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
develop the Corriedale. The Lincoln Longwool was eventually replaced by the
Romney in New Zealand and today it is reduced to a few thousand animals mainly
used for crossing to produce the Halfbred.
Content and Photo Source: New Zealand Rare Breeds
(www.rarebreeds.co.nz).
About Lincoln Sheep
