sheep breeds

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

This presentation was developed for use as an educational resource and is provided as an educational service. User/purchase fees are not associated with this presentation.

Information DevelopmentInformation Development

Much effort and time was devoted to:developing accurate/current information

incorporating appropriate pictures/graphicsproviding proper credit of pictures/graphicsobtaining copyright/educational permission

Any and/or all errors, omissions, etc.are purely unintentional/accidental.

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…

DorsetDorset

Photo: Myrna Fisher/Lynn Conley, University of Nevada-Reno


BarbadoBarbado

Photo: Lynn Magedson


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


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


ColumbiaColumbia

Photo: Unknown Source


SuffolkSuffolk



RomanovRomanov



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


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


TunisTunis



ShropshireShropshire



HampshireHampshire



SuffolkSuffolk



CheviotCheviot



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



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


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


DorperDorper



CotswoldCotswold



LincolnLincoln

Photo: Sally Anne Thompson


ColumbiaColumbia



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


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


SouthdownSouthdown



DorsetDorset



TunisTunis



MontadaleMontadale



HampshireHampshire



BarbadoBarbado



LincolnLincoln



CotswoldCotswold



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


LincolnLincoln


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


SouthdownSouthdown

Photo: Stephanie Burrows/Oklahoma State University


MontadaleMontadale



CheviotCheviot



CotswoldCotswold



DorperDorper



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


HampshireHampshire


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


ColumbiaColumbia




Photo: Terry & Viki Clark, Oklahoma State University


TunisTunis



RomanovRomanov





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


SouthdownSouthdown


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


DorsetDorset



RomanovRomanov



LincolnLincoln

Photo: Oklahoma State University


DorperDorper



SuffolkSuffolk



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


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


CheviotCheviot



SouthdownSouthdown

Photo: Sally Anne Thompson



Photo: Oklahoma State University


BarbadoBarbado



MontadaleMontadale



HampshireHampshire



DorsetDorset


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.

sheep breeds

Documents

university of nevada

university of wyomingdr

larger sheep breedphoto

h sheep manualswikipedia

myrna fisherlynn conley

polled sheep breedits

meat breed of sheepphoto

meat sheepphoto