Breeds of SheepBreeds of Sheep

AgSc 102AgSc 102

Ms. WellerMs. Weller

Delaine MerinoDelaine Merino

Originated from Originated from the Spanish the Spanish MerinoMerino

Smooth bodySmooth body White-faced with White-faced with

white legswhite legs Extremely hardyExtremely hardy Head and legs Head and legs

covered with woolcovered with wool

RambouilletRambouillet

Developed in Developed in France, but France, but descendant of the descendant of the Spanish MerinoSpanish Merino

First introduced to First introduced to U.S. in 1840U.S. in 1840

Large, wide head Large, wide head with white hair with white hair around nose and around nose and earsears

Body fleece is close Body fleece is close and compactand compact

CheviotCheviot

Originated in Originated in ScotlandScotland

First brought to First brought to the U.S. in 1838the U.S. in 1838

White, wool free White, wool free facesfaces

Nose, lips, and Nose, lips, and feet are blackfeet are black

Usually polledUsually polled

DorsetDorset

Originated in Originated in EnglandEngland

First brought to U.S. First brought to U.S. in 1885in 1885

Face, ears, and legs Face, ears, and legs white & practically white & practically free from woolfree from wool

Horned and polled Horned and polled varieties existvarieties exist

Widely used in U.S.Widely used in U.S.

HampshireHampshire

Originated in Originated in Hampshire County, Hampshire County, EnglandEngland

Black face, ears, Black face, ears, and legsand legs

Ears, face, and legs Ears, face, and legs below the knee below the knee free from woolfree from wool

Used as a market Used as a market lamblamb

PolledPolled

OxfordOxford

Originated in Originated in EnglandEngland

First brought to First brought to U.S. in 1846U.S. in 1846

Top knot in front of Top knot in front of ears and between ears and between the eyesthe eyes

Face, ears, and Face, ears, and legs vary in color legs vary in color from gray to brownfrom gray to brown

PolledPolled

SouthdownSouthdown

Originated in Originated in EnglandEngland

First brought to First brought to U.S. in 1803U.S. in 1803

Face, legs, and ears Face, legs, and ears are light brownare light brown

Wool covers face Wool covers face and legsand legs

PolledPolled Excel in carcass Excel in carcass

quality and body quality and body confirmationconfirmation

SuffolkSuffolk

Originated in Originated in EnglandEngland

First brought to U.S. First brought to U.S. in 1888in 1888

Black face, legs, & Black face, legs, & ears and all free ears and all free from woolfrom wool

PolledPolled Ewes are very Ewes are very

prolificprolific

ColumbiaColumbia

First breed to be First breed to be developed in U.S.developed in U.S.

Open face, white Open face, white hair on face & feet, hair on face & feet, hooves are white or hooves are white or blackblack

Suited to western Suited to western rangeland rangeland conditionsconditions

Polled Polled

CorriedaleCorriedale

Developed in New Developed in New ZealandZealand

First brought to First brought to U.S. in 1914U.S. in 1914

Face, ears, and Face, ears, and legs are whitelegs are white

PolledPolled Dual purpose Dual purpose

breedbreed

Information from Instructional Materials Services Curriculum Information from Instructional Materials Services Curriculum #8395#8395