The Breeds of Sheep

By: Hayley Wilson

The Breeds of Sheep

Different Classifications of SheepFine WoolLong Wool MeatHair

Fine Wool Sheep

American CormoOriginated in Tasmania

from ¼ Lincoln, ¼ Australian Merino, ½ Superfine Saxon Merino

Introduced to the U.S. in 1976

They have open-faces and are hardy and adaptable to harsh climatic conditions.

Produce white, long stapled, high yielding fine wool.

Facts about the American CormoMature Body weight:

Ram- 160-200 lbs Ewe:- 120-160 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 5-8 lbs

Yield: 50-65%

DebouilletCross between a

Delaine Merino and a Rambouillet.

White Faced with wool on the legs

Very hardy and can lamb unassisted under range conditions.

Also have a well developed flocking instinct.

Facts about the DebouilletMature Body Weight:

Ram: 220-275 lbs Ewe: 125- 150 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 9 ½- 14 lbs

Yield: 45-55%

Delaine-MerinoDeveloped from the

Spanish Merino.They are smooth

bodied, intermediate in size with wool going down the legs.

They are hardy, long-lived with a well developed flock instinct.

Suited well to hill country locations

Facts about the Delaine-MerinoMature Body Weight:

Ram: 190-240 lbs Ewe: 125-160 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 9-14 lbs

Yield: 45-54%

RambouilletDeveloped from Spanish

Merino This breed is the

foundation of the U.S. range flocks.

Largest of fine wool breeds

Rugged and very adaptable

Has extended breeding season and produces a high quality, fine wool fleece

Facts about the RambouilletMature Body Weight:

Ram: 200-300 lbs Ewe: 140-180 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 10-15 lbs

Yield: 45-55%

Long Wool Sheep

LincolnOriginated in England

and was imported into the U.S. in 1825.

A large, deep bodied sheep with a large frame.

Sturdy and fully wooled except for the lower part of the front legs

Polled with a bluish-white face and forward pointing ears

Facts about the LincolnMature Body Weight:

Ram: 240-300 lbs Ewe: 200-250 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 12-16 lbs

Yield: 55-70%

PerendaleOriginated in New

Zealand.They are an open

faced, medium framed breed.

Were developed as an easy care sheep.

They are both hardy and highly adapted to marginal forage-producing areas.

Facts about the PerendaleMature Body Weight:

Ram: 220-260 lbs Ewe: 120-150 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 8 lbs

Yield: 60-70%

RomneyDeveloped in England

in the Romney Marsh region to withstand the cold and wet conditions

Was imported into the U.S. in 1904.

Medium sized, white faced with wool on the legs.

They are good mothers with milking ability

Facts about the RomneyMature Body Weight:

Ram: 200-275 lbs Ewe: 150- 200 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 10-18 lbs

Yield: 55-70%

WensleydaleOriginated in the

United Kingdom. Just recently was introduced into the U.S.

Is a very large, prolific long-wool sheep.

Facts about the WensleydaleMature Body Weight:

Ewe: 200+Grease Fleece

Weight: 16-20 lbsYeild: N/A

Meat Sheep

DorsetOriginated in Southern

England, and was imported into the U.S. in 1885

Medium sized, white faced, and has wool down the legs

Noted for their aseasonal breeding.

Ewes are prolific, heavy milkers, long lived and produced hardy lambs with moderate growth and maturity

Facts about the DorsetMature Body Weight:

Ram: 225-275 lbs Ewe: 150-200 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 5-8 lbs

Yield: 50-65%

HampshireIs widely used in the

U.S. for commercial lamb production.

They are a large, moderately prolific with wool caps, black faces, and medium wool fleeced.

Very good milking ability, growth and carcass cutability

Facts about the HampshireMature Body weight:

Ram: 250-350 lbs Ewe: 175-250 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 6-10 lbs

Yeild: 50-60%

ShropshireOriginated in

England with was brought into the U.S. in 1855.

Medium to large framed with a dark face and wool down the legs

Lambs are hardy, fast growing and produce lean, well muscled carcasses

Facts about the ShropshireMature Body Weight:

Ram: 225-290 lbs Ewe: 170-200 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 6-10 lbs

Yield: 50-60%

SuffolkWas brought to the

U.S. in 1888.The largest breed in

the U.S. Has a bare and black

head and legsIs prolific and a good

milker, so lambs grow rapidly.

Facts about the SuffolkMature Body Weight:

Ram: 275-400 lbs Ewe: 200-300 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 4-8 lbs

Yield: 50-60%

SouthdownOne of the oldest sheep

breeds. Imported to the U.S. in

1803Is a small to medium

sized breed with a light brown face and wool down the legs.

They are early maturing and adaptable to live in almost any climate

Facts about the SouthdownMature Body Weight:

Ram: 180-230 lbs Ewe: 120-180 lbs

Grease Fleece Weight: 5-8 lbs

Yield: 40-55%

Hair Sheep

DorperWas developed in the

early 1900’s in South Africa.

They are solid white, or white with black heads.

They are hardy and adaptable to almost any climate

Non selective grazers Lambs have rapid

growth and early maturity

Facts about the DorperMaturity Body

Weight: Ram: 220-250 lbs Ewe: 170-200 lbs

Are There Any Questions?

1. What breed is known for their aseasonal breeding?

2. Which breed was just recently introduced into the U.S.?

3. Which breed is the largest breed in the U.S.?

Review Questions