The Scottish Dunface, also known as Old Scottish Short-wool, Scottish Whiteface, or Scottish Tanface, holds a significant place in the history of sheep breeds, despite its unfortunate extinction. Originating from Scotland, these sheep were part of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group and likely resembled the sheep kept throughout the British Isles during the Iron Age.
During the mid-nineteenth century, the Scottish Dunface faced a decline in numbers and eventually became overshadowed by other breeds, particularly the Scottish Blackface. This led to their extinction on the mainland of Scotland by the late nineteenth century. However, remnants of the breed persisted on various islands around Scotland, where they either gave rise to or contributed to the development of other existing breeds.
The survival of local types of Dunface on Scottish islands played a crucial role in the evolution of several distinct sheep breeds, including the Shetland, North Ronaldsay, Hebridean, and Boreray. These island populations adapted to their unique environments over time, contributing to the diversity of sheep breeds in the region and preserving genetic traits that were characteristic of the Scottish Dunface.
While the Scottish Dunface may no longer exist as a distinct breed, its legacy lives on through the breeds it influenced and the genetic contributions it made to the sheep populations of Scotland and beyond. This breed serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of agricultural practices and the importance of preserving heritage breeds to maintain genetic diversity in livestock populations.
About Scottish Dunface Sheep
