A FEW SELECTED A FEW SELECTED BREEDS OF BREEDS OF SHEEP SHEEP Stephen R Schafer, EdD …… 2008 …… University of Stephen R Schafer, EdD …… 2008 …… University of Nevada-Reno Nevada-Reno
A FEW SELECTEDA FEW SELECTEDBREEDS OFBREEDS OF
SHEEPSHEEP
Stephen R Schafer, EdD …… 2008 …… University of Nevada-RenoStephen R Schafer, EdD …… 2008 …… University of Nevada-Reno
Partially Funded ByPartially Funded By
Ag Council of Nevada4 Hall LaneYerington, NV 89447
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Information SourcesInformation Sources
Auburn UniversityAuburn University (Sheep Identification)(Sheep Identification)
National 4-H/4HCCSNational 4-H/4HCCS (4-H Sheep Manuals)(4-H Sheep Manuals)
Ohio State UniversityOhio State University (Sheep Resource Handbook)(Sheep Resource Handbook)
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma State University (Sheep Breed Ident)(Sheep Breed Ident)
University of KentuckyUniversity of Kentucky (Agripedia)(Agripedia)
University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland (Sheep & Goat Breeds) (Sheep & Goat Breeds)
University of WyomingUniversity of Wyoming (4-H Sheep Manuals)(4-H Sheep Manuals)
WikipediaWikipedia {internet site}{internet site} (Internet Encyclopedia)(Internet Encyclopedia)
TYPICAL OR COMMONTYPICAL OR COMMONBREEDS OF SHEEPBREEDS OF SHEEP
AuthorAuthorDr. Steve Schafer, University of Nevada-RenoDr. Steve Schafer, University of Nevada-Reno
ReviewersReviewersMr. Ron Cunningham, University of WyomingMr. Ron Cunningham, University of WyomingDr. Terry Dumas, Louisiana State UniversityDr. Terry Dumas, Louisiana State UniversityDr. Susan Kerr, Washington State UniversityDr. Susan Kerr, Washington State University
BarbadoBarbadoOriginated in TexasOriginated in Texas
Tan, tan with pale belly, Tan, tan with pale belly, tan with black belly, or tan with black belly, or pied are most common pied are most common color/color patterncolor/color pattern
Face is light/white coloredFace is light/white colored
Females are polledFemales are polled
Males have large horns Males have large horns that curl that curl && sweep sweep
Due to distinctive horns, Due to distinctive horns, used as trophy animal used as trophy animal on big game rancheson big game ranches
Photo: Lynn Magedson
California RedCalifornia RedOriginated in CaliforniaOriginated in California
Beige/oatmeal color woolBeige/oatmeal color wool
Legs, face, forehead, poll, Legs, face, forehead, poll, && around ears (to under around ears (to under jaw/throat) is wool freejaw/throat) is wool free
Wool-free areas are red in Wool-free areas are red in color, the area around color, the area around nose/mouth is whitishnose/mouth is whitish
Both sexes are polledBoth sexes are polled
Medium size, meat sheepMedium size, meat sheepPhoto: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
CheviotCheviotOriginated in the hills of Originated in the hills of
England England && Scotland Scotland
Wool-free face Wool-free face && legs legs
White face White face && legs legs
Black nose/muzzle Black nose/muzzle & & feet, feet, dark eyes, dark eyes, && erect ears; erect ears; give it a distinct, perky, give it a distinct, perky, && stylish appearance stylish appearance
Hardy, easy lambing, good Hardy, easy lambing, good mothers, mothers, && fast maturity fast maturity
A smaller breed of sheepA smaller breed of sheepPhoto: Unknown Source
ColumbiaColumbiaOriginated in US, by US Originated in US, by US
Dept of Agriculture Dept of Agriculture (Wyoming (Wyoming && Idaho) Idaho)
It is all white; with light It is all white; with light pigmentation of nose, pigmentation of nose, muzzle, mouth, muzzle, mouth, & & earsears
Has wool on legs Has wool on legs && poll poll
Developed for range, but Developed for range, but have proven adaptable have proven adaptable to pastures to pastures & & grassesgrasses
A large breed of sheepA large breed of sheepPhoto: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
CorriedaleCorriedale
Originated in Australia Originated in Australia && New ZealandNew Zealand
It is all white; with dark It is all white; with dark pigmentation of nose, pigmentation of nose, muzzle, muzzle, && mouth mouth
Has wool on legs Has wool on legs && poll poll
It is a polled sheep breedIt is a polled sheep breed
It’s a dual-purpose breedIt’s a dual-purpose breed
It is a larger sheep breedIt is a larger sheep breedPhoto: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
CotswoldCotswoldOriginated in England Originated in England
(Hills of Gloucester)(Hills of Gloucester)
Has white face Has white face && legs legs
Dark pigmentation of the Dark pigmentation of the nose, mouth, inside the nose, mouth, inside the ears, ears, && on the hooves on the hooves
Fleece is carried in locks Fleece is carried in locks && is quite abundant is quite abundant from the foretop/pollfrom the foretop/poll
A medium to large breedA medium to large breedPhoto: Unknown Source
DorperDorperOriginated in South AfricaOriginated in South Africa
Has white body Has white body & & usually a usually a black head/neck (85% of black head/neck (85% of Dorper Sheep Breeder’s Dorper Sheep Breeder’s of South Africa)of South Africa)
Skin is lightly covered with Skin is lightly covered with mixture of hair mixture of hair && wool wool
Dorper skin is thick, which Dorper skin is thick, which is why it is most sought is why it is most sought sheepskin in the worldsheepskin in the world
It is a meat breed of sheepIt is a meat breed of sheepPhoto: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
DorsetDorset Originated in WalesOriginated in Wales
They are all whiteThey are all white
Can be polled or hornedCan be polled or horned
Have wool on legs Have wool on legs && head, head, except for faceexcept for face
Light pigmentation of nose, Light pigmentation of nose, hooves, mouth, ears, etchooves, mouth, ears, etc
A thicker breed, with good A thicker breed, with good muscle conformation; so muscle conformation; so has a desirable carcasshas a desirable carcass
It is a medium sized breedIt is a medium sized breedPhoto: Unknown Source
HampshireHampshireOriginated in EnglandOriginated in England
It has black hair on its legs It has black hair on its legs && head, it has also black head, it has also black pigmentation of nose, pigmentation of nose, mouth, mouth, && hooves hooves
The legs are free of wool The legs are free of wool below the knee/hockbelow the knee/hock
The face is free of wool, The face is free of wool, but wool is present on but wool is present on the forehead/pollthe forehead/poll
A medium to large breedA medium to large breedPhoto: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
LincolnLincolnOriginated in EnglandOriginated in England
It is all white; with dark It is all white; with dark pigmentation of the nose, pigmentation of the nose, mouth, mouth, && inside the ears inside the ears
The fleece is carried in very The fleece is carried in very heavy locks heavy locks && it is well it is well wooled to knees/hockswooled to knees/hocks
It has a well pronounced It has a well pronounced foretop/poll of long woolforetop/poll of long wool
It is often or commonly It is often or commonly referred to as the world’s referred to as the world’s largest breed of sheeplargest breed of sheepPhoto: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley,
University of Nevada-Reno
MontadaleMontadale
Originated in the USOriginated in the US
All white; with dark pigment All white; with dark pigment of nose, mouth, of nose, mouth, && hooves hooves
Face Face && legs are free of wool legs are free of wool
Were developed as a dual Were developed as a dual purpose breed purpose breed (meat/wool)(meat/wool)
They are very adaptableThey are very adaptable
They are medium size breedThey are medium size breedPhoto: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
RambouilletRambouilletAs the name indicates, the As the name indicates, the
breed has roots in Francebreed has roots in France
It is all white, with light It is all white, with light pigment of nose pigment of nose && mouth mouth
Wool covers the whole body, Wool covers the whole body, except for face of sheepexcept for face of sheep
Both sexes are horned, Both sexes are horned, && they are very distinguished they are very distinguished && regal in appearance regal in appearance
Has loose skin from neck to Has loose skin from neck to breast/chest floor areabreast/chest floor area
It is a large breed of sheepIt is a large breed of sheepPhoto: Unknown Source
RomanovRomanov
Originated in Russia in the Originated in Russia in the Volga Valley near MoscowVolga Valley near Moscow
It is born black; but lightens It is born black; but lightens to white, silver, gray as to white, silver, gray as they mature they mature && make fleece make fleece
Fleece is white; face Fleece is white; face && legs legs have black have black && white hair white hair
Very early sexual maturity, Very early sexual maturity, in as little as three monthsin as little as three months
Have litters, 4-6 is normal; Have litters, 4-6 is normal; the record is 9 that livedthe record is 9 that livedPhoto: Unknown Source
ShropshireShropshireOriginated in EnglandOriginated in England
Wool covers most of the Wool covers most of the sheep; sheep; && must extend at must extend at least to knees/hocks least to knees/hocks && it it covers most of the head covers most of the head including poll including poll && lower jaw lower jaw
Areas not covered in wool, Areas not covered in wool, are covered by black hairare covered by black hair
A medium to large sheep, A medium to large sheep, has oily wool which shields has oily wool which shields it from harsh weatherit from harsh weather
Photo: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley University of Nevada-Reno
SouthdownSouthdown
Originated in EnglandOriginated in England
It is all white; with grayish It is all white; with grayish pigmentation of mouth, pigmentation of mouth, nose, nose, && ears ears
Is completely wool covered, Is completely wool covered, from its nose to its hoovesfrom its nose to its hooves
It is a polled breed of sheepIt is a polled breed of sheep
Adaptable Adaptable && early maturing early maturing
Small to medium size breedSmall to medium size breedPhoto: Sally Anne Thompson
SuffolkSuffolk
As the name could infer, it As the name could infer, it developed in Englanddeveloped in England
Legs Legs & & head are free of wool; head are free of wool; && possess black hair possess black hair
Are long legged Are long legged && muscular muscular
Has very regal appearanceHas very regal appearance
It is a large to very large It is a large to very large breed of sheepbreed of sheep
Photo: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley University of Nevada-Reno
TunisTunisOne of oldest breeds that is One of oldest breeds that is
indigenous to the USindigenous to the US
Beige/creamy color woolBeige/creamy color wool
Legs (below knees/hocks), Legs (below knees/hocks), face, face, && forehead (to the forehead (to the poll/foretop) are wool freepoll/foretop) are wool free
Wool-free areas are red in Wool-free areas are red in color, color, && the area around the area around nose/mouth is whitishnose/mouth is whitish
Both sexes are polled, Both sexes are polled, && the the ears are rather largeears are rather large
Adaptable Adaptable && disease resistance disease resistance
Medium size, meat sheepMedium size, meat sheepPhoto: Unknown Source
Identify…Identify…
California RedCalifornia Red
Originated in California
Beige/oatmeal color wool
Legs, face, forehead, poll, & around ears (to under jaw/throat) is wool free
Wool-free areas are red in color, the area around nose/mouth is whitish
Both sexes are polled
Medium size, meat sheep
Identify…Identify…
RambouilletRambouillet
Has its roots in France
It is all white, with light pigment of nose & mouth
Wool covers the whole body, except for face of sheep
Both sexes are horned, & they are very regal in appearance
Has loose skin from neck to breast/chest floor area
It is a large breed of sheep
Identify…Identify…
CheviotCheviot
Originated in England/Scotland
Face & legs; white & wool free
Black nose/muzzle & feet, dark eyes, & erect ears; give it a perky & stylish appearance
Hardy, easy lambing, good mothers, & fast maturity
A smaller breed of sheep
Identify…Identify…
CotswoldCotswold
Originated in England
Has white face & legs
Dark pigmentation of the nose, mouth, inside the ears, & on the hooves
Fleece is carried in locks and is quite abundant from the foretop/poll
A medium to large breed
Identify…Identify…
California RedCalifornia Red
Photo: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
Identify…Identify…
BarbadoBarbado
Originated in Texas
Tan, tan with pale belly, tan with black belly, or pied are most common color
Face is light/white colored
Females are polled
Males have large horns that curl/sweep
Due to distinctive horns, used as trophy animal on big game ranches
Identify…Identify…
CorriedaleCorriedale
Originated in Australia & New Zealand
It is all white; with dark pigmentation of the nose, muzzle, & mouth
Has wool on legs & poll
It is a polled sheep breed
It’s a dual-purpose breed
It is a larger sheep breed
Identify…Identify…
DorsetDorset
Originated in Wales
They are all white
Can be polled or horned
Have wool on legs & head
Light pigmentation of nose, hooves, mouth, ears, etc
Has a desirable carcass
It is a medium sized breed
Identify…Identify…
MontadaleMontadale
Originated in the US
All white; with dark pigment of nose, mouth, & hooves
Face & legs are free of wool
Were developed as a dual purpose breed (meat/wool)
They are very adaptable
They are medium size breed
Identify…Identify…
DorperDorper
Originated in South Africa
Has white body & usually a black head/neck
Skin is lightly covered with mixture of hair & wool
The skin is thick, which is why it is the most sought sheepskin in the world
It is a meat breed of sheep
Identify…Identify…
SuffolkSuffolk
As the name could infer, it developed in England
Legs & head are free of wool; and possess black hair
Are long legged & muscular
Has very regal appearance
It is a large to very large breed of sheep
Identify…Identify…
LincolnLincoln
Originated in England
It is all white; with dark pigmentation of the nose, mouth, & inside the ears
The fleece is carried in very heavy locks and it is well wooled to knees/hocks
It has a well pronounced foretop/poll of long wool
Largest breed of sheep
Identify…Identify…
RomanovRomanov
Originated in Russia, near Moscow
Born black; but lightens to white, silver, gray as they make fleece
Fleece is white; face & legs have black & white hair
Very early sexual maturity, in as little as three months
Have litters, 4-6 is normal; the record is 9 that lived
Identify…Identify…
HampshireHampshire
Originated in England
It has black hair on its legs & head, it has also black pigmentation of nose, mouth, & hooves
The legs are free of wool below the knee/hock
The face is free of wool
A medium to large breed
Identify…Identify…
ShropshireShropshire
Originated in England
Wool covers most of the sheep; and must extend at least to knees/hocks and it covers most of the head including poll & lower jaw
Areas not covered in wool, are covered by black hair
A medium to large sheep, that has oily wool
Identify…Identify…
SouthdownSouthdown
Originated in England
All white; grayish pigment of mouth, nose, & ears
Is completely wool covered, from its nose to its hooves
It is a polled breed of sheep
Adaptable & early maturing
Small to medium size breed
Identify…Identify…
California RedCalifornia Red
Photo: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno
Identify…Identify…
TunisTunis
Old indigenous breed to the US
Beige/creamy color wool
Legs (below knees/hocks), face, & forehead (to the poll/foretop) are wool free & are red in color, area near nose/mouth is whitish
It is polled, with large ears
Adaptable & disease resistance
Medium size, meat sheep
Identify…Identify…
ColumbiaColumbia
Originated in US, by US Dept of Agriculture
It is all white; with light pigmentation of nose, muzzle, mouth, & ears
Has wool on legs & poll
Developed for range, but have proven adaptable
A large breed of sheep
Other BreedsOther Breeds
There are many other breeds that could There are many other breeds that could have been included in this presentation; have been included in this presentation; and maybe some of them should have been and maybe some of them should have been included, and maybe some of those that included, and maybe some of those that were included should have been excluded. were included should have been excluded.
Regardless of your thoughts and opinions Regardless of your thoughts and opinions concerning the inclusion/exclusion of the concerning the inclusion/exclusion of the various breeds, it can be agreed that it various breeds, it can be agreed that it would be very difficult to reach agreement.would be very difficult to reach agreement.
Other BreedsOther Breeds
Given the thoughts stated in the previous Given the thoughts stated in the previous slide, the following breeds are listed as slide, the following breeds are listed as breeds for additional review and study.breeds for additional review and study.
KatahdinKatahdin DalaDala Drysdale Coopworth Drysdale Coopworth Polwarth Polwarth BondBond Galway Galway Targhee Targhee Romney Romney LonkLonk Polypay Polypay Merino Merino OxfordOxford TexelTexel Devon Devon Cormo Cormo
Conducting an internet search for Conducting an internet search for sheep sheep breedsbreeds is an excellent starting point. is an excellent starting point.