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There are decisions to make in raising sheep as there are many varieties, types of wool, breeds, etc. There are fine, medium and long wool breeds. I will list and describe the breeds below:
Fine-Wool Breeds
American Merino- Originated in Spain, most rams have horns, but there are some polled strains. The color is white with reddish brown spots that occasionally appear on lips, ears, and pasterns. These have more wrinkles than the Delaine Merinos. They have strong flocking instinct and the ewes will breed out of season.
Debouillet- Originated in the United States. the rams may have horns and the color is white. The body is smooth with a long staple.
Delaine Merino- Originated in Spain. Most of the rams will have horn, but some are polled, the female will be free of horns or scurs. The color is white with reddish brown spots that may appear on the pasterns, ears and lips. The body is smooth, there is a strong flocking instinct and the ewes will breed out of season.
Rambouillet- Originated in France. The rams have horns, ewes are hornless, and there are some polled strains. The color is white with reddish brown spots that may appear on the pasterns, ears and lips. The body is smooth, they have a strong flocking instinct and the ewes will breed out of season.
Medium Breeds
Chevlot- Originated in Scotland. Box sexes are polled. They have a white face with a black nose and black spots will often appear on their ears. These are the largest fine-wool breed, have a strong flocking instinct and ewes will breed out of season.
Dorset- Originated in England. There are both horned and polled strains that are identical except for the presence or absence of horns. The color is white and practically free from wool.
Finnsheep- Originated in Finland. The head is free of wool, both sexes are usually hornless and only a few rams have light horns. The color is white. There is prolificacy in ewes and they average two lambs per litter.
Hampshire- Originated in England. Both sexes are hornless, but some rams have scurs. The color is rich deep brown, approaching black. The size is large and they will mature early.
Montadale- Originated in the United States. Box sexes are polled, the head is free of wool and the color is white. They have black hoofs and nose, with black spots in their ears.
North Country Chevlot- Originated in Scotland. The nose is straight to slightly Roman and the rams are sometimes hornless. The color can vary from grey to brown and they are the largest of the down breeds.
Shropshire- Originated in England. Both sexes are polled, some rams have scurs. The face is dark, and sometimes there is a gray nose. There is a covering of dense wool well over the poll.
Southdown- Originated in England. Both sexes are polled, some rams have scurs. The color is light or mouse brown color. There is superior conformation and quality of carcass.
Suffolk- Originated in England. Both sexes are polled, the rams can have scurs. The color is light or mouse but a brown color is preferred. There is a superior conformation and also quality of the carcass.
Suffolk- Originated in England. Both sexes are polled, rams sometimes have scurs, color is very black on the head, ears and legs. Head and ears are entirely free of wool.
Tunis- Originated in North Africa. Both sexes are polled, they have long, drooping ears, and the head is free of wool. They have pendulous ears and will mate most any time of the year. The color is reddish brown to bright tan.
Long-Wool Breeds
Cotswold- Originated in England. Both sexes are polled, rams sometimes have scurs. They are white
but sometimes have grayish specks and bluish tinge. These have natural wavy ringlets or curls and the fleece hangs all over the body. There is a tuff of wool on the forehead. They are second only to the Lincoln in size.
Leicester- Originated in England. Box sexes are polled and the color is white with bluish tinge or black spots.
Lincoln- Originated in England. Box sexes are polled, color is white, black spots may appear but are not welcome. This is the largest of all breeds of sheep, rams can weight up to 375 pounds and ewes to 275 pounds. They will produce the heaviest fleece of any mutton breed.
Romney- Originated in England. Both sexes are polled, open faced and white. These are short legged, more rugged and the fleece is shorter, finer, and less open.
Crossbred-Wool Breeds
Columbia- Originated in the United States. Both sexes are polled, color is white and they are open-faced, with no tendency to wool blindness.
Corriedale- Originated in New Zealand. Both sexes are polled, color is white with dark points, some black spots are sometimes present.
Panama- Box sexes are polled, color is white.
Targhee- Originated in the United States. Both sexes are polled, open-faced and white with moderately low set, and have a long productive life.
Carpet-Wool Breed
Black-faced Highland- Originated in Scotland, both sexes have horns and are black of mottled. They have a striking stylish appearance with long coarse outer coat and a fine inner coat.
Fur-Sheep Breed
Karakul- Originated in Asia, rams have horns but ewes are hornless, color is black or brown. They have drooping ears, fat tails and the lamb pellets are suitable for fur production.
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