Sheep Breeds

Meat Breeds

100

Hardy breed that can adapt many climate conditions. They do well as a foraging breed, although the percentage of lambing twins and triplets in farm flocks is higher. Middle-sized and have a high muscle-to-bone ratio. Their meat is lean, delicate, tasty and quite a hit among chefs. The sheep produce a white fleece of medium wool. There is no wool on face or legs, and the nose is distinctively black.

Texel

200

Ewes give birth to three lambs per year and the lambs grow fast. They can be used as a terminal breed with other breeds to produce heavier lambs more quickly for marketing at around three months of age or a typical weight of 100 pounds. Because you can market lamb at an early age, there is less medical expenditure, less feeding and less work.

Suffolk

300

British breed that is currently at risk in many countries. Although its origins are unknown, it is thought that it was developed by crossbreeding Merinos with native, horned Welsh sheep. The spiral horns of the rams make the breed straight away recognizable. The meat is consistent, succulent, very mild and tender tasting. It is succulent and has a muttony sheep taste. The sheep do well on good pasture and often do not need extra supplementation.

The ewes give birth to three lambs a year, which is appealing for the farmers who are interested in marketing lambs for meat. They make excellent foragers and would rarely need supplementation.

Dorset Horn

400

Breed started as a mountain breed, native to the hills between Scotland and England. These sheep are extremely hardy and can withstand harsh winters. They have a small head covered with fine, white hair that also covers their legs. Fleece is dense and firm with no wool on face or legs. For two reasons, these sheep are ideal for farming and make the top of this list:

1. Although they are short, the lambs are hardy and have good quality meat. Ewes have strong mothering instincts and are known for problem-free lambing.
2. They do well on the poor quality pasture and may need little or no supplementation.

Cheviot

500

one of the latest recognized domestic sheep breeds. It has its origins in the Burgundy region of France. These sheep are medium to large-sized, well-muscled with pink-grey faces and legs and fine to medium wool covering the body. They are generally used as a terminal sire to increase the muscling and growth rate of lambs. They are heavily muscled and produce lean carcasses, which is ideal for the meat trade. Fast growth, lean quality meat, high yield, easy lambing and quality carcass make them desirable among sheep farmers. However, these sheep are poor foragers. A good pasture is must for these sheep, who may need supplementation.

 Charollais

Charollais

Wool Breeds

100

The ancestors of pretty much all fine wool breeds produce the finest and most valuable type of wool. These sheep have wool of fineness 17-22 microns. Some of these may also be as thin as 12 microns which is nearly the size of cobwebs. The wool is very soft and has excellent felting properties.

Merino

200

The outstanding quality wool of this sheep is the result of the mix of traits of its ancestors, Merino and Lincoln. It grows soft and heavy fleece of diameter 23-28 microns. The staples are typically the longest among the fine wools.

Bond

300

Originated from Tasmania, Australia. It is a fertile breed that can stand wet and cold conditions better than Merino. The fleece is clean, white and resultant heavy fleece weight. The fibre diameter is quite uniform from head to tail. It is extremely soft, warm; has average lustre for fine wool and a perfect balance of loft and elasticity. The downside to wool from this breed is the short length of staple and high crimp that makes it troublesome for the spinners to maintain even tension. 

Cormo

400

Grows fibre of just perfect length and high, fine crimp. It is a fertile and hardy breed that adapts to harsh climate conditions. The fibre is of medium fineness (24-31 microns). Compared to other medium wool sheep, Finn produces fibre with softness and loft. Because of a low amount of lanolin, the fleece grows relatively clean on the animal.

Finnish Landrace

500

Large-sized, polled longwool sheep with distinctive blue-grey faces. The wool is one of the finest and lustrous of all longwools. The staple length is also quite excellent making it one of the most profitable wool breed out there.

Wensleydale

Dual Purpose Breeds

100

Hardy dual-purpose breed used for meat and fibre. The breed is so popular that it is found in nearly all the countries growing sheep.

The fibre is uniform, semi-lustrous and has more crimp than most longwool sheep. It has a diameter of 32-39 microns and is of rough grade, unsuitable for garments directly in contact with skin. The yarn has a certain quality which gives it an earthy look and feel.

Romney

200

Large-bodied fine wool sheep breed that is also raised for meat. The fleece has a fineness of 19-23 microns. Crimp is finer and more even than that of a Merino’s. The crimp gives excellent loft and elasticity to the fibre. Overall it is one of the best wool sheep for felting.

Rambouillet

300

Dual-purpose meat and wool sheep that has come from crossing Longwool rams with Merino ewes. It is a hardy sheep adapted to a wide range of conditions. The fleece is soft, lustrous and nicely crimped.

Corriedale

400

A heritage breed in true sense. It is a result of a mix of several breeds of British origin, bred for many centuries. They have large heads. Although they are more popular for wool, meat is another cherished product from them. The meat is lean yet succulent, fragrant and sweet tasting. They tend to be poor foragers and will need good quality pasture or additional supplementation to cater to their feed needs.

Hampshire Down

500

Small and extremely hardy breed that originated in South Wales. The ewes are desirable for easy lambing, high fertility, and good milk production.

These sheep have good longevity; they are active and thus hard to keep fenced.

These sheep produce remarkable quality meat and fibre, flavorful with a high meat-to-bone ratio.

These sheep are known for their fine, soft, black fibre.

Welsh Mountain Sheep

Hair Sheep

100

Modern American breed of sheep. It is an easy-care sheep: it grows a hair coat with little wool which moults naturally in the spring, and does not need to be shorn. It is reared for meat only.

Katahdin

200

South African breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep. The breed was created through the efforts of the South African Department of Agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country.

Dorper

Rare Breeds

100

 An endangered breed of sheep originating in Hungary, known for its curly and crimped wool and unusual spiral-shaped horns, which are seen on both the rams and the ewes.

Racka