sheep breeds

Sheep Breeds

Merino

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• Originated in Spain

• Now common in Australia

• Dual purpose breed--wool and meat production

Dorset

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• Originated is England

• Merino and the Horned Sheep of Wales were used

• Mature rams weigh 225-275 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 150-200 lbs.

Rambouillet

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• Originated with Spanish Merino flocks in the US

• Mature rams weigh 250-300 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 150-200 lbs.

• Mature sheep have an 8-18 lb. fleece

Barbados Blackbelly

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• Originated on the island of Barbados

• Average two lambs per year

• Mature weight is 100-125 lbs.

Barbado

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• Originated in Texas

• Barbados blackbelly and Rambouillet breeds used

• Rams are horned, ewes are polled

Tunis

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• Indigenous to the United States

• Mature rams weigh 175-225 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 125-200 lbs.

• Meat-type sheep

California Red

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• Originated in California

• Barbados and Tunis breeds used

• Mature rams weigh 200-250 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 110-140 lbs.

Romney

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• Originated in England

• Marsh breed improved by crossing with English sheep

• Mature rams weigh 225-275 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 150-200 lbs.

California Variegated Mutant

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• Originated in California

• Version of the Romney

• Mature rams weigh 175-200 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 120-150 lbs.

Leicester Longwool

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• Originated in England

• Heavy, curly fleece

• Found in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and England

North Country Cheviot

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• Originated in Scotland

• have Leicester lineage

• Mature rams weigh 300 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 180 lbs.

Lincoln

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• Originated in England

• Leicester and the native Lincolnshire breeds used

• Mature rams weigh 250-300 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 200-250 lbs.

Corriedale

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• Developed in Australia and New Zealand

• Merino and Lincoln breeds used

• Mature rams weigh 175-225 lbs.

• Mature rams weigh 130-180 lbs.

• Dual purpose breed

Targhee

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• Developed in the United States

• One of America’s youngest breeds

• Rambouillet, Corridale, and Lincolns used

• Mature rams weigh 200-300 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 125-200 lbs.

Finnsheep

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• Descended from the wild sheep of Corsica

• Mature sheep fleece will weigh 4-8 lbs.

• Mature rams weigh 150-200 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 120-190 lbs.

Polypay

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• Developed in the United States

• People wanted 2 lamb crops and 1 wool crop per year

• Finnsheep, Rambouillet, Targhee, and Dorsets used

Columbia

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• Originated in Wyoming

• Rambouillet and Lincoln breeds used

• Mature rams weigh 225-300 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 150-225 lbs.

Cheviot

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• Originated on the border of England and Scotland

• Bred for quality wool and some meat production

• Mature rams weigh 160-200 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 120-160 lbs.

Montadale

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• Originated in the United States

• Columbia and Cheviot breeds used

• Mature rams weigh 200-275 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 150-200 lbs.

Cotswold

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• Originated in Britain

• Fine, curly wool

• Mature rams weigh 300 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 200 lbs.

Oxford

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• Originated in Oxford, England

• Hampshire and Cotswold breeds used

• Mature rams weigh 200-300 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 150-200 lbs.

Hampshire

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• Originated in England

• Mainly used for meat production

• Mature rams weigh 275 lbs. or more

• Mature ewes weigh 200 lbs. or more

Hog Island Sheep

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• Originated on Hog Island in Virginia

• Both rams and ewes can be horned

• Mature rams weigh 125 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 90 lbs.

Southdown

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• Originated in England

• Used in crossbreeding programs

• Mature rams weigh 190-230 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 130-180 lbs.

Norfolk Horned

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• Originated in England

• Rams and ewes horned

Suffolk

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• Originated in England

• Southdown and Norfolk horned breeds used

• Mature rams weigh 250-350 lbs.

• Mature ewes weigh 180-250 lbs.

South Suffolk

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• Originated in England

• Suffolk and Southdown breeds used

White Suffolk

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• Developed in Australia as a terminal sire breed

• Suffolk, Dorset, and Leicester breeds used

• Growth traits of a Suffolk, but with white points

Welsh Hill Speckled Face

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• Originated in the Welsh Mountains

• Rams are polled or horned

• Ewes are always polled