani originated in northern Syria and northern Turkey and was introduced into Egypt in the 9th century. The original stock is the Red Karman from Turkey. The breed is named after Rahmania, a village in the Beheira Governorate in the North of the Delta. This breed is believed to have some resistance to internal parasites. The animals breed all year round. The twinning rate is relatively high. They are the largest of the Egyptian sheep breeds. They produce coarse/carpet wool and have a fat-tail. Their color is brown, which fades with age. Breed category: fat-tailed Distribution: Middle East Rambouillet The Rambouillet is the "backbone" of the American Sheep Industry, forming the foundation of most western range flocks and raised throughout the United States. The Rambouillet descends entirely from the Spanish Merino. In fact, it is the French version of the Merino developed when Louis XVI imported 386 Spanish Merinos in 1786 for his estate at Rambouillet. Though named for the town in France, the breed owes much of its development to Germany and the United States. The Rambouillet is a dual purpose sheep, producing a desirable carcass and good fine wool. Rambouillets are large sized, rugged and long-lived with a strong flocking instinct. Rambouillet ewes possess many desirable traits which have resulted in their inclusion in crossbreeding programs to improve lamb production. Breed category: fine wool, dual-purpose Distribution: North America, Europe American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association Red Engadine Fuchsfarbene Engadiner Red Engadine sheep orginated in Switzerland in Lower Engadin and in the bordering Tirolian and Bavarian valleys. They originate from local varieties, from the Stone Sheep and the Bergamask sheep. They are medium to large framed and are distinguished by their ram nose and their long, hanging ears. They have a dark-brown body and a red-brown, medium to coarse wool which with increasing age becomes lighter. They are an easy-care sheep, well suited to extensive production situations. In the 1980's, the breed was almost extinct in Switzerland, but conservation efforts reversed the trend and in 1992, the Swiss Engadine Sheep Breeders Club was formed. Breed category: rare Distribution: Europe Red Masai Red Masai are an East African fat-tailed type of hair sheep used for meat production. They are found in northern Tanzania, south central Kenya, and Uganda. Masai are red-brown, occasionally pied. Males are horned or polled. Females are usually polled. Red Masai are known for being resistant to internal parasites. Breed category: hair (meat), fat-tailed Distribution: Africa, Europe Rhoen Rhöenschaf, Rhönschaf, Rhön One of the oldest landraces in Germany was mentioned in 1844 in the files of the convent of Fulda: “The common sheep of the Rhoen farmer is a normal German sheep with peculiar characteristics, which even in foreign countries is known as Rhöenschaf. It is yellow-white with a black hornless head and is clothed in coarse, non-elastic wool, with little crimp. Its body is large, the bones are strong, and it lends itself to fattening.” Pictures from 1873 show that the Rhöenschaf then was similar to the one of today, despite crossbreeding attempts with Cotswold, Oxfordshire, and Merino rams. Even today it is a medium to large-sized sheep with long legs and no horns. It is the only breed with white legs and black head that is free of wool. This extremely hardy and frugal landrace is well suited for the wet climates of rough highlands, where it is useful in landscape preservation. In the higher regions, the sheep feed on rough grasses and tree sprouts; in lower areas, they groom the meadows that are dotted with fruit trees. Breed category: meat Distribution: Africa, Europe Sächsische Schaf- und Ziegenzuchtverband e.V. Rideau Rideau sheep are one of three Canadian breeds. Their development began in 1968 at Agriculture Canada's Animal Research Centre in Ottawa when the Centre's Suffolk, Shropshire, and Dorset sheep were combined with imported breeds: Finnish Landrace and East Friesian. In 1974, the Rideau was closed to the introduction of new genetic material. From 1974 to 1977, the numbers within the breed were multiplied with minimal culling to broaden the genetic base. From 1977 to 1986, selection emphasis was on high fertility and the potential for yearround lambing and to a lesser extent retail cut yield. In 1988 and 1989, the breed was released to nucleus flock owners. Since 1989, the breed's popularity has grown rapidly. Rideau sheep should be used in commercial flocks to improve the maternal traits within that flock. Approximately 50 percent of Rideau ewes carry three lambs or more during pregnancy and another 40 percent carry twins. Breed category: meat, prolific Distribution: North America Rideau Arcott Breeders of North American (Facebook group) Romanov The Romanov sheep breed originated in the Volga Valley, northeast of Moscow. The name “Romanov” comes from the old royal family of Russia. These sheep were first noticed in the 18th century, and were later imported into Germany and then France. In 1980, the Canadian government brought in 14 Romanov ewes and 4 rams for testing and put them into quarantine for 5 years. After that, some were brought to the United States Romanov ewes tend to lamb by the litter. Most other sheep give birth to singles and twins, while the Romanov average about 2 to 5 lambs per lambing. When the lambs are born they are pure black but when they get older they turn gray. Romanov wool (a mixture of gray wool and black guard hair) is used for rugs, mats, and wall hangings. Breed category: meat, prolific, short-tailed Distribution: Worldwide North American Romanov Sheep Association Romeldale/California Variegated Mutant (CVM) American Romeldale The Romeldale is a breed of sheep developed by A.T. Spencer, who felt the Romney breed would increase the staple, length, and carcass quality of his Rambouillets. Through many years of selection, the Romeldale breed was developed, with fleece properties of 60-64's, extremely high yield, and uniformity including carcass cutability superior to the other whiteface breeds. During the 1960's, Glen Eidman, a partner of J.K. Sexton, found in his purebred Romeldale flock a multi-colored ewe lamb. Two years later a ram lamb of the same barred pattern was born and when crossed with the ewe, the resulting offspring were of the same color pattern. Through subsequent breeding and further mutants from the Romeldale flock, the C.V.M. Breed was born. These sheep, christened C.V.M.'s or California Variegated Mutants, were kept by Eidman who then placed emphasis on spinability of the fleece, twinning, and lambing ease. The CVM is classified as a "critical" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: medium wool, rare Distribution: United States American Romeldale/CVM Association Romney The Romney is truly a versatile breed, as demonstrated by its ability to produce quality meat and wool under diverse climate conditions and management systems. It is so-named for the Romney Marsh region in Kent, England where it was developed as a dual purpose sheep. Due to the extreme geographic and climatic conditions of the region, Romney sheep developed some specific breed characteristics which include hooves which are resistant to footrot and fleeces which remain heavy in harsh weather. Due to similar land topography, Romneys made an easy transition to the Southern Island of New Zealand and the Falkland Islands where they quickly established themselves as the most predominant breed. The first Romneys came to the United States in 1904. Their long, lustrous fleeces are sought by hand spinners. Breed category: long wool, dual-purpose Distribution: Worldwide American Romney Breeders Association Romney Sheep Breeders Society Rouge de l'Ouest The Rouge is a medium sized breed of excellent conformation without excessive bone. As its name suggests, its head, which is hornless, can vary from pink to deep red and is covered with fine hair. The breed is strong and deep through the chest with good length in back and loin, but it is the exceptional hind quarters and muscling that are immediately recognized as the powerhouse of the Rouge. The Rouge de l'Ouest is of the same origin as the Bleu du Maine, but with a distinctive pink face and legs. It is used primarily for market lamb production, though was originally kept as a dairy sheep to produce Camembert cheese. However; French breeders concentrated on breeding their animals for superior conformation, whilst retaining prolificacy and milkiness. The name Rouge de l'Ouest (usually shorted to Rouge) translates as Red of the West, describing both the color and origin of the breed. Breed category: meat, medium wool Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe British Rouge Sheep Society Rough Fell The Rough Fell is an exceptionally docile sheep that excels in hardiness and has no equal in its power to exist under adverse conditions. It is well fitted to endure the hardships of the mountains and valleys of Northern England including the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Drafted to lower ground, the Rough Fell is a dual purpose breed and is found in many counties of the United Kingdom. They are ideal for crossing. The breed has a horned black head with a definite white patch on the nose. Breed category: carpet wool Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Rough Fell Sheep Breeders' Association Roussin Roussin de la Hague Roussin Sheep were developed from, the Brittany Heath Sheep. Dishley Leicester and the Southdown. In the 1960's the breed was improved using Suffolk and Avranchin. In 1977, the breed was closed and the characteristics established. The main areas in France the Roussin are the Cherbourg peninsular, Normandy, and Brittany. The French sheep breeds tend to stay in their local areas. However Roussin Rams have been taken down to the Carmangue to be used on the feral sheep to produce fat lambs off the salt marsh. Roussin sheep are now found throughout Europe and the UK, able to adapt to any soil or climatic conditions. Roussin are hardy and prolific, capable of achieving with 200% lambing average. Ewes have plenty of milk and lamb growth rates are averaging 340 grams (0.75 lbs.) per day up to 100 days. Lambs finish at 18 to 21 kg (40 to 46 lbs.) dead weight. The carcasses are noted for their exceptional meat to bone ratio. Breed category: carpet wool Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Royal White® The Royal White® is a relatively new breed of hair sheep privately funded and developed by William Hoag, of Dorpcroix Sheep Farm in Hermeleigh, Texas. The breed is a cross between the Dorper and St. Croix. They are pure white. They grow a longer hair in the winter that is shed off naturally in the spring. Ewes and rams are naturally hornless. Breed category: hair (meat) Distribution: United States Royal White® Sheep Association Ryeland The Ryeland is a white-faced, polled (no horns), small to medium sized, down-type breed whose antecedents were developed by monks at Leominster in the rye growing district of Herefordshire, England, in the 15th Century. It was one of the breeds used to introduce the poll gene to the Dorset breed in the development of the Poll Dorset. The Ryeland breed first came to New Zealand in 1903 and later to Australia. Initially a dual purpose sheep, the breed was, in latter years, used mainly as a terminal sire. There has been a recent upsurge in interest in the Ryeland as a breed ideally suited for small farmers who want the truly all-purpose type of sheep; not too big to handle safely, docile, fertile, thrifty, and capable of providing both fine wool for hand-spinning and high quality meat for the table. Breed category: medium wool, meat Distribution: United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand Ryeland Flock Book Society

Saeftinger The Saeftinger breed originated around 1986 by crossing a Romanov ram onto Suffolk ewes. The breed takes its name from the salt meadows where it grazes. The meat from the Saeftinger is a culinary specialty. Mature ewes average 2.2 lambs per lambing; ewe lambs, 2.0. Three lamb crops in two years is common. Ewes and rams are both hornless. Breed categories: meat, short-tailed Distribution: Belgium, Netherlands Santa Cruz There is considerable uncertainty as to the exact origin of the sheep of Santa Cruz Island, even to the century in which sheep were placed there. Speculation is that Merino, Rambouillet, and perhaps some Churro figure in the Santa Cruz sheep's background, and it is certain that the sheep have been feral for the last 70 years. The Nature Conservancy acquired 88% of the island (located off the coast of southern California) during the 1970's and began an eradication program in 1980. In 1988, twelve lambs were brought off the island by a team of Nature Conservancy and ALBC volunteers and were placed with five California breeders to begin a population rebuilding effort. The Santa Cruz Island sheep breed is an important genetic resource. Its historic background, long period of isolation, and adaptation to a challenging environment have given the breed an array of characteristics not found among commercial breeds. Breed categories: feral, rare, heritage Distribution: United States Santa Inês The Santa Inês is a breed of hair sheep found in Brazil. It is generally thought to be a cross of Morada Nova, the course-wooled Italian breed, Bergamasca, and the native coarse-wooled Crioula, followed by a period of selection or evolution for absence of fleece. Colors range from red, black and white and can be spotted or solid. They have large bodies, are long-legged and have large pendulous ears and are polled. Rams do not have a throat ruff. They have a low litter size of 1.25. Mature weights of the ewes in the field fall between 40 and 50 kg. (88 to 110 lbs.), and if well fed, the rams can weigh as much as 100 kg (220 lbs). Breed categories: hair (meat), skin Distribution: South America Sardinian Sarda The Sardinian breed originated from the local lowland breed which were large, polled, and had white wool. Merino and Barbary breeding were also used in developing the breed. The males are occasionally horned and the females are polled (hornless). Sardinian sheep are primarily keep for milk production. Pecorino sarda cheese is made only from Sardinian sheep milk coming from the island of Sardinia off the coast of Italy. In Sardinia, there are more sheep than people. Breed categories: dairy, carpet wool Distribution: Europe Scotch Mule The Scotch Mule is an intentionally produced crossbred sheep out of Scottish Blackface ewes and sired by Bluefaced Leicester rams. The term "mule" (when it refers to sheep) is used for an intentionally produced crossbred sheep that is sired by a Bluefaced Leicester ram. In the United Kingdom, Mule ewes are the backbone of the commercial sheep industry. The various types of Mules are the most popular commercial ewes in the UK, and the Bluefaced Leicester is the number one crossing sire there. The advantages of the Mule as a commercial ewe are many, and the Bluefaced Leicester imparts many highly desirable qualities in his crossbred daughters. The Mule ewe will have improved maternal qualities such as early maturity, increased prolificacy, improved milk production, more capacity, in addition to hybrid vigor. [Text courtesy of Nancy Cox Starkey] Breed categories: half-breed, meat Distribution: United Kingdom Scotch Mule Association Scottish Blackface Blackface The Scottish Blackface is by far the most important blackface sheep in all of Great Britain. They are primarily used for crossing, usually with the Border or Bluefaced Leicester. They originated as a mountain sheep in Scotland, and there is a tradition that they came from a Spanish ship wrecked during the northward flight of Armada in 1588. The Scottish Blackface has a light weight fleece of long, coarse wool. Both sexes have horns. In addition to an attractive and stylish fleece, their roman nose and unusual black and white face markings set them apart in appearance. The Scottish Blackface is found in the Highlands and Borders of Scotland, Pennines, Dartmoor and Northern Ireland. They have also been exported to the United States, Italy and Argentina . Breed categories: carpet wool Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South America Blackface Sheep Breeders Association Scottish Blackface Breeders Union Scottish Greyface By using the Border Leicester ram with the Scottish Blackface ewe, the Scottish Greyface is produced. The Scottish Greyface ewe has the same purpose as other Halfbred and Mule ewes,namely to produce quality prime lamb when put to a terminal sire. As the name suggests, she has a speckled face, gray in color. The body is long, well-sprung, and evenly fleshed. The Scottish Greyface can be found in all parts of the British Isles. Breed categories: half-breed, meat Distribution: United Kingdom Shetland The Shetland's roots go back over a thousand years, probably to sheep brought to the Shetland Islands by Viking settlers. They belong to the Northern European short-tailed group of sheep, which also includes Finn sheep, Icelandic sheep, and Romanovs. The Shetland is a primitive, unimproved breed noted for its natural hardiness, lambing ease, longevity, and ability to survive under harsh conditions. It is one of the smallest breeds of sheep. Shetlands are known primarily for their production of colorful wool upon which the Shetland woolen industry is based. Shetland comes in one of the widest ranges of colors of any breed. There are 11 main colors as well as 30 markings, many still bearing their Shetland dialect names. Shetlands naturally shed their wool during late spring/early summer. Breed categories: primitive, short-tailed Distribution: United Kingdom, North America North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association Shetland Sheep Society Shetland-Cheviot From the turn of the 20th century, North Country Cheviot rams have been bred with the Shetland ewe to produce what has become locally as the Shetland-Cheviot. The hybrid vigor prdouced from the crossing the two pure breeds ensures that the Shetland-Cheviot retains the features of both. She is a hardy, thrifty, and milky with her sire's excellent conformation. Following the realization that a small ewe crossed with a large, fast growing sire could produce prime lamb very efficiently, producers outside Shetland turned to the breed, which has spread into the Orkneys, Caithness and down through Scotland. The Shetland-Cheviot's main purpose is to produce quality lamb when put to a suitable ram, usually a terminal sire. Breed categories: half-breed, medium wool Distribution: United Kingdom Shropshire Shropshires are a good, middle-of-the-road sheep, medium to large in size, with dark faces and wool on the legs. They originated in central western England in the counties of Shropshire and Stafford from native stock, Southdown, Leicester, and Cotswold crosses. First imported into the United States in 1855, until the 1930's, the Shropshire was the most popular and influential breed in the country. Called the "Ideal Farm Sheep," Shropshires were boasted to have "wool from the tip of the nose to the tip of the toes." Over the last few decades, Shropshires have evolved into a very modern and productive breed, perfect for families with youth projects. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America American Shropshire Registry Association Shropshire Sheep Breeders' Association Skudde Skuddeschaap The Skudde is a nordic, short-tailed heather sheep. Its original homeland was East Prussia and the Baltic States. Today a few small herds can be found in these areas. The most noticeable feature of the Skudde ram is the imposing snail horn. The ewes are hornless or carry horn stumps. In individual cases, it occurs that ewes carry chamois-like “hornlets.” The animals are slender, the weight of the rams lies between 35 and 50 kg (77 to 110 lbs.), that of the ewes from 25 to 40 kg (55 to 88 lbs.). The wool mixture typical of this breed consists of fine wool fibers, dispersed with short hairs and course cover hair. The colors are white, brown, black, and gray. White Skuddes have small pigment spots on the head. Lambs have a rust-colored marking in the nape of the neck and on the legs. This coloring disappears in adults. Skuddes are not kept for their meat. They are suited for pasturing more barren areas. The meat is held to be a delicacy in circles of connoisseurs. Skuddes come into heat aseasonally. Lambs are born at any time of the year. As a rule three lambings are possible in two years. Breed categories: rare, short-tail Distribution: Europe Soay The Soay has been called the only living example of the small, primitive sheep which inhabited the British Isles before the coming of the Norsemen and Romans. Their name is derived from the island of Soay off the coast of Scotland. Soays were originally imported to North America in 1974. They are a small framed sheep with a fleece that varies from light to dark brown in color and is shed naturally in the summer. Breed categories: primitive, short-tail, double-coated Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North America Soay and Boreray Sheep Society Soay Sheep Society Soay Sheep Breeders Cooperative Solognote Solognot The Solognote is an old breed that derives its name from Sologne, France, where it was developed in the 15th century. The breed was very widespread in the 1850's. It has been exported to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Morocco. The Solognote is a very rustic breed that is able to tolerate diseases and poor feeding conditions. Breed category: medium wool, rare Distribution: Europe, Africa Somali Black Head Somali, Ogaden The Somali is a hair sheep native to Somali in Africa where they are reared primarily for meat production. They are white with a black head. Both sexes are polled and the breed belongs to the fat-rumped type. Somali sheep are the immediate ancestor of the Blackheaded Persian which was developed in South Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and that has been widely used for crossbreeding in many parts of Africa and elsewhere in the tropics. Breed categories: hair (meat), fat-rump Distribution: Africa, South America South African Meat (Mutton) Merino Prime SAMM SAMMs were imported into South Africa by the Department of Agriculture from 1936 to 1974 from Germany where the Deutsche Fliesch Merino is a common meat sheep of Germany, Austria, and Poland. In South Africa, the name was translated as Duits Vleis Merinoand then into English as German Mutton Merino. In 1974, the South African Breed Society changed the name to the South African Mutton Merino. When imported into Australia in 1996, Western Australian SAMM breeders registered the name Prime SAMM, as the Australian usage of the word "'Mutton" relates to a description of extremely old and inedible sheep meat. The translation used in Australia is "South African Meat Merino." The SAMM is bred specifically to produce a slaughter lamb at an early age (35 kg/77 lbs. at 100 days of age), while still being able to produce good volumes (4 kg/8.8 lbs.) of medium to strong wool. Breed categories: Merino, dual-purpose Distribution: Worldwide Prime SAMM Breeders' Society of Australia Inc.

Southdown The Southdown takes its name from the Chalk Hills of Sussex County in extreme southeastern England where they are said to have roamed from time immemorial. They are one of the oldest sheep breeds, having contributed to the foundation stock of all other down breeds: Suffolk, Hampshire, and Oxford. Historians are not agreed as to when the first Southdowns were imported to America, but it is known that they were introduced very early in the history of the country. Governor Winthrop, early Connecticut governor is said to have acquired a flock of Southdown ewes in 1648. Southdowns adapt well to intensive management, pass their superb conformation onto their offspring, and can thrive and maintain flesh where many other breeds would virtually starve. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Worldwide American Southdown Breeders' Association Southdown Sheep Society Southdown Sheep Society of New Zealand Southdown Australia South Suffolk The South Suffolk is a fixed cross between the Suffolk and Southdown breeds. It is a large, comparatively heavy meat breed of sheep. Rams are for use as terminal sires, used in cross breeding for early prime lamb production. South Suffolks can be found in most states of Australia and in New Zealand, where the breed originated. The wool is of the fine Downs type and measures 24 to 26 micron in fiber diameter. Fertility levels are high. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Australia, New Zealand South Wales Mountain South Welsh Mountain sheep have been reared on the harsh hill pastures of South Wales for centuries. Their ability to thrive where lesser breeds have failed has ensured their predominance in the area. They are a dual purpose breed. They are similar in appearance to other Welsh Mountain breeds, and rams are frequently used to improve the size and conformation of the other Welsh Mountain breeds. When crossed with a Suffolk ram, the South Wales Mountain ewe produces ewe lambs that are much sought after as lowland breeding ewes, being hardy, prolific and good milkers with strong conformation. Their fleece is dense with an even mixture of white kempy fiber. Breed categories: dual-purpose, hill Distribution: United Kingdom Spanish Merino Merina A number of sheep breeding nations, including Phoenicia, Italy, and Spain, are believed to have played a part in the development of the Merino sheep. However, it is generally agreed upon that the Moors, who dominated Spain through the eighth to thirteenth centuries, were primarily responsible for selectively breeding the animals to such an extent that the wool they produced became superior to that of all other sheep. Indeed, the word Merino may be of Moorish origin, possibly evolving from their word for a judge that settled disagreements about flocks between shepherds. By the eighteenth century, Merino wool was considered so luxurious and valuable only the sovereign of Spain was permitted to send Merino sheep out of the country, which he occasionally conveyed as gifts. The Merino fleece sits at the top of the grading charts for fineness; it is the standard against which all others are measured. Merino sheep are also noted for their hardiness and their herding instincts and have been used as parents of several other breeds, notably the Rambouillet of France. Breed categories: fine wool Distribution: Worldwide Spael sheep Norsk Spael Sheep, Spælsau The Norwegian Spael sheep is named after the short, nearly wool-less tail (spælen). It originates from the old Norwegian landrace of sheep. In 1912, two breeding stations were established to prevent extinction of the breed. Icelandic sheep were crossed onto the Spael sheep through semen import in the 1960's and 1970's. Finnsheep and Faeroe Island sheep were also used in the breeding of Spael sheep. The sheep are most commonly white, but there are also black, brown, grey and blue-grey animals and various forms of piebald are found. Most animals are polled, with about 10% occurrence of horned in both sexes. The wool is double coated, with mean fiber diameter 31.5 micron of underwool and 57.1 micron of outer hair/wool is used for many different products and woolskins and nappa leather are made out of the pelts. Breed categories: Swedish landrace, short-tailed, double-coated Distribution: Northern Europe St. Croix Virgin Island White The St. Croix is a hair sheep that originated in the Virgin Islands, where it is called the "Virgin Island White." The breed is believed to have descended from the hair sheep of West Africa, but some feel it is a cross of the Wiltshire Horn and the native Criollo. Most of these sheep are white with some solid tan, brown, black or white with brown or black spots. Both sexes are polled, and rams have a large throat ruff. Exceptional parasite resistance compared to British sheep breeds has been documented in studies at several universities. The St. Croix is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: hair (meat), parasite resistant Distribution: Caribbean, North America St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders Association Steinschaf Pecora della Roccia or del Sasso, Tiroler Steinschaf The Steinschaf is a direct descendent of the now extinct Zaupelschaf. It had developed characteristics that made it perfect for life in the high mountains in the Eastern Alpine regions. In the beginning of the 20th century the Steinschaf still roamed the meadows of Bavaria, Germany, especially the areas around Berchtesgaden, Traunstein, and Rosenheim. In Austria, its range was mainly in the Salzburg area .The original Steinschaf used to be a dual-coated, small, and wiry high mountain sheep, weighing 28 to 30 kg (62 to 66 lbs.). It was bred twice a year and it had 20-70 % twins. The modern Steinschaf is a robust, small to medium-sized sheep with a coarse, dual-coated fleece, that can be of all colors and markings. It would benefit the breed if it could be kept exclusively on high alpine meadows, in order to retain its excellent characteristics. Breed categories: double-coated Distribution: Germany, Austria, Italy Das Alpine Steinschafe Suffolk Suffolks are found throughout the world's sheep producing countries. In the United States, they are by far the most popular pure breed of sheep, accounting for more than fifty percent of purebred sheep registrations. In the British Isles, they are the leading terminal sire breed. The Suffolk breed originated almost 200 years ago on the rugged southeastern coast of England, the result of crossing Southdown rams and Norfolk Horn ewes. Originally, they were called Southdown Norfolks or just "Black faces." The first Suffolks were brought to the United States in 1888, but it wasn't until after the second World War when the sheep industry moved towards a larger, meatier, open faced sheep that Suffolks gained in prominence. They are a large breed with a distinctive all-black head and legs that are free of wool. Suffolk lambs grow faster than any other breed and yield heavy, high cutability carcasses of the type demanded by today's health conscience consumers. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Worldwide United Suffolk Sheep Association Suffolk Sheep Society Suffolk Sheep Society of Australia Swaledale The breed's origin almost certainly emerged from the genetic group of horned sheep from which also came the Blackface, the Rough Fell, and other localized types. Slowly over time a "Swaledale" breed type emerged from within these horned sheep .The Swaledale can now be found in both the hills and lowlands of Britain, producing both pure bred and the well-known North of England Mule (a Blue Faced Leicester cross). The Swaledale has proven itself to be a bold hardy sheep, well-fitted to endure the hardships of exposed and high lying situations. Wool is medium. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: United Kingdom Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association Swifter The Swifter is a new, highly productive sheep breed, which was developed in the 1970's by the Agricultural University in Wageningen, the Netherlands, to increase the productivity of the Dutch sheep stock. Swifters are used as dams for slaughter lambs. The Swifter is a product of a cross between the Texel and Flemish breeds. To obtain excellent, fast-growing lambs for slaughter, the Swifter ewe is tupped by a ram for slaughter lamb production: the Charollais, the Suffolk, or the Texel. Pedigree Swifters produce 2.5 lambs per lambing on average. 80 percent of ewes give birth to two or more lambs in their first year. Births are virtually always without problems. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom Swifter Sheep Herdbook Swiss Black-Brown Mountain Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf, Gebirgsschaf, Brun-Noir du Pays (BNP), Pecora giurassiana, Juraschaf The Swiss Black-Brown Mountain originates from the ancient Swiss breeds Jura, Simmentaler, Saanen, Frutiger, Roux de Bagnes and Freiburger. It is a polled, medium-sized sheep, deep, and broad. The coat color is either black, chestnut colored, or light brown. Head and legs are clear of wool, covered with short black or brown hairs. The fleece of the Swiss Black-Brown Mountain is of single-color, thick, and close-cropped. Due to the Merino ancestry, the wool is fine and strong and is remarkable for its strength and elasticity. No kemp or white fibers are allowed. The ewes lamb quite often twice a year and have 1.7 lambs on average, thus making them an ideal mother race for crossings with meat producing rams. Swiss Black-Brown Mountain lambs, both purebred or crossbred, kill out significantly better than the Tyrol Mountain. Their bone is light, with a commendable meat to bone ratio. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany Swiss White Alpine Weißes Alpenschaf, Blanc des Alpes, West Swiss White The Swiss White Alpine is a short-wooled breed kept primarily for meat. The breed originated in Switzerland in 1936 from a cross between the Swiss White Mountain and 50 to 75 percent Ile-de-France. Breed category: meat, medium wool Distribution: Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany

Tan Tan sheep are famous for their fur with long curled hair. The wool of Tan sheep is soft, light and puffy, with long and even fiber, suitable for making high-grade blankets, shawls and scarves. Tan sheep are raised in the desert and semi-desert regions of China. Breed categories: fur, meat Distribution: China Targhee The Targhee is one of America's youngest breeds. It was developed in 1926 at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, from Rambouillet, Columbia and Corriedale crosses. The Targhee derives its name from the Targhee National Forest on which the experiment station's flock grazes in the summer. The forest was named for a chief of the Bannock Indians who had lived in the area in the 1860's. The Targhee is a dual-purpose sheep with good meat type and a heavy fleece of high quality wool. They are especially popular in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, where their ¾ fine wool and ¼ long wool breeding is favored by western ranchers. Breed categories: crossbred wool, dual-purpose Distribution: North America US Targhee Sheep Association Teeswater Teeswater, a longwool sheep from Teesdale in the County of Durham, located in Northern England, have for almost 200 years been bred by farmers in that area of the north. Until the 1920's, the breed was comparatively rare, but now they are to be found in almost every part of the U.K. Their wool should be fine long-stapled lustre wool with each lock hanging free and with no tendancy to mattiness. There should be no dark fibers in the fleece, which should be uniform in texture over the whole body. The Teeswater produces a kemp free fleece, a characteristic it passes on. Breed category: long wool Distribution: United Kingdom, North America American Teeswater Sheep Association Teeswater Sheep Society Teeswater Sheepbreeders' Association Texas Dall The Texas Dall has no relation to the Alaskan Dall. It is a hybrid, a cross between domestic sheep (Rambouillet and Barbados Blackbelly) and the European Mouflon. Although most are white, they can range in color from white to blond or pale champagne. Some even have spotted markings, usually fawn in color. Their horns are large and spectacular. They are raised primarily for trophy hunting. Breed categories: hair, exotic Distribution: United States United Horned Hair Sheep Association Texel The Texel originated on the Isle of Texel off the coast of the Netherlands early in the nineteenth century. They became available to U.S. sheep producers in 1990 when they were released from quarantine at the US Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, where they were evaluated for their potential in crossbred lamb production. The most outstanding characteristics of the Texel are its remarkable muscle development and leanness. Texel-sired lambs show an advantage of one full leg score in breed comparisons and less total carcass fat—especially seam fat. The Texel has become the dominant terminal-sire breed in Europe and is gaining popularity as a sire breed in the United States. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: Worldwide Texel Sheep Breeders Society British Texel Sheep Society Irish Texel Sheep Society Texel Sheep Netherlands Australian Texel Stud Breeders Association Tong Tong sheep originate from Mongolian sheep. They are able to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions and are found in the high plains of the northern Shaaxi Province of China, where the average temperature is 13°C and annual precipitation is 520 to 600 mm (20 to 24 in). Their wool is carpet wool. Wool production is low. Tong sheep have the ability to deposit fat in the tail. Tong lambs have beautiful curls that look like pearls. Coats made from the pelts provide warmth with light weight. Breed categories: fat-tail, meat, carpet wool Distribution: China Tsigai Cigája Tsigai sheep originated in Southeast Europe, where they are raised for meat and milk. There are many variations of the breed. Some Tisigai populations have been improved by Merino and British meat breeds. Tsigai sheep have long tails. They are good meat and milk producers. Breed categories: dual-purpose, medium wool Distribution: Eastern and Central Europe Tukidale Technically, the Tukidale is a not a new breed of sheep, but rather a Romney sheep carrying the T gene for hair. The breed originated on M.W. Coop's property in New Zealand from a ram born November 26, 1966. The ram possesed the T gene, which is dominant. The T gene is responsible not only for producing the specialty carpet-type fleece, but also the formation of horns in the in the male and, to a lesser extent in females. Tukidale sheep are easy care sheep of good conformation and high fertility, with carcass acceptability. High fleece weight with a diameter in the range of 35 to 45 microns, with a high percentage of medullated fibers. They have an extremely fast rate of wool growth, resulting in two wool clips per year at a premium price. Breed category: carpet wool, dual-purpose Distribution: New Zealand, Australia Tunis The Tunis is one of the oldest sheep breeds, said to have roamed the hills of Tunis and parts of Algeria in North Africa prior to the Christian era. The American Tunis evolved from a number of importations of fat-tailed sheep from Africa and the Middle East that were crossed with established European breeds to improve the breed's meat characteristics. The earliest documented importation occurred in 1799, a gift to the U.S. from the ruler of Tunisia and entrusted to the care of Judge Richard Peters of Pennsylvania. One of the largest advocates of the Tunis breed was Thomas Jefferson, who owned a fairly large flock. The breed could have been a major breed in this country if most of the southern flocks had not been destroyed during the Civil War. Tunis are a unique looking breed with an unusual color of reddish tan hair covering their legs, faces and long pendulous ears and minor fat deposits over the dock area. The Tunis is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution: North America National Tunis Sheep Registry, Inc. Turki Afghanistan is home to many of Central Asia's most unique breeds of sheep that are particularly well-adapted to the local conditions and highly valuable commercially. The most notable is the largest breed of fat-rumped sheep, the Turki. The Turki has two distinct camel humps of fat on their behinds. They have a high growth rate and are a good producer of mutton, but are not a good wool producer. They are raised mostly in the northeastern parts of Afghanistan. Turki sheep accompany refugees to neighboring Pakistan where the breed is recognized as Afghani sheep. Breed categories: fat-tailed, carpet wool Distribution: Central Asia Tyrol Mountain Lop Eared Alpine Tyrol, Tiroler Bergschaf, Pecora Alpina Tirolese This breed is found in Tyrol of Austria and Bolzano of Italy. It is a coarse wooled breed, belonging to the Lop-eared Alpine group, which is kept for meat production. The Tyrol Mountain is similar to the Carinthian but has better wool, a white face and longer ears. The breed is also occasionally pied or black. Both sexes are polled. The Tyrol Mountain originated from Bergamasca, Steinschaf, and Spiegel variety of Carinthian. Breed categories: meat, coarse wool Distribution: Austria, Italy, Germany, Switzerland

UjumqinThe Ujumqin, a larger version of the Mongolian, is found in Inner Mongolia, China. It has a fat tail 28 cm (11.2 in) long by 36 cm (14.4 in) wide in the male, and 22 cm long by 28 cm (8.8 in) wide in the female. When dressed, the tail fat weighs 2 kg (4.4 lbs) or more. The Ujumqin was developed due to the sharp seasonal contrast in plant growth in the pastoral areas.The sheep tend to deposit a large amount of fat in the body in order to meet nutritional demands during winter and spring. They are adapted to the unfavorable local environmental conditions of the North and Northwest Pastoral Grasslands. The Ujumqin have the ability to deposit fat in the tail. Wool is coarse and production is low, with an annual grease fleece weight of only about 1 kg (2.2 lbs).Breed categories: fat-tail, meat, carpet woolDistribution: ChinaUltraWhiteThe UltraWhite is a new breed developed in 2005 at Hillcroft Farms in Western Australia. It is a precise cross between Polled Dorset ewes and White Dorper rams. It took 9 years of selective breeding to stabilize traits. The UltraWhite is an easy care breed that naturally sheds its winter coat. It is a high performance breed with mandatory performance testing. It is considered a maternal and terminal breed.Breed categories: hair (shedding), meat Distribution: AustraliaUltraWhite Sheep Breeders Association of Australia, Inc.ValachianWalachenschaf The Valachian is a highly endangered landrace sheep. Presently, the only breeding done in Germany is strictly for preservation and only animals that show malformations are not bred on. The Valachian is dual-coated with coarse, mostly white wool that reaches the ground; gray and black are rare.Rams often have Roman noses and look imposing with their spiraling horns of up to one meter, that stick out sideways. Ewes sometimes have corkscrew-like, fine horns.The breed is extremely shy, high-spirited, alert, and loyal to its territory, nearly exhibiting the character of a wild animal. It is remarkably hardy and frugal and can withstand extreme cold, high precipitation, as well as drought. Breed category: landrace, rare, double-coatedDistribution: EuropeValais BlacknoseWalliser Schwarznasenschaf The Valais Blacknose sheep originate in the Valais region of Switzerland. They are a dual-purpose breed, raised for meat and wool. The black patches on its nose, eyes, ears, knees, hocks and feet and otherwise light woolly coats make them quite unmistakable. They are a heritage breed, well-suited to living in the extreme climatic conditions of the high mountains. They are good at grazing steep, rocky slopes. Both sexes are horned. The earliest mention of the breed dates back to 1400 AD, but they were first recognized as a separate breed in 1962.Breed categories: Carpet wool, meat, noveltyDistribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North AmericaValais Blacknose Sheep SocietyValais Blacknose Sheep Society of North America Valais Blacknose SocietyVan RooyIn 1906, Senator J. C. van Rooy, of the farm Koppieskraal in the Bethulie district, started his experiments to propagate a breed of sheep for slaughter lamb production: The requirements he set for this breed, were threefold: 1) The breed had to be strong and hardy to cope with regular droughts; 2) It had to be fertile in order to maintain a high percentage of production; It had to have an excellent conformation.With these aims in mind he made use of a white "Blinkhaar Afrikaner" ram and eighty Rambouillet ewes. With the progeny of these the principle of inbreeding, coupled with severe selection, was applied. Later on, a polled Wensleydale ram was introduced in an effort to improve conformation. The present day Van Rooy sheep is still run mostly in the arid areas where survival and reproduction on natural grazing are essential for the economic production of meat.Breed categories: hair (meat), fat-tailedDistribution: South Africa, AustraliaVan Rooy Sheep Breeders AssociationVlaams schaapFlemish Sheep The Vlaams schaap originated in Belgium during the late middle ages. It is sometimes confused with the Belgium Milk Sheep. After the Second World War all native milk sheep were amalgamated to the Belgian milk sheep and the Flemish sheep almost entirely disappeared. In the Netherlands, the Flemish sheep was used in the development of the Swifter. They are a large breed, milky and fertile. They can easily raise three lambs. Their white wool is long and curly at the ends.Breed category: multi-purpose, rareDistribution: EuropeVendéen The Vendéen were developed near Vendée in western France. The breed was developed using Southdown rams, imported during the late nineteenth century, on local ewes. The breed is noted for the production of high quality lamb carcasses. Their face and legs are covered with dark brown to gray hair. Both sexes are polled. Comparisons in performance between the Vendéen and the Texel showed the Vendéen having larger litter size, older at sexual maturity, and a longer lambing interval. The two breeds are relatively equal in muscularity. The Vendéen exhibited a lower wool yield, daily gain, carcass leanness, and milk yield.Breed category: meat, medium woolDistribution: United Kingdom, EuropeIrish Vendéen Sheep SocietyVoskopArdense VoskopThe Voskop (Fox Head) descends from Ardense sheep which were brought to the better Flemish meadows for fattening. They are a sheep of average size. Rams weigh between 70 and 80 kg (154 to 176 lbs.); ewes between 55 and 70 kg (121 to 154 lbs.). Ewes wean on average 1.7 lambs. Their wool is pale brown without spotting. They are a hardy sheep, able to withstand both dryness and dampness and cold. They produce meat of excellent quality and taste.Breed category: meat, rareDistribution: Europe

Welsh MountainThe Welsh Mountain breed has survived for centuries in the harsh environment of its natural habitat, where high rainfall and freezing winter temperatures make it impossible for anything other than the hardiest and fittest to survive. The breed was developed to survive in such a harsh environment and breeders gave the highest priority to factors such as hardiness, milkiness, mothering ability, and lamb survival.Welsh lamb's preeminence for quality and taste was built upon lamb from the Welsh Mountain breed. The inherent characteristics of the Welsh Mountain sheep are transmitted to its crosses: Welsh Half-bred, Welsh Mules, and Welsh Bleus.Breed category: hill, longwoolDistribution: United KingdomWelsh Mountain Sheep SocietyWelsh MuleThe Welsh Mule is the progeny of registered Bluefaced Leicester rams crossed with ewes of one of three hardy hill breeds from Mid and North Wales -- the Welsh Mountain, Welsh Hill Speckled Face and Beulah -- all having the reputation for being healthy, hardy, good foragers with exceptional mothering qualities.The Welsh Mule hybrid was developed in the 1970s to satisfy the demand from prime lamb producers for a prolific ewe with good growth potential, good milking capacity, and when crossed with modern breeds of meat sires, the ability to produce prime quality, long lean-finished lambs. Facial coloration varies from white to a dark mottled or speckled, depending upon breeding.Breed category: half-breedDistribution: United KingdomWelsh Mule Sheep Breeders AssociationWensleydaleThe Wensleydale is a large longwool sheep with a distinctive deep blue head, ears and legs. The breed originated in North Yorkshire, England during the 19th century and was developed primarily to provide rams for crossing onto the hill ewe. The breed's greatest attribute is the quality and quantity of curly wool each sheep produces.Wool from the Wensleydale is acknowledged as the finest luster long wool in the world. The fleece from a purebred sheep is considered kemp free. The breed is widespread throughout the United Kingdom, with some small flocks in Holland, France, and Denmark. A "breeding up" program is developing in the USA, using Wensleydale ram sperm in English Leicester, Lincoln, and Cotswold ewes and their female progeny.Breed categories: long wool, dual-purposeDistribution: United Kingdom, Europe, North AmericaNorth American Wensleydale Sheep AssociationWensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders' Association West AfricanRed African, Rojo Africaa, Africana The West African is found in Colombia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean. They are usually brown, ranging in shade from tan to brown and cherry-red to dark red. They are very similar to the Pelibüey in size and confirmation. The breed is polled and the male is sometimes maned.Breed categories: hair (meat)Distribution: Caribbean, South AmericaWhitefaced DartmoorThere have been Whitefaced Dartmoors on the Moor since they earliest records. They are also found on parts of Exmoor. The ewes are renowned for crossing to produce a halfbred ewe capable of producing a prime lamb when put to a terminal sire ram. The Whitefaced Dartmoor is very hardy and can thrive on the very poorest pasture. They were always horned, but this feature has tended to disappear over the years. The wool is white, of good staple, and with a fairly strong crimp. Breed categories: coarse woolDistribution: United KingdomWhitefaced Dartmoor Sheep Breeders AssociationWhitefaced WoodlandThe Whitefaced Woodland originated in the South Pennines of England. It is also known as Penistone after the Yorkshire town where sheep sales have been held since 1699. It is thought to be closely related to the Swaledale and the Lonk. One of the larger of the English hill breeds, the breed has no wool free, white, face and legs. Both sexes are horned and the horns in the males are heavily spiraled.Breed categories: medium wool, meat, hillDistribution: United Kingdom Whitefaced Woodland Sheep Society White Horned Heath Weiße Gehörnte Heidschnucke The White Horned Heath originated from the Grey Horned Heath Sheep and was first developed as a separate breed at the beginning of the 20th century. Originally herds consisted of both horned and polled animals. A few years later they were divided into two breeds, the polled called White Polled Heath or Moorschnucke.Since 1949, the White Horned Heath has been recognized as a new race. The origin is in the heath areas in northern Germany. It is a small landrace breed which can be used to preserve heath and moor areas. It's always pure white, both sexes are horned, the meat is of very high quality and tastes like venison. Breed category: landrace, rare, double-coatedDistribution: Europe White MountainWeißes Bergschaf The German Mountain breed is found in the Bavarian Alps and Pre-alps of southern Germany. The breed was developed by grading local breeds to Bergamasca and Tyrol Mountain. It is a coarse to medium wooled breed and is polled. Breed category: dual-purpose, coarse woolDistribution: EuropeWhite Polled HeathMoorschnucke, Weiße gehörnte Heidschnucke The origin of the hardy and frugal breed is northern German counties of Diepholz, Nienburg, Rotenburg. The White Polled Heath is a white, dual-coated, graceful landrace with a small frame. The slender head has small ears that stick out to the side. Both sexes are hornless and have light-colored, hard hoofs. They mature slowly. The decline of this heath-sheep breed started when it did not pay anymore to take the flocks grazing on the moors. It took the involvement of nature protectors and breeders to save the breed from extinction. Breed category: landrace, rare, double-coatedDistribution: EuropeWhite SuffolkBeginning in 1977, Dr. Ewan Roberts of the University of New South Wales in Australia started a breeding program to develop a terminal sire breed of sheep. His goals were to have a breed with the confirmation, structure, and growth of the Suffolk, but with a white head and legs. The initial cross was between Suffolk and Polled Dorset and separately Suffolk crossed with Border Leicester. The F2 and subsequent generations were selected against black points and for increased gain.The White Suffolk has similar features to the Suffolk, however, instead of dark points the White Suffolk has a white face and legs. Breed categories: medium wool, meatDistribution: Australia, New Zealand Australian White Suffolk Sheep AssociationWiltipollThe Wiltipoll is a new breed of sheep, recently developed in Australia from the Wiltshire Horn. It is a polled sheep that is bred for the production of prime lamb only. Its short white fleece is shed annually, from Spring to Summer, where it falls to the ground and is of no commercial value. The absence of horns has been achieved by the infusion of blood from the Border Leicester, Poll Dorset, and Polled Merino breeds.Wiltipoll/Merino cross lambs, off grass at 10 months of age, regularly reach weights of 25 to 30 kgs (55-66 lbs.) dressed, without developing fat, as do other British Breed lambs. Breed categories: hair (meat)Distribution: AustraliaWiltipoll Sheep Breeders AssociationWiltshire HornThe Wiltshire Horn is an ancient British breed from the Chalk Downs region of England. Reaching large numbers during the 17th and 18th centuries, they became almost extinct by the beginning of the 20th. They are currently attracting attention for their lack of wool and the need for shearing, as well as their ability to pass on their vitality and quality meat in a cross-breeding program. Both rams and ewes are horned. The Wiltshire Horn is classified as a "rare" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed category: hair (meat), rareDistribution: WorldwideWiltshire Horn Sheep Society Australian Wiltshire Horn Sheepbreeders' AssociationWrzosówka Polish Heath The Wrzosówka belongs to the Northern type of short-tailed sheep which have been kept for centuries in different regions of Europe, including Northeastern parts of Poland. It is unique among Polish sheep breeds, since it is extremely adaptable to difficult conditions, disease-resistant, and prolific. It is able to reproduce all year round.The Wrzosówka is rather thin and small, proportionally built. The fleece is usually consists of two layers: down and medullated hair. Its skins are used for fur coat production. Ewes are usually polled, while rams have widely set black horns. The Wrzosówka is the only surviving primitive sheep breed in Poland. A conservation program was started in 1981.Breed categories: primitive, rare, short-tailed, furDistribution: Poland

Xinjiang Fine Wool (pronounce as "Shin-Jang") Xinjiang Merino The Xinjiang Finewool was among the first of the Chinese breeds and it has played a part in the establishment of some other breeds. The original crosses were between Russian Merino rams, probably of the Caucasian, Precoce, and Stravrapol types, with local breeds of ewe. The most important of these breeds was the Kazakh, but some Mongolian ewes were also used. There followed a program of backcrossing to the Merino parent, with some interbreeding and selection. Australian rams were used to a limited extend during the 1970s in the development of the Xinjiang breed. The Xinjiang Finewool is a dual-purpose sheep with emphasis placed on wool production and body weight. Breed categories: fine-wool, dual-purpose Distribution: China Zel The Zel is the only non fat-tailed sheep in Iran. It originates in the Mazandaran province. There is a theory that Zel sheep are descendants of the sheep that Aryan people raised (in Iran) several thousands of years ago. They were called Aryan sheep. The Zel is of the northern short-tail variety of sheep. As other breeds in Iran, they are a carpet wool breed. They occur in different color variations: white, black, brown, gray, and pied. Rams have hard and turned horns. Ewes are often, but not always polled. The mature weight of ewes is 77 to 99 lbs; rams, 110 to 143 lbs. Zel sheep are raised for both meat and milk. Their average fleece weight is 3.74 lbs. Zel ewes breed in both spring and autumn. Their average twinning rate is 15 percent. Breed categories: carpet wool, short-tailed Distribution: Iran Special thanks to Morteza Moradi Divkolaie for providing information and images. Zwartbles Since the beginning of the last century, dairy farmers in the Friesland region of Holland have kept Zwartbles Sheep, a strikingly handsome black sheep with a distinctive white blaze and 2 to 4 white "socks." Friesland lies in the North of Holland, and these beautiful and elegant sheep serve as dual purpose animals - meat and milk. Due to changes in farming practices, numbers of Zwartbles in Holland became severely reduced until the breed was adopted by the Dutch Rare Breed Survival trust in the mid-1970s. In the last few years, a small number of Zwartbles sheep have been imported by enthusiasts to Great Britain. There are now 147 registered Zwartbles flocks (a total of about 3,500 sheep) spread throughout the UK, and they are well able to cope with the lowland and mid-altitude conditions in England, Wales, and Scotland. Picture link Breed categories: rare, dual purpose (meat and milk) Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe Zwartbles Sheep Association Nederlands Zwartbles Schapenstamboek