Download - 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