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Sheep Breeds: Working with Animals

Sheep breeds are differentiated from others. Sheep are very small and adaptable ruminant mammals. Its nutritional requirements are minimal and easily filled in low-tech pastures. Most farms and farms are in small quantities and due to their efficiency in food conversion and the excellent quality of their products are increasingly used for purely productive purposes.

The ewes mainly supply meat, milk, and wool, but also supply man with other products such as manure, skin, and hair. Their development requires a small investment and is very manageable for their quiet temperament.

Sheep Breeds: Working with Animals

List of Sheep Breeds

NameAlternative nameOriginPurposeAcıpayam—TurkeyMeat, woolAdal—EthiopiaMeatAfghan Arabi—AfghanistanMeatAfricanaCamura, Colombian Wooless, Pelona, Red African, Rojo Africana, West AfricanColombiaMeat, woolly itemsAfrikanerCape fattest tailSouth AfricaMeat, pelts honedAfrino—South AfricaMeat, wool, crossbreedingAlai—KyrgyzstanMeat, woolAlcarreña—SpainMeatAlgarve Churro—PortugalMeatAlgerian sheepOuled Jellal, Western Thin-tailedAlgeriaMeatAlpines Steinschaf—GermanyMeat, wool, vegetation managementAltay—ChinaMeatAmerican Blackbelly—United StatesTrophy huntingAnconOtter sheepUnited States—AppenninicaAppenninica, Bariscianese, Chietina Varzese, Perugina del pianoItalyMeatArabi—Iran, IraqMeatArapawa—New ZealandWoolArkhar-Merino—KazakhstanWoolArmenian SemicoarsewoolArmyanskaya PolugrubosherstnayaArmeniaMeat, milkAskanianAskaniyskyUkraineWoolAssaf—IsraelMeat, milkAussiedown—AustraliaMeatAustralian White—AustraliaMeatAwassiIvesi, Baladi, Deiri, Syrian, Ausi, Nuami, GeziriehSouth Eastern Anatolia, Syro-Arabian desertMilkBraunes BergschafBrown Mountain sheepGermanyMeat, vegetation managementBrazilian SomaliBerbera BlackheadSomaliaMeatBrianzola—ItalyMeatBritish Milk sheep—United KingdomMilkBorder Leicester—United Kingdommeat, woolBündner OberlandGraubünden, GrisonsSwitzerlandVegetation managementCalifornia Red—United StatesMeat, woolCalifornia Variegated MutantCVM, Romeldale/CVMUnited StatesWoolCameroon sheep—West AfricaMeatCampanian Barbary—ItalyMeat, milkCanadian Arcott—CanadaMeatCărăbaşăBlack-headed Teleorman TigaieRomania—Castlemilk MooritCastlemilk Shetland, Moorit ShetlandScotlandHobbyCharmoise—FranceMeatCharollais—FranceMeatCheviot—ScotlandMeat, woolBorder CheviotSouth Country CheviotUnited KingdomMeatBrecknock Hill CheviotBrecon Cheviot, Sennybridge CheviotWalesMeatNorth Country Cheviot—ScotlandMeatChios—Island of ChiosMilkCholistani—PakistanMeatChurraSpanish ChurroSpainMeat, milkCigaja—CroatiaWool, milkCikta—HungaryMeatÇine Çaparı—Turkey—Clun Forest—EnglandMeat, milk, woolCoburger FuchsschafCoburg Fox SheepGermanyVegetation managementColumbia—United StatesWoolComeback—AustraliaMeat, woolComisanaLentinese, Red Head, Testa rossa, Faccia rossaItalyMilkCoolalee—AustraliaMeatCoopworth—New ZealandMeat, woolCormo—Australia and New ZealandWoolCorriedale—New ZealandMeat, woolCotswold—United KingdomMeat, woolCriolloCreole, Chilludo, Colombian, Lucero, Pampa, Tarhumara, Uruguayan, VenezuelanCentral AmericaMeatDala Fur sheepDala pälsfårSweden—Dalesbred—United KingdomMeat, woolDagliç—TurkeyMeat, milkDamani—PakistanMeat, woolDamara—NamibiaMeatDanish LandraceLandfår, KlitfårDenmarkWoolDebouillet—United StatesWoolDerbyshire Gritstone—United KingdomMeatDeutsches BergschafWeißes Bergschaf, White Mountain, Deutsches Weisses BergschafGermanyMeat, woolDevon Closewool—United KingdomMeatDevon LongwoolledDevon LongwoolUnited KingdomMeat, woolDohne MerinoDohne, El Dohne MerinoSouth AfricaMeat, woolDorper—South AfricaMeatDorsetDorset Horn, Dorset HornedUnited KingdomMeatDorset Down—United KingdomMeatDrenth Heath SheepDrents HeideschaapNetherlandsVegetation managementDrysdale—New ZealandWoolDuben sheep—BulgariawoolEasycare—United KingdomMeatEast FriesianOstfriesisches MilchschafGermanyMilkEdilbayEdilbaevskaya, EdilbaevKazakhstanMeat, tail fatElliottdale—TasmaniaMeat, WoolEnglish LeicesterBakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester, Improved Leicester, Leicester, Leicester Longwool, New LeicesterEnglandMeatEstonian RuhnuRuhnu maalammasEstoniaMeat, woolElinpelin sheep–BulgariawoolExmoor Horn—ExmoorMeatForystuféLeadersheep, ForystukindIcelandGenetic conservation, herd managementFabrianese—ItalyMeat, milkFaroes—Faroe IslandsMeat, woolFat-tailed sheep (group of breeds)—Africa, Middle East, Near East, Pakistan, Northern India, Western China, MongoliaMeatFinnsheepSuomenlammas, Finnish LandraceFinlandMeat, Wool, Milk, Landscape ManagementFlanders Milk sheep—Belgium—French Alpine sheep—France—Friesian Milk sheep—Netherlands—Fuglestad—Norway—GaddiKangra Valley, BhadarwahIndiaWoolGalicianOvella galegaSpainMeat, milkGalway—IrelandMeatGanjia———Gansu Alpine Fine-woolNorthwestern Chinese Merino, North-West China MerinoChinaWoolGentile di PugliaMerinos d’ItaliaItalyWoolGeschecktes Bergschaf———German Whiteheaded MuttonWeißkopf, Weißköpfiges FleischschafGermanyMeat, woolGhezelRed karaman, GezelNorth West of Iran, AzerbaijanMeat, woolGotlandGotland Pälsfår, Gotland peltSwedenMeat, woolGökçeada—Turkey—Greenlandic sheepkalaallit savaataat, savaGreenlandMeat, woolGreyface Dartmoor—United KingdomMeatGrey TroenderGrå trøndersauNorwayWoolGromark—AustraliaMeat, woolGroningen Milk sheep———Gulf Coast NativeLouisiana Scrub, Pineywoods NativeGulf Coast, United States—Guirra—Mediterranean coast of SpainMeatGuteGutefårSwedenGenetic conservationHampshireHampshire DownUnited KingdomMeatHan———Langzhou Large-tail Han———Small-tail Han—ChinaMeatHanzhong—China—Harnai——Hasht Nagri———Hazaragie———HebrideanSt. Kilda sheepScotlandVegetation managementHeidschnuckeFamily of sheep including
the three breeds belowGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation managementGraue gehörnte HeidschnuckeGrey Horned HeathGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation managementMoorschnuckeWhite Polled HeathGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation managementWeiße gehörnte HeidschnuckeWhite Horned HeathGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation managementHerdwick—EnglandMeatHerik—Turkey—Hill Radnor—WalesMeatHog Island—United StatesWoolHu———Icelandic sheepíslenska sauðkindinIcelandMeat, milk, woolInner Mongolian wool—China—Île-de-FranceDishley MerinoFranceMeatIstrian milkIstrian PramenkaCroatia, SloveniaMeat, milkJacob—United KingdomMeat, wool, hide, petJezersko–Solčava sheepBrillenschaf, Carinthian sheep, Seelaenderschaf, Spectacles SheepSloveniaMeatJuraschaf———Karacabey Merino—Turkey—Kachhi—Pakistan—Kajli—PakistanMeat, milk, woolKamakuyruk—Turkey—Karakul—Central AsiaMeat, milk, wool, hideKarayaka—TurkeyMeat, milk, woolKärntner BrillenschafSpectacled Alpine SheepAustriaMeat, wool, hideKatahdin—United StatesMeatKempen Heath—Netherlands—Kerry Hill—WalesMeatKihnu NativeKihnu maalammasEstoniaWoolKivircik—Turkey—Kooka—PakistanMilkKashmir Merino—KashmirWoolKaragouniko—Greece—Lacaune—FranceMilkLandais———Langhe———Lati———LatxaLachaSpainMilkLeineschaf—GermanyMeat, woolLika sheepLika pramenkaCroatiaMeat, wool, milkLincolnLincoln LongwoolEnglandWoolLithuanian Black-headedLietuvos vietines siurksciavilnêsLithuaniaMeat, woolLlanwenog—WalesMeatLleynDafad LlŷnWalesMeatLohi—PakistanWoolLonkImproved HaslingdenEnglandMeat, woolLuzein sheep———Maltese—Malta—Manchega—SpainMeat, milkManech———Marwari—IndiaMeat, woolManx LoaghtanLoaghtyn, LoghtanIsle of ManWoolMasai—Kenya—Masham—EnglandMeat, woolMassese sheep—ItalyMilkMeatmaster—South AfricaMeatMehraban—IranMeatMerinizzata Italiana—ItalyMeat, woolMerino—Spain, TurkeyMeat, woolArgentine Merino—ArgentinaMeat, woolArles Merino—FranceMeat, woolBooroola Merino—AustraliaWool, researchDelaine Merino—United StatesWoolEast Merino sheep—FranceMeat, woolKaracabey Merino—Turkey—Medium-wool Merino———Merinofleischschaf———Merinolandschaf—GermanyMeat, woolMerino Longwool———Poll Merino—AustraliaMeat, woolSouth African Merino—South AfricaMeat, woolSouth African Meat MerinoSAMMSouth AfricaMeat, woolStrong Wool Merino———Transylvanian Merino—Romania—Ming Black———Moghani———Montadale—United StatesMeat, woolMorada NovaBrazilian WoollessBrazilMeatMoles———NajdiNejdiSaudi ArabiaMeat, milk, woolNamaqua Afrikaner—South AfricaMeat, peltsNaliWestern IndiaIndiaWoolNavajo-Churro sheep—United StatesWoolNewfoundlandNewfoundland LocalCanada—Nellorepalia, jodipi, doraIndiaMeatNilgiri—India—Noire du Velay—FranceMeatNolana sheep———Norfolk HornBlackface Norfolk Horned, Norfolk Horned, Old Norfolk, Old Norfolk HornedUnited KingdomMeatNorth RonaldsayOrkneyScotlandWoolNorthern European short-tailed sheep (group of breeds)—Baltic states, British Isles, Scandinavia, Germany, RussiaMeat, milk, woolNorwegian Fur———Olde English ‘Babydoll’ SouthdownBabydoll SouthdownUnited StatesHobbyOrkhon—MongoliaWoolOssimi———OuessantUshant, Breton Island DwarfFranceWool, hobbyOula———OxfordOxford DownUnited KingdomMeatPag IslandPaška ovcaCroatiaMeat, milkPagliarola———Panama—United StatesMeatPedi sheepBapediSouth AfricaMeatPelibüeyCubano RojoCaribbean, Mexico, South AmericaMeatPerendale—New ZealandMeatPinzirita—SicilyMilkPitt Island—Chatham Islands, New ZealandWoolPolwarth—AustraliaMeat, woolPolypay—United StatesMeat, woolPortland—EnglandMeatPramenkaLička, Istarska, Kupreška or Dubska pramenkaCroatia, Bosnia and HerzegovinaMeat, milk, woolPrianganGarutIndonesiaMeat, ram fightingPolish Heath—Poland—Poll Dorset—AustraliaMeatPolled Dorset—United StatesMeatPomeranian Coarsewool SheepPomeranian Sheep, Rauhwolliges Pommersches LandschafGermanyMeat, vegetation managementQashqai—China—Qiaoke—China—Qinghai Black Tibetan—China—Qinghai Semifinewool—China—Quadrella—China—Quanglin Large-Tail—China—Rabo Largo———RackaOvce cápová, CápoviceHungaryMeat, milk, woolRahmany sheepEl-rahmaniEgyptMeat, milk, woolRambouilletRambouillet Merino, French MerinoFranceMeat, woolRasa Aragonesa—AragónMeatRed EngadineEngadineSwitzerland—Red Karaman—Turkey—Red Maasai—East AfricaMeatRhoen sheep———Rideau Arcott—Canada—Romanov—RussiaMeatRomney sheepRomney MarshUnited KingdomMeat, woolRoslagRoslagsfårSwedenMeat, woolRouge de l’OuestTête rouge du MaineFranceMeatRouge du RoussillonRoussillion RedFranceMeat, woolRough Fell—United KingdomMeatRosa MitchellWalliser Landschaf, Roux du PaysSwitzerlandMeat, woolRoyal White—United StatesMeatRuda—Albania, CroatiaWoolRyaRyafår, Swedish Carpet Wool SheepSwedenWoolRyeland—United KingdomMeatRygja———Sahel-type———SakizÇesmeTurkeyWoolSarja—TurkmenistanWool, meatSanta Cruz—Santa Cruz Island, United StatesWoolSanta Inês—BrazilMeatSardinianBrabei Sarda, Pecora SardaItalyMilkSardi (Moroccan sheep)—MoroccoMeat, milk, woolSchoonebeker———Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf———Schwarzes Bergschaf———Scottish BlackfaceBlackfaced Highland, Kerry, Linton, Scotch Blackface, Scotch Horn, Scottish Highland, Scottish MountainScotlandMeatScottish DunfaceScottish Tanface, Old Scottish Short-woolScotland (extinct)Meat, woolSerraiSerraika, SerronGreece, SerresMeat, milk, woolShetland—Shetland IslandsMeat, woolShropshire—United KingdomMeatSicilian Barbary—Sicily—SkuddeskuddenEstonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, SwitzerlandMeat, vegetation management, feltingSoay—ScotlandMeatSomaliBerbera BlackheadSomaliaMeatSopravissana—ItalyMilkSouth Devon—United Kingdom—South Dorset—United Kingdom—South Hampshire—United Kingdom—Southdown—United KingdomMeatSouth Wales Mountain—Wales—SpælsauOld Norwegian Short Tail LandraceNorwayMeatSpiegel———St. CroixVirgin Island whiteVirgin IslandsMeatSteigar———Steinschaf———Suffolk—United KingdomMeatSumavska—Czech RepublicMeat, milk, woolSwaledale—United KingdomMeat, woolSwedish Fur—Sweden—Swifter———Schweizer Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf———Schweizer Alpenschaf———Såne—DenmarkMeat, peltTaleshi—IranMeatTan [zh]—ChinaHides, meatTarghee—United StatesWoolTautra———Teeswater—United KingdomMeatTEFRom—New ZealandMeat, woolTexel—NetherlandsMeatThalli———Ţigaie—RomaniaMeat, milk, woolTiroler SteinschafPecora della Roccia TiroleseAustriaMeat, woolTouabire———Ţsurcană—RomaniaMeat, milk, woolTukidaleTuki Tuki in New Zealand, then AustraliaMeat, specialty carpet woolTunisTunisian BarbaryTunisiaMeatTuj—Turkey—Türkgeldi—Turkey—Uda—Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, northern NigeriaMeatValachian sheepNative Wallachian sheepCzech RepublicMeat, milk, woolValachian Improved sheep—Czech RepublicMeat, milk, woolValais BlacknoseWallis Blacknose, Walliser Schwarznasenschaf, Blacknosed Swiss, Visp, VisperschafSwitzerlandMeat, woolVan RooyVan Rooy White PersianSouth AfricaMeatVendéen—FranceMeatWaldschaf———Waziri—PakistanMeat, woolWeißes Bergschaf———Welsh Hill Speckled Face—Wales—Welsh Mountain sheepDefaid Mynydd CymreigWalesMeatBadger Face Welsh MountainDefaid Idloes, Badger Faced Welsh Mountain, Welsh Badger-facedWalesMeatBalwen Welsh Mountain sheep—WalesMeatBlack Welsh Mountain sheepDefaid Mynydd DuonWalesMeatSouth Wales Mountain—Wales—Wensleydale—EnglandMeatWest African DwarfDjallonke, Fouta Djallon sheepWest Africa and Central AfricaMeatWhite Horned Heath———White Karaman———White Suffolk—AustraliaMeatWhiteface Dartmoor—United KingdomMeatWhitefaced WoodlandPenistone sheepEnglandMeatWhite Maritza sheep—Bulgaria—Wiltipoll—AustraliaMeatWiltshire Horn—United KingdomMeatXalda—SpainMeatXaxi Ardia—Spain—Xinjiang Finewool—ChinaMeat, woolYankasaNigeriaMeatYellow sheep—Yorkshire—Yemen White—Yemen—Yiecheng———Yoroo———Yunnan Semifinewool—China—Zackel———Zaghawa———Zaian———Zaïre Long-Legged———Zakynthos———Zeeland Milk———Zel———ZelaznaZeleznienskaPolandMeatZemmour———Zeta Yellow———Zlatusha———Zoulay———Zwartbles—NetherlandsMeat, milk, cheeseZulu sheepNguniSouth AfricaMeat

 

Taxonomic Classification of the Sheep

Scientific classificationKingdom:AnimaliaPhylum:ChordataClass:MammaliaOrder:ArtiodactylaFamily:BovidaeSubfamily:CaprinaeGenus:OvisSpecies:O. aries

Worldwide there are 450 breeds of sheep. Some are not specialized in the production of meat, wool or milk, being more used for a double purpose.

In order to differentiate the sheep breeds it is important to observe:

Sheep Breeds of double purpose

1.Corriedale

This race was created by the New Zealanders when crossing Merino x Lincoln. New Zealand is very similar to the region between Concepción and Aysén (Chile). They have adapted to this zone without problems.

2. Romney Marsh

Of English origin, it is raised in flat areas and with high humidity. In Chile, it has adapted to the region between Temuco and Chiloé; Supplying, by its thick wool, to the chilota craftsmanship and to the great industry of mattresses and fillings in general.

3. Meat-producing breeds

The production of meat and wool in these breeds is of intermediate values, having for example productions of 4 to 6 kg of wool and of an intermediate fineness (28 to 30 microns) between the races of wool and of meat.

Meat-producing breeds are characterized by their higher growth rate becoming larger animals at the same age, their meat is leaner, has a higher yield to the benefit, and a better feed conversion efficiency. They have a low production of wool (2.5 to 4 kg) and of little fineness (32 to 35 microns).

4. Suffolk

Suffolk breed is a race of English origin, used to take advantage of the prairies of the hills. It is an agile animal and walker. It has been used to improve native breeds.

5. Hampshire Down

It is a race formed in England, adapted for flat terrain. It is an animal precocious and a very good producer of meat.

6. Finnish Landrace Or Finnsheep

It is of Finnish origin. It is a breed of high prolificacy, with a potential of 200% calving rate (two animals per sheep in each calving) and very early, these characteristics make this breed can quickly replace other breeds within the herd.

7. Texel

Dutch breed developed from the cross of several Creole breeds in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Within the breeds for meat is the one that presents the best skills, obtaining lambs with high growth rate and very lean reaching the optimum weight of work at 40 kilos, 10 kilos more than lamb Corriedale.

8. Border Leicester

Breed native to the city of Leicestershire, England. She is responsible for the breeding and development of the long wool breeds. Fast-growing and therefore the fast presence of lambs in the market.

9. Wool Races

Wool breeds are characterized by a high production of wool (5 to 8 kg) and good quality and fineness (23 to 25 microns). Among them we find:

10. Australian Merino

Australian merino breeds come from the cross of Merino Precoz French x Merino Spanish. It was selected for the production of fine, long and high-density wool. It is a breed well adapted to hot, dry and arid areas.

11. Merino Precoz

Chilean race was obtained from the cross of Merino Early German x Merino Early French.

Production Breeds

Sheep breeds specializing in milk production have been formed mainly in Europe and Israel. These sheep have a more developed udder being their production by lactation much superior to the other races.

The best-known breeds and their origins are:

Race Latxa Sheep

Race Latxa Sheep is the oldest sheep breed in Spain. It has two varieties:

It has recently been introduced in Chile, specifically in the RM, VI, VII, VIII, X, XII regions. The mammary gland or udder is globose, well developed, of thin skin and without wool.

Average weight

Black Face:

Blonde Face:

Assaf Race Sheep

It is a breed created in Israel composed by the cross of the Awassi sheep and the East Friesian sheep. It has a high production of milk, good prolificacy and very suitable for the conditions of the Mediterranean environment.

In addition to being a good dairy sheep, the Assaf breed is known as an excellent breed of meat, because it has a lamb with well-distributed fat, which makes its meatless fat. They are large animals (females = 70kg, and males = 120kg) and have an accumulation of fat at the base of the tail.

Awesome Rare Sheep

It is a nomadic sheep, selected for its high milk production, calm, easy to handle and milking and adaptable to grazing or confinement. Only males have horns.

East Friesian Easter Race

Breed native to northern Germany. It is considered the best producer of milk, but in areas without high temperatures. The tail is thin and woolless, similar to a mouse tail. Races of which skin is produced.

Oveja Raza Karakul

It is native to the Russian province of Turkestan, from poor areas where they only have good food for two months a year, which is why they have a thick tail where they store fat reserves for the restrictive times. Astrakhan, skin used for the manufacture of fine coats, is obtained from lambs sacrificed at the week of age.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep a sheep as livestock, we hope this guide has helped. We have provided information on their evolutionary history and anatomy, which should help give you the knowledge needed for most tasks related to raising them. Whether you are looking to buy or sell your own flock of sheep, want some tips about how best to care for them, or just need more general information about these quadrupedal ruminant mammals in order to better understand why they are so popular with many cultures around the world today—you can find all that here! Good luck caring for your new friends!

As A Reference: Wikipedia


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