Painted Desert Sheep are
spotted hair sheep that receive most of their influence from Mouflon sheep.
Before being established as a separate breed, they were considered by many to
be a parti-colored Corsican. Other early influence came from Merino and Rambouillet
sheep, and a few four-horned individuals stem from Jacob or Churro ancestry.
Long desired by hunters because of the large horns and aesthetic, flashy looks,
the Painted Desert is now popular among exotic and alternative livestock
fanciers.
Painted Desert sheep shed
their short winter wool naturally each spring, leaving a glossy, slick coat.
Their colors can be very wild with mixes of up to four or five colors. They
breed out of season and lamb twice a year, with twins and even triplets
occurring often. They produce a carcass of lean meat without a muttony taste.
Rams must show Mouflon influence by sporting a luxurious mane in addition to
large, heavy horns of homonymous, supracervical or polycerate types. Some ewes
may be horned.
About Painted Desert Sheep
