Sheep Breeds

Sheep for Sale

Incomplete list

Acipayam sheep are a multi-purpose breed (wool. Milk, and meat) that originated in Turkey that was developed by crossing Awassi and Daglic sheep.

Acipayam rams average 65 kg (140 lb) and ewes 60 kg (130 lb) at maturity. Both have white, coarse wool.

Adallie Ovis Sheep are raised for meat and are from Ethopia.

Afghan Arabi sheep are fat-rumpled sheep found in northern Afghanistan used for meat and milk production. They generally are polled and have long pendulous ears.

Typically, they are grey or black with white on their face and the average height of mature ewes is 48 cm (19 in).

Africana sheep (also known as Pelona, Camura, Red African, Rojo Africana, Colombian Wooless, or West African sheep) are found in Colombia and Venezuela. They are very similar to Pelibüey sheep in size and confirmation.

They are usually brown, ranging in shade from tan to brown and cherry-red to dark red. They are is raised for meat and classified as a hair breed.

Afrino are a fine wool, dual-purpose sheep.

During the late 1960's, a request was made to the Department of Agriculture by the wool industry, via the South African Agricultural Union, to develop a white-wooled breed for extensive sheep grazing areas. In 1976, it was evident that the crossing of 25 percent Merino, 25 percent Ronderib Afrikaner, and 50 percent South African Mutton Merino best fulfilled the requirements set for the new breed.

It was decided to retain only this cross for further up ...

Alai sheep are a dual-purpose breed raised for its meat and wool from Kyrgyzstan.

They are white with occasional spots on their legs and heads. Their wool is semi-coarse and often used in carpet. Rams may be either horned or polled; however, they ewes are all polled.

Alai sheep are a “fat-rump” breed and are specifically adapted to living conditions of the Alay Valley region (above 3 km (1.9 mi) above sea level).

Alcarreña sheep are medium-wooled meat found in the La Alcarria, Guadalajara, and the Cuenca regions of New Castille, Spain.

They are of the Entrefino type. Sometimes they have light-brown markings on the head and legs, and occasionally they are all black. Both sexes are polled.

Algarve Churro sheep are from Portugal and used for meat.

They are white with black spots on the feet and head. However, about 10% of them are completely black.

Mature rams grow on average to 95 cm (37 in) at the withers and weigh 75 kg (170 lb). However, ewes grow to 85 cm (33 in) at the withers and weigh 55 kg (120 lb) at maturity.

Algerian Arab sheep (also known as Ouled Jellal or Western Thin-tailed sheep) are found throughout Algeria. They are adapted to arid climates and it is believed that they evolved from the Tadmit sheep in Algeria. They produce carpet-grade wool but they are primarily raised for meat.

They are white and have long legs. The males are horned and the females are polled.

Alpagota, or Pagota, sheep are from Italy (Lamon, Vicentina and Istriana; Belluno and Venezia Provinces). They are well suited to the local hills and mountains.

Content and Photo source: Agraria.org.

Alpines Steinschaf are mountain sheep from the Eastern Alps of Austria and southern Germany. They are used for wool and meat… and for keeping the grass down.

Alpines Steinschaf sheep are fine-boned and small to medium sized. Rams weigh 55 to 80 kg (121 to 176 lb), and ewes 40 to 60 kg (88 to 132 lb).

They are found in all coat colors and sometimes their face and ears are marked with black. Their face and lower legs are without wool and their legs are thin but strong, and their hooves are hard. Rams are ...

Altamurana sheep are a medium-sized Milk sheep from the Bari and Foggia Provinces, in the Apulia Region of southern Italy.

Altamurana sheep are white with occasionally dark spots on their faces. They are well adapted to live on arid soils. Altamurana sheep come down from the ovines of Asian race or Syrian of the Sanson and just from the stock of Zackei.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Altay sheep are from the dry, cold mountain basins of China.

They are fat-rumped and are sometimes raised for carpet wool (they average 2.5 to 3.5 pounds, 1.3 - 1.5 kg, of wool per shearing), but more often they are raised for meat.

Over time Altay sheep gradually developed a fat tail (or rump) as a consistent characteristic. The tail (or rump) weighs about 15 pounds (7 kg). The rams average 180 pounds (82 kg) and the ewes 150 pounds (69 kg) at maturity.

American Blackbelly sheep are a composite breed resulting from the crossing of Barbados Blackbelly with Mouflon and Rambouillet breeds. As the name implies, the underbelly of the American Blackbelly is black, as is the inside of the legs, the back part of the thighs, and the hair inside the ears. Two black facial barbs extend down the muzzle medial to the eye, giving the breed an exotic appearance.

Through selective breeding, the American Blackbelly has retained the coloration of its Barbados Blackbelly parent stock, but can be ea ...

Ancon sheep have long bodies with short legs. Their fore-legs are crooked. This type of sheep was bred from a single Massachusetts, USA, lamb. The Ancon sheep are quite desirable because they cannot jump over fences. The Ancon name has been applied to other strains of sheep. Scientists used the Ancon for genetic research and after it was no longer needed for study it was allowed to become extinct. Excavations of the Ancon have been done in the United Kingdom. They have found that the Ancon has a history that dates back to AD 1500. ...

Apennine sheep (also known as Appenninica, Bariscianese, Chietina Varzese, or Perugina del piano) are white sheep that were found in the 1970's in central Italy, mainly in Toscana, Emilia, Umbria, arche, Abruzzi regions of Italy. They were developed by crossbreeding the local breed with other Italian or exotic breeds such as: Bergamasca and Ile-de-France. There are an estimated 250,000 heads, spread out over central and southern Italy.

They are white with medium-wool that are raised mainly for meat. They are polled a ...

Arabi, also known as Afghan Arabi, Sheep are fat-rumped sheep from Northern Afghanistan. They typically have long pendulous ears; they also generally have black or white faces. The Arabi rams have horns and the ewes are polled (hornless). They are raised for meat and wool production.

Most likely Arabi sheep are descended from very ancient importations from Arabia across the narrow Bal-el-Mandeb Straits at the mouth of the Red Sea. They have adapted to extreme temperatures and conditions. Within the foothills of Iraq, ...

Aragonesa are a dual-purpose, medium wool sheep raised mainly for its meat. They are the second most important Spanish breed after the Merino. Spanish sheep breeds of medium quality wool are considered to have originated from the crossbreeding of fine-wool strains (Merino) and those with coarse wool (Churra and Lacha), though this viewpoint is overly simplistic.

Aragonesa sheep are known for ruggedness, gregarious instinct, pasturing ability, and adaptability to the harsh environment in which it is raised.

Historical records suggest that sheep have been known on Arapawa Island, NZ, in the Marlborough Sounds for at least 130 years.

Most likely the Arapawa feral sheep are escapees of a flock of Merino Sheep.

To those unused to their distinctive appearance, Arapawa sheep may at first acquaintance seem ungainly or even ugly, with their somewhat hunched appearance and often ragged fleece. Certainly they bear little resemblance to their more immediate Merino ancestors and even less to the Merinos familiar to u ...

Assaf sheep are the result of crossbreeding between Awassi and East Friesian Milk sheep. In 1955, researchers of the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization (A.R.O) started this project aiming to improve the fecundity of the Awassi sheep. A combination of 3/8 East Friesian and 5/8 Awassi blood emerged as the best cross.

Most dairy sheep breeders in Israel have adopted the Assaf, which is considered not only a top quality dairy sheep and excellent mutton producer, but is also well-adapted to semi-extensive to extensive produ ...

The Babydoll Southdown is a sheep of the early Southdown type imported into the U.S. and seen in England in the 1800's through the early 1900's. They are 18" to 24" at the shoulder and display the original Southdown type and characteristics. The Southdown breed of sheep originated in the South "Downs" of Sussex County, England, and is one of the oldest of the Down breeds. English farms kept these sheep for their flavorful meat and fine fleece.

Torddu, the Welsh name meaning 'black belly' have distinct black stripes above the eyes and a black stripe running from under the chin to the belly and continuing underneath to the end of the tail. The legs are black with a tan stripe. The fleece can be white, grey or light brown, but preference is given to the lighter shades. The wool should be firm and medium length (7-10 cm). The Torwen, the Welsh name meaning 'white belly' show the reverse coloring, but with a smaller eye stripe. Their bodies should be compact and strong and o ...

Bagnolese Sheep are an autochthonous breed from Campania, Italy that got its name from the village of Bagnoli Irpino in the province of Avellino. They probably derives from the crossbreeding of the Barbaresca breed and the local breeds of the Apennines. Over time they spread from Irpinia to the entire region up to the provinces of Caserta and Salerno.

They are medium-large white sheep with black spots. There are excellent dairy products derived from its milk: pecorino as well as ricotta cheese (fresh or salted and aged). ...

The Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep is a sheep for all seasons. One of the original Welsh breeds of sheep the Balwen remains as one of the most striking and versatile of all the rare breed sheep. The sheep has a base color of black, dark brown or dark grey. It has a white stripe running from the pole of the head to the top of the nose, four white feet and half white tail. Average mature ewe weighs 40-50kgs, rams 45-60kgs.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Found in Sicily in southern Italy, the Barbaresca Siciliana (Sicilian Barbary) was developed from the Tunisian Barbary and the Pinzirita.

They have coarse to medium wool and are kept for both milk and meat production. The Sicilian Barbary is polled and usually has dark spots on the face and legs. They have lop ears and stores fat at the base of their tail.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

The Beltex is a medium sized sheep, long in the body. It is wedge-shaped from a narrow shoulder to a distinctive large, double-muscled hindquarter. The head is generally white in color but may have black, blue or brown shadings or patches. The fore face is short and thick. The fleece is tight, dense of medium staple length. Average male bodyweight 95kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Bergamasca, also known by: Bergamasker, Gigante di Bergamo, Bergamacia (Brazil), sheep have white coarse wool and are raised for meat.

Bergamasca sheep are found in the Lombardy, region of northern Italy. They are a basic breed of the Lop-eared Alpine group and are polled. The Bergamasca is the foundation of the other Lop-eared Alpine breeds and of Fabrianese.

Content and Photo source: Agraria.org.

Berrichon du Cher sheep have been bred for meat production since the 18th century. This long-lasting breeding process has resulted in a well-conformed breed, characterized by early growth.

Berrichon ewes have a natural ability to lamb out-of-season: 60% of lambs are naturally born from September to November, a schedule which provides high flexibility in terms of production.

Berrichon du Cher Sheep are hardy and are able to cover wide distances, which render the breed suitable for various livestock management sy ...

Biellese sheep are from the Piedmont region of northern Italy. They are a polled carpet wool breed used for meat production. They are one of the Lop-eared Alpine group of sheep breeds.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Black Hawaiian Sheep are the source of some controversy. Some say they are a cross of Mouflon and black hair sheep from the Hawaiian islands. Others say they are Barbados sheep with a dilution of the red color gene making them black. They have a thick black coat and are usually black all over, although some sport a white muzzle.

Like the other species of sheep of this type, their horns grow up, back, down, forward, up again, and then tip out. The horns of the Black Hawaiian are jet black. Males can weigh up to 140 to 1 ...

Hardiness and self-reliance are the outstanding features of this ancient breed. Hill flocks of this breed, in normal conditions, require no supplementary feeding, they thrive on the short rough grasses and herbage of the unploughable uplands. They are an ideal breed for the smallholder as well as being used in their natural environment on the hill. They are a good breed for children to work with as they are shown on halters and the lambs are easy to handle. They cross well with terminal breeds to produce good quality tasty meat bo ...

The Bleu du Maine is a large grassland sheep with slate blue/grey coloring in its head. It has a very alert eye, large nostrils and ears and no horns. Average mature ewe weighs 80-120kg, rams 110-180kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

The Bluefaced Leicester is the single most significant sheep breed in the UK today, with nearly 50% of the UK’s commercial breeding flock being sired by the Bluefaced Leicester. Of the remaining  50%  around half are being mated with  Bluefaced Leicester rams to produce Mule ewes. The great strength of the Blueface, is that no matter what breed of sheep it’s crossed with, its progeny the Mule proves a better commercial ewe than its mother. The Bluefaced Leicester’s improve prolificacy, mothering ability, ease of manage ...

A distinctive large white sheep, long in body, well sprung ribs with well-developed chest and gigot, proud and graceful with white densely planted wool, 18-20cms in length. Average mature ewe weighs 80-100kg, rams 125-150kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

White face and legs. Ears erect with no ruff of wool behind them. No wool on face or legs below knee or hock. Broad, strong back. Rams are occasionally horned, ewes are polled. Average mature ewe weighs 60kg, rams 90kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Brentagana Scelta are large white sheep raised for wool and meat. They are an Italian breed and belong to the Alpine group. They are known for their adaptation to the local marginal conditions.

Content and photo source: agraia.org.

Brianzola are large white sheep related to the giant Alpine meat sheep coming from Ovis aries sudanica of Sanson. They come from Brianza, Italy, a territory including the provinces of Como, Lecco and Monza (Lombardia). They are raised for meat.

Brianzola are large white sheep related to the giant Alpine meat sheep coming from Ovis aries sudanica of Sanson. They come from Brianza, Italy, a territory including the provinces of Como, Lecco and Monza (Lombardia). They are raised for meat.

C ...

Brigasca sheep are a local breed whose name is linked to the border territory between Liguria, Piedmont and Provence. They are descended from the Frabosana breed and likely crossbred with Langhe sheep. The Brigasca is a rustic animal, perfectly adapted to the traditional rearing system of a minimum of six months in alpine pastures.

Brigasca sheep are used for milk and meat. Their milk is used to produce three different kinds of cheese: Sora, Toma, and Brus. All are made with techniques and tools bound to the ancient traditio ...

British Milk sheep are medium to large polled sheep with a predominantly white face and legs. Their head is usually free from wool, the muzzle broad and the ears long. The ewe is naturally prolific and is noted for its quiet temperament which is important in the management of high performance sheep. The conformation of the ewe, particularly the roomy pelvic area, ensures that lambing is easy. The rams have a long body and good hindquarters. They are robust and active being keen and vigorous workers all through the year. Average mature ew ...

Bragna sheep have white coats and rosy skin. They are used mainly for meat, but also for milk. They are an autochthonous breed of uncertain origin. They are mainly reared in the province of Verona (Veneto), particularly in Lessinia, Italy.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Calabrese, also known as Sciara or Moscia Calabrese, sheep are an autochthonous breed from the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro (Calabria), reared in the high hills on poor steep grazing land. They belong to the group with soft hanging woolly coat but it is smaller than Altamurana and Leccese breeds.

They have white coats and are raised for milk.

Content and photo source: agraria.org.

California Red are medium-wool meat and wool sheep developed in 1970. They are a cross between Barbados and Tunis sheep.

Mature rams weigh 225 to 250 pounds and ewes range from 130 to 150 pounds. Both sexes are naturally hornless. Lambs are born a solid rust or cinnamon red color, a color that is retained as they mature.

At maturity, their fleeces turn a beige or oatmeal color. Their legs and faces are free of wool with long pendulous ears. Their wool is silky in texture and has found a specialty market wit ...

California Variegated Mutant Sheep, or simply C.V.M. Sheep, are the result of many crossbreeding started in 1915.

In 1915 A.T. Spencer developed the Romeldale breed. He purchased several New Zealand Romney Rams in 1915 that were brought to the Pan-American exposition in San Francisco. He felt the Romney breed would increase the staple, length, and carcass quality of his Rambouillets. Through many years of selection, the Romeldale breed was developed, with fleece properties of 60-64's, extremely high yield, and uniformity, ...

Cambridge Sheep are a very prolific breed that has particular value in crossbreeding. The Cambridge is a dark faced medium size sheep. The mature weight of rams and ewes is 100 kg and 67 kg respectively. They are long lived with excellent teeth and are hardy and resilient to environmental extremes. Ewes lambs easily, are good mothers and the incidence of mastitis is low. The breed’s high prolificacy means that it can be mated with a variety of other breeds and crossbreeds to produce, high performance commercial ewes.

Content an ...

The first sheep were landed on sub Antarctic Campbell Island (over 600 kilometers south of the New Zealand mainland) in 1895 after a grazing lease had been taken up. Two thousand more were introduced in 1901, and a further thousand in 1902. Both of the first introductions are known to have been Merinos, but the last was of an unknown breed – at least some must have been longwools such as Lincolns or Leicesters.

As a result, the Campbell Island sheep are one of the few feral breeds known to have anything other than Merino bl ...

Castlemilk Morrit Sheep were developed during the the early years of the 20th century. The late Sir Jock Buchanan-Jardine began a breeding program on his Castlemilk Estate in Dumfriesshire. Using Manx Loghtan, moorit Shetland, and wild Mouflon, he developed a breed to beautify his parkland and provide fine, kemp-free moorit colored wool. On the death of Sir John Buchanan-Jardine the flock was dispersed in 1970, and six ewes and a ram were bought by Joe Henson at the Cotswold Farm Park.

All of today’s Castlemilk Moorits are descende ...

Charmoise sheep are polled white faced and white legged sheep with a deep body coated in a tight fleece of good quality. It has the most excellent conformation with short neck well-muscled loins and strong gigots. It is light of bone and very alert and lively from birth. Average mature ewe weighs 65-70kg, rams 80-90kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Charollais Sheep are a medium to large sized sheep. They are long and well-muscled with thick, deep gigots. The body is long with a well-muscled broad loin and wide deep chest. The head is free from wool, pinkish/grey in color sometimes with spots. The line of the shoulders should retain a wedge shape which is so important for ease of lambing. The legs are clean, quite short, colored but never very dark. The front legs should not be set too wide apart and animal must be well balanced. The gigots are well developed, thick and deep. The bre ...

Near the southwest corner of the main island of the Chatham group, NZ, is a small flock of feral sheep which appear to have certain Merino characteristics, and thus may predate the Island’s change to longwool breeds.

It is believed that Chatham Island ferals have been living ‘wild’ for almost a hundred years, and it is possible that they originated from some Saxon Merinos that were taken to South East Island (another of the Chatham group) in 1841.

The most noticeable difference between these and the fe ...

Cheviot Sheep are white-faced Hill sheep from the Scottish Borders. The ewe has fine hard white hair on her face over the crown and on her legs which should have a fine, flat quality bone. The fleece should be dense and firm with no kemp or colored hair. The rams can have horns.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Ciavenasca are a meat sheep with white wool. They are indigenous to Sondrio Province (Val Chiavenna), Lombardy Region, northern Italy.

Content and photo source: agraia.org.

Ciuta Sheep are white Italian mountain sheep bred for meat. Unfortunately they are most likely extinct.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org

Clarence Reserve Sheep are little-known sheep that originated from a feral flock living in Clarence Reserve, Marlborough, NZ. They are almost certainly of Merino origin – descended from escaped sheep brought into the area in the early period of European settlement. Clarence Reserve Sheep have clean faces and bellies and are largely dag free. Such features are typical of sheep which have evolved a resistance to flystrike. The rams have wideset horns. Nearly all of them are white, which is unusual in long-established feral flocks. Th ...

Clun Forest Sheep are a very adaptable breed, living equally happily in the down lands of the South of England or the hills of Wales and Scotland. They have a low mortality rate and are highly resistant to disease. They have an alert appearance with a clean open dark-brown face, with a characteristic covering of wool on the top of the head and ears that are carried high and forward. The body has a strong muscular neck carried high from fine shoulders, lengthy good back, deep rib, strong loin, good hock and a deep and well-rounded rea ...

Comisana sheep are milk sheep from southeastern Sicily. They were developed from Maltese and Sicilian sheep in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, they are raised in Sicily, Southern and Central Italy, Piedmont and Lombardy.

They are white with a reddish-brown face. They have course to medium wool, semi-lop ears, and are polled.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

The Cormo Sheep was developed in Tasmania by I.K. Downie.Mr. Downie crossed Corriedale Rams with 1200 carefully selected superfine Saxon Merino Ewes.

The original selection criteria included: high, clean fleece weight; fiber diameter of 17-23; fast body growth rate and a high rate of fertility.  The result- 1/4 Lincoln, 1/4 Australian Merino, and 1/2 superfine Saxon Merino.

Cormo wool is fast becoming one of the best wool producing breeds in the sheep industry today.

Cormo selling poi ...

Cornella, also known as Cornella White or Cornella Bianca dell'Emilia Romagna, sheep are a common breed from the Bologna Province, Emilia Romagna Region, Northern Italy.

They are white sheep used for milk and meat and are well suited to the hills and plains of Northern Italy.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Cornigliese sheep are descended from Vissana sheep with some Merino and Bergamasca blood. They are from Corniglio, Emilia Region, Italy. They are white with dark spots on face and legs. They are bred for meat, milk, and wool but mainly for meat.

Content and photo source: agrarian.org.

Corriedale sheep were developed in New Zealand and Australia during the late 1800s' by crossing Lincoln or Leicester rams with Merino females. The breeds is now widely found worldwide and are the most common breed of sheep in South America and are widely used throughout Asia, North America, and South Africa. They are, perhaps, the second most populous breed of sheep in the world, after Merinos.

Corriedale sheep are a dual-purpose sheep. They are large-framed, polled, and have good carcass quality. Although they traditiona ...

Corteno, or Pecora di Corteno, sheep belong to the Alpine group of sheep. They are medium-sized white Italian sheep and bread for meat.

Content and photo sheep; Agraria.org.

Cotswold Sheep are a large, polled, longwool breed. The head is carried well up, the back long, ribs well sprung, the frame and legs strong, giving an overall imposing appearance. The head has a pronounced forelock of wool and a white face, with dark skin on the nose. The high quality wool is white, lustrous and long-stapled. Average mature ewe weighs 85kg, rams 140kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

A hill sheep with black face and distinctive white mark on each side of the nostrils, with nose-end becoming grey; legs also have clear black and white markings. Wool is plentiful with dense undercoat and curly on outside. Average mature ewe weighs up to 45-60kg, rams 55-75kg (depending on environment).

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Although there are claims that the Damara breed of sheep originated in Egypt as long ago as 3000 BC, its recognition as a named breed is more realistically dated to the early twentieth century. In 1904, this long-legged sheep breed was seen by German explorers in the northern region of Namibia, which was then called Gross Damaland – hence it became known as the Damara Sheep. At one time, local farmers who used copper in their traditional attire, exchanged Damara Sheep for copper wire and for horses.

In 1954, many Damara Sh ...

Derbyshire Sheep have a clean cut black and white marked face and legs clear of wool. They are polled in both sexes. The Derbyshire Gritstone is a handsome sheep of aristocratic lineage, big, flat bones, strong and alert.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Devon Closewool Sheep are a medium sized, white faced, hornless sheep with a dense white fleece of medium length and staple which contributes to its valued quality of hardiness. Average mature ewe weighs 55-60kg, rams 90kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Devon Longwooled Sheep have a well-covered Head with long curly wool. Both sexes are polled. The body is covered in long curly, white wool. Well-proportioned with a strong wide and long top, with well sprung rib giving plenty of volume. The rear being well muscled with good conformation. Average mature ewe weighs 100kg, rams 136kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Diggers Hill sheep are named after the locality in western Southland, NZ, evolved in a feral state. They have, somewhat confusingly, also been referred to as “Takitimu”, “Dean Forest” and “Fiordlander”, but the term Diggers Hill is preferred and used here.

They appear to be basically of Merino origin, but are distinct enough to be a recognizable breed, although there is some variation in type. They are also typical of New Zealand feral sheep – small body weight, less hair on the extremities, single lambing, and a tendency t ...

Dorper Sheep appear white but they are actually genetically a black sheep with a huge white spot covering its entire body except for the very striking black head (black headed Dorper). The Dorper is a quality meat sheep with all its easy care attributes highly developed like no other breed in the world. The White Dorper has the same breed standards as the Dorper (Black headed) except where color and markings are described. The White Dorper still has all the same labor saving qualities as the Dorper together with a great carcass. ...

Dorset ewes are of medium size and are naturally prolific; skin color is pink whilst the face, legs and ears are white. Rams show a bold masculine appearance and also carry good fleshing throughout. The wool of both the Horn and Poll is of the highest quality, not only is it fine and densely grown but is particularly white which helps it find a ready market in times of plenty. Average mature ewe weighs 85kg, rams 120kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Dorset Down Sheep are active, medium sized short-woolled sheep. They have strong legs that support a deep chested, long sheep with well fleshed hindquarters and fine wool.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

The East Friesian breed originated in the Friesland area in the north of Holland and Germany. In Europe it has been used either purely as a milking breed – it is considered to be the world's highest producing dairy sheep – though it is often crossed with other breeds to improve fecundity and milk production in breeds that are bred for their meat or for their milk production. The East Friesian is described as a large-framed, high-fertility breed with a pink nose and a thin tail.

Some breeders refer to their very quiet tempe ...

Easy Care Sheep are a revolutionary breed of sheep which requires minimal shepherding and veterinary care, sheds its wool in the summer, does not need shearing and yet offers excellent meat yields and lambing ratios. The breed is now well established in Britain and abroad and is proving extremely popular and successful with breeders in today's farming environment.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Epynt Hardy Speckled Sheep are a commercial; easy-care breed with the primary purpose is to perform well in a mountainous environment year round with limited supplementary feeding. They are a long living, good mouthing sheep producing lambs which are easy to finish. They are a heavy boned hill sheep which is stocky and sturdy in stature with a speckled face and legs, of grey brown or black clean of wool. The ewes are polled and the rams usually horned. Their attributes include a strong hefting ability, excellent mothering ability ...

Exmoor Horn Sheep are white faced, with horns, cherry colored skin and a white fleece of medium length and good quality.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Fabrianese sheep are medium-large white sheep bred for meat. They are polled and have a Roman nose.

They are found in Ancona Province, Marche Region of Italy. They originated from local Apennine crossed to Bergamasca sheep.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Finarda Sheep are large white Italian sheep bred for meat found in the Piedmont and Lombardy Regions. They are a composite of Bergamasca and Biellese sheep.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

The Finnsheep or Finnish Landrace originating in Finland in northern Europe. They are an active, hardy animal, adaptable to a wide range of conditions. It is most generally used for crossing to increase fertility in a standard flock. It also brings with it resistance to facial eczema.

They are characterized by high fertility (lambing rates frequently exceed 200 percent) and white, lustrous, bulky fleece. Other recognition features are its naturally short tail, its clear, wool-free face, and its pink nose.

Beside ...

Frabosana sheep are from the Ligurian Alps, Province of Cuneo (Piedmont Region), Italy. They are medium-sized white, sometimes brown, diary sheep. They are rustic and frugal, with a characteristic snub-nosed profile and flattened horns, spiral-shaped in males and backwards in females.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Garessina, also known as Muma or Garessio, sheep are an Italian transhumant (migrating) meat breed found in southeastern Cuneo Province (Piedmont), mainly in Val Tanaro and Val d'Inferno. They are classified as an Apennine breed, and show traces of Merino and French Alpine ancestry. About 90% of them are slaughter as lambs and about 10% are raised for wool. Very rarely they are raised to make cheese from their milk. On the average, ewes lamb twice in three years.

Unfortunately they are considered endangered.

Garfagnina white sheep are a composite of different breeds of the Appennine group; Garfagnana, and North-western Toscana. They are small white goats bred for milk and meat and are well adapted to the local environment (hills).

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Gentile di Puglia sheep, also known as Merino di Puglia, Pugliese Migliorata, Merino d'Italia, or Merino Gentile, are a fine-wooled breed from the Puglia region of southern Italy. They were initially developed in the 15th century but their primary improvement was from the 18th century, onward. They were developed from Spanish Merino crossed with local breeds. Saxony and Rambouillet breeds was introduced during the 19th century. In the last half century the number of head has dramatically decreased.

Gentile di Puglia sheep ...

Gotland Sheep are fine-boned and medium-sized. They have a hornless black head, free from wool, sometimes with white markings. Bold eyes, alert medium sided ears. Small, neat muzzle with even jaw. Slender neck and shoulders set smoothly into a level back with generous length, good depth and reasonable breadth of body. Slender black legs well-spaced and upright. Short hair-tipped tail. Dense long lustrous grey fleece, occasionally black, white or brown. Clearly defined even curl and staple, soft to handle. Calm friendly disposition. Av ...

Hampshire Sheep’s face and ears are a rich dark brown, approaching black, with wool over the poll and forehead. Wool is white with an average staple length. Body deep and symmetrical with ribs well sprung, broad, straight back, flat loins, wide rump and deep heavily muscled hind legs and breast. Legs being strongly jointed and powerful are set well apart. Average mature ewe weighs 80kg, rams120kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Hebridean Sheep are a small, hardy breed with fine bones and a tail reaching no lower than the hocks. Both sexes are horned, and about 10% of animals have four or more horns. Occasionally polled ewes are to be seen but these are genetically four horned and usually produce horned lambs. The animals are entirely black, though the fleece usually goes grey with age. Lambs may have a dark brown appearance because the tips of the fleece have been bleached by the sun. The wool has a stiff, springy quality. It sheds water easily. The face and le ...

“Wild” sheep or “bushies” have long been known to occur in the area around the headwaters of the Waianakarua River, inland from Herbert and Hampden, in North Otago, NZ. This area is at the southern end of the Kakanui Mountains and the northern end of the Horse Range. They originated from “stragglers” that escaped muster on sheep farms, and although occasionally shot, were largely left alone. From about the 1970s serious efforts were made to eradicate these feral animals, partly to facilitate development of some of the land, and partl ...

Herdwicks Sheep are a sturdy, strong boned breed. The rams in particular have a broad chest, noticeably thick-set legs and may have strong horns, although as many as 20% are polled or have relatively small amounts of horn growth. The female sheep are somewhat finer boned and should not have any sign of horns. Purebred Herdwick lambs are born largely black often with tips of white on their ears. As they age, the heads and legs become white and the fleece assumes a color ranging from a slate blue-grey to a light grey. Herdwick sheep are ...

Hill Radnor Sheep are a native hill or mountain breed most commonly found in the Border counties running from the North of Powys down to South West Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. It is a heavy breed which has good body length and width in its hind quarters, standing on well set legs with an abundance of bone. At birth the lambs are full of vitality, exceptionally well coated and gain excellent body weight. Lambing percentages vary under different conditions but the breed can easily average around 155%. The Hill Radnor is a healt ...

Hokonio Sheep are from the Hokonui hills in the heart of Southland, New Zealand, where they have made the rugged and isolated Hokonui Hills their home for more than a century.

At one time more than 2000 Merino sheep roamed the hills. Today only about 100 remain feral. Another 100 to 150 are being retained in domestic flocks.

Wild sheep were known to occur in this area as early as 1863 – only a few years after the first Merinos had been brought to the district.

Re-domesticated Hokonui sheep continue to ...

Icelandic Sheep are a medium-sized, upstanding sheep, with a light frame and a naturally short fluke-shaped tail. Although the majority of them are horned in both sexes, polled rams and ewes are common. The horns of the ram are strong and well rounded; the ewe's horns are finer and usually swept back. Four horned sheep are found occasionally in Iceland, but none have occurred in the UK. The fleece consists of a dual coat of very fine under-wool and an outer coat of long hairs and is found in all the natural colors, including a wide r ...

Ile-de-France Sheep have a strong head with a broad forehead, polled with protruding sockets, face of medium length, lips and nose rather thick. The profile is straight, slightly concave for the ram, with large ears, horizontal or standing slightly upwards, covered with thin short hair. The body is wide and large, broad and deep chested. It has a close white fleece. White covering covers the top of the head and extends down to or slightly above the orbital arches, frames the face, extends to just above the knees of the forelegs, cove ...

Jacob Sheep were traditionally a parkland breed but it is now much more widespread and is found in every part of the British Isles and in several countries around the world. It is an alert and attractive sheep being upstanding and deep bodied. Its white fleece has well defined black patches, the head and neck being mostly black with a white blaze. Both sexes are horned with either two or four horns. Jacob ewes are hardy and excellent mothers who milk well, frequently having twins or triplets. The finished lamb is tender and lean with ...

Kamieniec are a dual-purpose medium-wool sheep from Poland. They were developed between 1954 and 1965 in the Kamieniec farm of the Breeding Center in Susz, near Olsztyn. The starting point was a flock of primitive ewes of the Pomeranian type, from individual farms in the regions of Gdansk and Koszalin or brought from settlers from the East. They were initially crossed with Leine and Texel rams, and then mated to Romney Marsh rams.

After selection, the progeny was interbred in order to obtain genetic consolidation of the ...

Karakul Sheep are a fat-tailed (and fat-rumped) sheep characteristic of the Middle East as well as southern Asia and North Africa (although they were found as far south as the African Cape by the seventeenth century). As the general name implies, they are distinguished by an accumulation of fat in the tail and around the rump which evolved as a store of food necessary for survival in a harsh, drought-prone environment.

Descriptions of such sheep can be found in the earliest records of British exploration, but they have b ...

The development of the breed began in the late 1950’s with the importation of a small number of haired sheep from the Caribbean by Michael Piel of Maine. The Piel Farm had several thousand sheep at the time and Piel felt that “progress in selection for traits important to the production of meat would be greatly enhanced by the elimination of wool as a major factor for selection.” His goal was to combine the hair coat, prolificacy, and hardiness of the Virgin Island sheep with the meat conformation and rate of growth of wool breeds. H ...

Kerry Hill Sheep are a well-balanced sturdy sheep with ears set high and free from wool. A black nose and sharply defined black and white makings on the head and legs. Both ewes and rams are hornless. It is a handsome sheep, with a dense fleece, which is unusually white. The fleece handles well and is amongst the softest of British wools. In both ewes and rams teeth should be regular and meet the pad neither undershot nor overshot. The Kerry Hill sheep are good on their feet and good in their teeth. Average mature weighs 55-65kg, ram ...

Lamon sheep are an Alpine breed, raised for meat. They large and polled with lop-ears and yellow-white wool. Sometimes, rarely, their face and legs are speckled brown or black. Their tail is thin and hangs below the hocks. Horns are absent.

Lamon sheep are one of the few Italian breeds that migrate throughout the year. In the past most Lamon sheep flock migrated every year, but today, most are not migratory. Traditionally Lamon sheep were registration in the town of Lamon in the Belluno Province or northern Italy. They are a ...

Langhe, or Delle Langhe, are high-quality medium-large white dairy sheep, originally from Langhe, Region Piedmont, Italy. Today they are found in the provinces of Cuneo, Asti (Piedmont) and Savona (Liguria).

Content and Photo source: Agraia.org.

Lati, also known as salt Range, Sheep are raised for meat and wool in, and around, the Salt Range hills area in the Punjab Province, Pakistan. They are medium size with white wool and a tan or tan spotted head. Their wool yield is 1.5 kg (medium; fiber diameter 34.9m) with a low fiber density. They have small ears and a medium-sized fat tail.

Laticauda are a white Italian sheep descended from Northern Africa sheep that have developed many of their modern characteristics from subsequent crossbreeds with sheep from the Apennines. Most likely they were imported to Italy at the times of Charles III. They are raised for both meat and milk. Their milk is high-quality and used to produce high-quality pecorino cheese.

They are also known as Barbaresca campana, Bastarda arianese, Beneventana, Casalinga, Casereccia, Coda chiatta, Nostrana.

Content and photo sour ...

Leccese, or Moscia Leccese, sheep are most likely are related from Zackel sheep from Asia. The have a not-so-curled woolly hanging coat.

They have rosy skin and a white coat, with black spots on their breastbone. A black short-haired muzzle, and a plain black or spotted limbs.

In the past they were raised for wool, meat, and milk but today they are mainly bred for milk production.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Leicester Longwool Sheep are perhaps the most historically significant of all sheep breeds in its British homeland, and it is certainly the most famous of the longwools. It was the breed selected for ‘development’ by Robert Bakewell, the most renowned and successful of all the early workers in the field of livestock improvement. Working at Dishley Grange in Leicestershire from 1755, he produced the New – or Dishley – Leicester, which combined the breed’s original hardiness and excellence in the production of a long, heavy fleece with ...

Lincoln Longwool Sheep are the oldest known British longwool and is believed to be ancestral to all the other British longwool breeds. It is recorded as already existing in an established form by 1749, in the marshy fenlands of Lincoln County. It was the greatest rival of the Leicester, although, as they evolved in neighboring counties there is little doubt of their close relationship. Certainly there was considerable interbreeding of these two rather similar sheep.

They are the principal breed to be used with the Merino to de ...

Livo sheep area an indigenous breed from the Valle di Livo in the Lombardy Region of northern Italy. They are medium-sized, have yellow wool, and are raised for meat.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Llandovery Whiteface Hill Sheep are an elite hill breed of sheep. The rams have tremendous scale for a hill breed possessing good length and depth and can be either horned or moiled (without horns).  The sheep have a dense fleece able to withstand the elements of the harsh upland environment.  Both rams and ewes have a clean white face.   For generations the Llandovery Whiteface Hill Sheep has been bred to live and thrive in the areas surrounding the Black Mountain in Carmarthenshire with Llandovery the central market ...

Llanwenog are blackfaced and polled with tuft of clean wool on the forehead, this is a white fleeced, compact sheep with well sprung ribs, a strong loin and thighs. Ears should be fairly short and thin, slightly elevated. Average mature ewe weighs 56kg, rams 90kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Lleyn Sheep are a medium sized lowland sheep weighing up to 70kg at maturity, renowned for their hardiness, prolificacy, easy lambing, strong mothering instinct, milkiness and easy handling. The wool is white free from any colored fibers or kemp and is of good length, dense and of high quality. Heads must be feminine and warm white in color with wide foreheads. Bright lively eyes and a black nose. Medium sized ears with black spots are desirable with the base of the ear starting from the wool. The back should be long with well sprung ...

Lonk Sheep are one of the largest native hill breeds, their face and legs are pure black and white. The fleece is trim and even from head to skirting, white and free from kemp. Both sexes are horned. Average mature ewe weighs 45-54kg, rams 75-91kg.

Source: National Sheep Association

Marrana sheep are raised for meat and have yellow, or sometimes light brown, wool. They are a composite of different breeds of the Appennin; in recent decades there have been many crosses with Bergamasca and Biella sheep. They are from the Ligurian Alps, Italy.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Masham ewes are medium-sized and hornless. They have a good reputation for the ability to perform well in a wide variety of circumstances. Producing quality lambs is what she is bred for with an added bonus of a long stapled fleece. Average mature adult weighs 75kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Massese sheep are raised for carpet wool, milk, and meat production. They belog to the Apennine group and are similar to Garfagnina sheep. They are from Versilia in North-western Toscana, central Italy.

Massese sheep are medium-sized and have grey or brown wool with a dark head. Both sexes are horned and have a distinctive roman-nose.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Matesina sheep are an indigenous breed, descended from Gentile di Puglia and Appenninica sheep. They arefrom province of Caserta, Campania, in southern Italy.

They are medium-sized (males 65 cm, females 60 cm, at the withers) with white-brown wool. They are raised for meat, wool, and milk.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Meatlinc Sheep are a British breed, in the terminal sire category, developed from a breeding program originated by Henry Fell in 1963. It is white faced, tight in the wool, with great length and heavy hindquarters. It is amongst the biggest of the British breeds, a mature ram weighs 140kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Merinizzata Italiana are a buautiful newly-developed breed of sheep. They were developed by crossbreeding Italian Merinos, Gentile di Puglia e Sopravissana, with European Merinos (Ile de Frace, Berichonne du Cher, Merinolandschaf, etc.). The cross breedings were made to develop sheep ideal for meat production. They have a white coat and rosy skin.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org

Merino Sheep are one of the most popular breeds of sheep worldwide. Merino Sheep are raised predominately for wool production. Their wool is prized for being very soft and comfortable against the skin. Merino Sheep originated in Spain, but the modern Merino was domesticated in Australia.

Merino Sheep are excellent foragers and very adaptable. Merino Sheep need to be shorn at least once a year because their wool does not stop growing. If their coat is allowed to grow, it can cause heat stress, mobility issues, and blin ...

The Mohaka feral sheep flock is just one of several of Merino type known to have occurred at various times in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. They evolved around the Mohaka River area behind the historic Tutira sheep station.

Mohaka Sheep are probably of considerable age – feral Merinos were described from this area as early as the 1880s and Merinos were no longer being farmed there to any extent by 1900.

In 1976, scientist Tony Whitaker described the feral Mohaka sheep as comprising several groups which may or may not be ...

Nelson South Wales Mountain Sheep are similar in appearance to the other Welsh Mountain breeds. The main differences are its greater size and the usual presence of tan markings on the face and legs together with a brown collar. The fleece is dense with an even mixture of white kempy fiber.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Nera di Arbus, or Pecora Nera di Arbus ("black sheep of Arbus"), Sheep are medium-small from Arbus in the south west coast of Sardinia, Italy. They are found in the provinces of Cagliari, Nuoro, Oristano and Sassari. Their hair is black, sometimes with shades of gray lead.

They have course wool and it used to produce orbace, a coarse hand-woven cloth, used to produce traditional Sardinian garments.

Content and Photo Source: Agraria.org.

North Country Cheviot (NCC) Sheep are a big, long rugged, white sheep which combines thriftiness and healthiness with prolificacy and strong maternal qualities. The largest of all the UK hill breeds, it is particularly suited to grassy hills and uplands. Average mature ewe weighs 55-65kg hill, 75-90kg upland, rams 75-85kg hill, 95-100kg upland.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

North of England Mule Sheep, also referred to as the 'The Original Mule', has earned the right to be called the most popular lowland ewe in Britain. When crossed with quality terminal sires she has the ability to produce large crops of the quality fat lamb so demanded by today’s markets. Combine this with her great mothering ability, hardiness and general ease of management and it is easy to see why North Of England Mules can be seen throughout lowland Britain.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Nostrana sheep are an indigenous Italian breed, descended from Garfagnina (Apennine Group) sheep. They are from the provinces of Massa-Carrara (Tuscany) and Parma (Emilia-Romagna). They are medium sized (males: 65 cm, females: 60 cm, at withers) with white wool. They are raised for meat and wool.

Content and photo source: Agraia.org.

Noticiana sheep mainly have a white coat with a thin red-brick colored light head. They are mainly reared for milk. They are an autochthonous Sicilian sheep breed comes from Comisana sheep. They area a rustic frugal breed that are well-suitable to harsh environment.

Content and photo source: Agraia.org.

In 1976, Omahaki feral sheep were reported to be found around the confluence of the Ngaruroro and the Taruarau Rivers, in the Eastern Ruahine State Forest, and on the Big Hill and Omahaki stations, New Zealand. There appeared to be several hundred sheep spread over an area of some 7000 hectares of scrubland, screes and bluffs.

Scientist Tony Whitaker noted that the origin of this flock was uncertain but it was known to have existed there for over fifty years. It was probably the remnant of a much larger feral flock that had ...

Oxford, also known as Oxford Down, Sheep are the largest and heaviest of the Down breeds. With a capacity for fast growing and early maturity, it is an ideal crossing ram, producing light carcasses in early lambing flocks earlier than its contemporaries and catching the market whilst prices are good. When kept for heavy lamb production, the heavier carcasses are produced without unwanted fat, being most suitable for today's market.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Pagliarola sheep are from Abruzzo, Molise, and Campania Italy. They are usually yellowish-white but sometimes reddish-black. They are medium-sized (males: 65-70 cm, females: 60-65 cm at withers) and both sexes are polled. They are raised for meat, milk, and wool.

Content and photo source: agrarian.org.

Pinzirita sheep are found in the area surrounding Sicily in southern Italy. They are a coarse-wool breed kept for milk and meat production.They have black or brown marks on the face and legs. The males are horned and the females are polled.

Content and photo source: Agraia.org.

In the nineteen-seventies a feral flock of several thousand sheep could be found on Pitt Island in the Chatham group, New Zealand.

These possibly derived from Saxony Merinos first taken to South-East Island – another island in the Chatham group – in 1841 and later transferred to Pitt Island. In any case, the flock is known with certainty to have been in existence for almost a century.

A Reserve for 300 of these animals was created on Pitt Island in 1981. A number have also been taken to mainland New Zealand ...

Plezzana sheep (also known as Bovska sheep in Slovenia) descend from Zaupel sheep, which were spread all over Europe during the middle ages. They are medium-small sheep (males: 64 cm, females: 60 cm, at the withers). They are multi-purpose sheep. The milk is used for cheese production. The mixed wool is used for the production of loden, felt, and tweed. They are medium framed, thin-legged and finely boned sheep. They have a narrow head and a straight nose profile. They are mostly white, although black-brown and pied animals do occu ...

Pecora Pomarancina sheep are a medium sized white sheep that most likely .evolved from Appenninica sheep. They are found in Tuscany and Siena, Italy. Their milk quality is quite good with a fat content 6/7% and wool, which is principally used for the production of mattresses.

Content and Photo source: Agraria.org.

Pomeranian Coarsewool Sheep, also known as just Pomereranian, or Pommersches Rauhwollschaf; Pommernschaf; or Rauhwolliges Pommersches Landschaf) is an old domestic sheep breed from the Pomerania region (split between Germany and Poland). The first records of similar sheep in Pomerania can be traced to more than 3000 years ago. They are raised primarily for meat and vegetation management.

Pomeranian Coarsewool Sheep are polled (hornless), and have a black head with slate-blue or grey wool on the body; the lambs are born com ...

Portland Sheep are a heathland breed from the Dorset area of the UK – not Portland Oregon or Portland Maine - and a representative of the tan-faced group of breeds from the South West. It is a small animal, the average adult ewe weighing 38-40kg. The legs are an even tan color. The face is a tan color but may have lighter areas around the eyes and muzzle. Some sheep carry a light covering of wool on the forehead but the rest of the face is free from wool. The horns of the ram are heavily spiraled; in ewes they curve through a hal ...

Pusterese, also known as Pustera Gigante, Nobile di Badia, Gadertaler, Tedesca di Pusteria, Sextner, Tauferer, or Aurina, sheep are from Tyrol, Italy. Their coat is white-straw yellow. Neither gender have horns. They are medium sized (males: 75 cm, females: 65-70 cm, at the withers) and are bred for meat and wool.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Quadrella sheep are raised for meat and milk found in the region surrounding Campania, southern Italy. They were formerly a variety of Gentile di Puglia . They are white. Both horned and naturally hornless animals are found.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

The Raglan “Romney” feral sheep were sourced from a bush- and scrub-covered peninsula jutting into the eastern side of Raglan Harbor in the Waikato, New Zealand.

The first group of two rams and four ewes was mustered in April 1976; eight ewes were added in December of that same year. (The peninsula was subsequently cleared of bush – and sheep – and broken in for farming.)

The descendants of this small flock remained in the care of Government farms since that time until mid-2005. Apart from a few rams that were re ...

Romanov sheep originated in the Volga Valley, northeast of Moscow. The name “Romanov” comes from the royal family of Russia. These sheep were first noticed in the 18th century, and were later imported into Germany and then France. In 1980, the Canadian government brought in 14 Romanov ewes and 4 rams for testing and put them into quarantine for 5 years. After that, some were brought to the United States.

Romanov ewes tend to lamb by the litter. Most other sheep give birth to singles and twins, while the Romanov average about 2-5 l ...

Romney Sheep are a dual purpose breed, used for wool and meat, that originated in the Romney Marshes of Kent England. They are one of the world most successful sheep breeds.

They are large framed and carry a heavy long-wooled fleece. They have a broad white face, sometimes with a small woolly top knot. Both sexes are hornless. Rams average 250 lbs., ewes average 175-200 lbs. Their fleece on average their fleece weighs 10-12lbs.

Romney Sheep are very hardy and easy to maintain. Due to their swampy origin, they ...

Rosset sheep are a transhumant (magratory) breed found in western Aosta Province, mainly in the three tributary valleys of the Dora Baltea: Val Grisanche, Val di Rhemes, and Val Savaranche. A small number of rosset sheep can be found with other breeds in several valleys of rivers flowing south from Mt Fallere, and in the Val Pelline. They are kept in small flocks of five to ten heads. They are stall-fed during the winter at the farmsteads in the valley. In the summer, the flocks of many owners are combined into bands of about 500 hea ...

Rouge de L’ouest are medium-sized Sheep. As its name suggests its head, which is hornless, can vary from pink to deep red and is covered with fine hair. The legs are a similar color to the head and are covered in fine hair. The fleece is fine with a short staple which grows into a dense 'jacket' giving the breed ample protection against the harshest weather. Average mature ewes weighs 75-100kg, rams 100-140kg.

Content and Photo Content: National Sheep Association.

Rough Fell Sheep are horned with a black head and a definite white patch on their nose. Their body is large and long with a broad loin, strong frame and legs with a noble carriage. Average mature ewes weigh 50kg and rams weigh 80kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association.

Roussin Sheep are a medium-sized breed that has a brown face and legs. The head and legs are free from wool. Both sexes are polled. Average mature ewe weighs 70-90kg, rams 90-110kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association.

Ryeland Sheep have face’s that are well-wooled and their ears are of medium size, slightly dark in color. Ryeland's heads have no trace of horn. Its chest is broad and fairly deep and has a straight, level back. Its legs are a dull white color, well wooled to knee and hock with strong, compact feet renowned for freedom from foot rot. Its fleece is dense, free from dark fibers, coarseness and kemp. Average mature ewe weighs 50-60kg, rams 75-80kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association.

Saltasassi sheep are from northern Italy. They are medium-small (males: 60-65 cm, females: 55 cm at the withers), they have white wool, and are raised for meat.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Sambucana, also known as Demontina, sheep are an indigenous Italian breed, probably descended from Garessio sheep. They are found in southwestern Cuneo Province (Piedmont), in the valleys of the rivers Bagni, Stura di Demonte, and, formerly, the Maira. The elevation of the valleys is from 1.300 to 2.000 metres, with snow on the ground four to five months of the year.

They have yellow-white wool: about 8 percent of the breed are dark brown or black. Their head is slightly convex; ears are horizontal and small, and the tail ...

Sardinian, also known as Sarda, sheep are an indigenous breed from Sardinia; they are also found in central Italy. They are well adapted to live on karst soils. They are white and raised for milk production.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Savoiarda sheep are an indigenous breed found in the Province of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. They are well-adapted to the local environment (plains and hills).

They are dirty white except for the nose, eyes, ears, and legs, which may have black spots. Their long ears hang horizontally, and their tail is long and thin. Only the rams are horned. They have a mattress type fleece, 120–150 mm long, with no kemp. They are raised for meat, mainly, but also for milk and wool.

Content and photo source: Agraria.org.

Schnalserschaf (also known asUltnerschaf , Val Senales, or Schnalserschaf) sheep are from the province of Bolzano, northern Italy. They are an Alpine meat breed. About 80 percent are white, 15 percent black, and 5 percent are brown. Both genderes are polled.They are raised for meat and wool.

They are derived from local sheep (Steinschaf or Roccia) crossed with Bergamo, and are similar in appearance to the latter, Italy's largest breed. They are stall-fed in the valley during the winter. From late May to late September the ho ...

Scotch Mule Sheep are the progeny of a Blackface ewe and a Bluefaced Leicester ram. They are medium sized, polled and have a mottled brown face while the fine white wool should have a curled appearance (passed down from the sire). Average mature bodyweight 70kg.

Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association

Scottish Blackface, also known as just Blackface, Sheep are the most numerous of British breeds. They are found over a wide spectrum of hill and marginal ground throughout Great Britain and Ireland. All Blackfaces are horned, with black or black and white face and legs. The fleece should be free of black fiber, and can vary from short, fine wool used for carpets and tweeds to strong coarse, which is mainly sold for the Italian mattress trade. Influenced by climate, environment and grazing quality several distinct types have evolved w ...

Shetland Sheep are one of the smallest of the British sheep. The ewes are usually hornless, and the rams have nicely-rounded horns, not too heavy, nor too close together. Their head is well carried, their face is of medium length with a straight nose and bright eyes, the back is straight and of medium length. Shetland Sheep mainly have a white faced and are white wooled, but there are small numbers of Moorit sheep which produce varying shades of wool. The average mature ewe weighs 35kg, rams 45kg.

Content and Phot ...

Shropshire Sheep are medium sized Sheep. They are active and alert. They have a soft black face, with a covering of wool on the poll. Their ears should be soft, black and well set on. Their body is well-fleshed, long, deep and symmetrical, having a broad straight back with well-sprung ribs. Their legs are medium in length, of strong bone and upright joints, well set apart and soft black in color. Their cherry skin is covered in dense, fine quality wool weighing 3-4kg with an average staple of 10cm. Average mature ewe weighs 80kg, ...