Breeds of Sheep - A

Acipayam sheep are a versatile and multi-purpose breed originating from Turkey, where they have been carefully developed over time through strategic crossbreeding of Awassi and Daglic sheep. This deliberate breeding program has resulted in a breed that excels in various agricultural roles, including wool production, milk production, and meat yield.

Mature Acipayam rams typically reach an average weight of 65 kg (140 lb), while ewes rea ...

Adal are raised for meat and are from Ethopia. They are mainly found in the region surrounding Dancalia in northeastern Ethiopia. They are a hair sheep breed.

Adal sheep are smaller sized and unicolored from white to dark brown. Occasionally they are also pied or dark brown. They generally have short ears, and often earless. Both rams and ewes are generally polled (without horns).

Their average birth weight is around ...

Afghan Arabi sheep, native to northern Afghanistan, are renowned for their suitability for both meat and milk production. These fat-rumpled sheep are predominantly polled and are characterized by their distinctive long, pendulous ears.

In terms of appearance, Afghan Arabi sheep typically exhibit a coat coloration ranging from grey to black, often with white markings on their face. Mature ewes of this breed have an average height of app ...

Africana sheep, also recognized by various names such as Pelona, Camura, Red African, Rojo Africana, Colombian Wooless, or West African sheep, are a breed primarily found in Colombia and Venezuela. These sheep bear a striking resemblance in terms of size and confirmation to Pelibuey sheep.

Typically, Africana sheep exhibit a range of brown hues, varying from tan to brown, cherry-red, and even dark red. Their distinctive coloring adds t ...

Afrino are a fine wool, dual-purpose sheep.

During the late 1960s, a request was made to the Department of Agriculture by the wool industry, via the South African Agricultural Union, to develop a white-wooled breed for extensive sheep grazing areas. In 1976, it was evident that the crossing of 25 percent Merino, 25 percent Ronderib Afrikaner, and 50 percent South African Mutton Merino best fulfilled the requirements set for the ...

Alai sheep, originating from Kyrgyzstan, are a versatile dual-purpose breed prized for their meat and wool. These hardy animals are well-suited to thrive in the challenging conditions of the Alay Valley region, which lies at elevations exceeding 3 km (1.9 mi) above sea level.

These sheep typically display a white coat with occasional spots adorning their legs and heads. Their semi-coarse wool is highly valued, often finding use in the ...

Alcarrena sheep, a breed prized for its medium-wooled meat, originates from the La Alcarria, Guadalajara, and Cuenca regions of New Castille, Spain. Belonging to the Entrefino type, these sheep exhibit a distinctive appearance, with some individuals showcasing light-brown markings on their head and legs, while others may be entirely black in coloration. Notably, both male and female Alcarrena sheep are polled, lacking horns. This breed's adaptati ...

Algarve Churro sheep, native to Portugal, are primarily raised for their meat-producing capabilities. These sheep typically display a white coat adorned with distinctive black spots on their feet and heads. Interestingly, around 10% of Algarve Churro sheep feature a striking all-black coloration.

Mature rams of this breed typically reach an average height of 95 cm (37 inches) at the withers and weigh approximately 75 kg (170 pounds). I ...

Algerian Arab sheep, also recognized as Ouled Jellal or Western Thin-tailed sheep, are a prevalent breed spread across Algeria, particularly thriving in arid climates. Thought to have evolved from the Tadmit sheep native to Algeria, they are well-suited to endure harsh environmental conditions.

Primarily bred for meat, Algerian Arab sheep also provide carpet-grade wool, though meat production is their primary purpose. They boast a whit ...

Alpagota, also known as Pagota, sheep hail from various regions of Italy, including Lamon, Vicentina, and Istriana in the provinces of Belluno and Venezia. These sheep are ideally adapted to thrive in the rugged terrain of the local hills and mountains.

Alpines Steinschaf are mountain sheep from the Eastern Alps of Austria and southern Germany. They are used for wool and meat… and for keeping the grass down.

Alpines Steinschaf sheep are fine-boned and small to medium sized. Rams weigh 55 to 80 kg (121 to 176 lb), and ewes 40 to 60 kg (88 to 132 lb).

They are found in all coat colors and sometimes their face and ears are marked with black. Their face and lower legs ar ...

Altamurana sheep, native to the sun-drenched landscapes of the Bari and Foggia Provinces in the Apulia Region of southern Italy, represent a resilient and versatile breed of medium-sized milk sheep.

Distinguished by their pristine white coats occasionally adorned with dark spots on their faces, Altamurana sheep exhibit a remarkable ability to thrive in arid soils, reflecting their adaptation to the challenging environmental conditions ...

Altay sheep, native to the dry, cold mountain basins of China, are recognized for their unique characteristics and suitability for diverse purposes.

Primarily known for their fat-rumped structure, Altay sheep are commonly raised for their wool, which is often utilized for carpet production. Each shearing yields an average of 2.5 to 3.5 pounds (1.3 - 1.5 kg) of wool, prized for its quality and durability. Additionally, Altay sheep are v ...

American Blackbelly sheep are a composite breed resulting from the crossing of Barbados Blackbelly with Mouflon and Rambouillet breeds. As the name implies, the underbelly of the American Blackbelly is black, as is the inside of the legs, the back part of the thighs, and the hair inside the ears. Two black facial barbs extend down the muzzle medial to the eye, giving the breed an exotic appearance.

Through selective breeding, the Ame ...

Ancon sheep have long bodies with short legs. Their fore-legs are crooked. This type of sheep was bred from a single Massachusetts, USA, lamb. The Ancon sheep are quite desirable because they cannot jump over fences. The Ancon name has been applied to other strains of sheep. Scientists used the Ancon for genetic research and after it was no longer needed for study it was allowed to become extinct. Excavations of the Ancon have been done in ...

Apennine sheep (also known as Appenninica, Bariscianese, Chietina Varzese, or Perugina del piano) are white sheep that were found in the 1970s in central Italy, mainly in Toscana, Emilia, Umbria, arche, Abruzzi regions of Italy. They were developed by crossbreeding the local breed with other Italian or exotic breeds such as: Bergamasca and Ile-de-France. There are an estimated 250,000 heads, spread out over central and southern Italy.

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Arabi, also known as Afghan Arabi, Sheep are fat-rumped sheep from Northern Afghanistan. They typically have long pendulous ears; they also generally have black or white faces. The Arabi rams have horns and the ewes are polled (hornless). They are raised for meat and wool production.

Most likely Arabi sheep are descended from very ancient importations from Arabia across the narrow Bal-el-Mandeb Straits at the mouth of the Red Sea ...

The Aragonesa sheep, a breed renowned for its dual-purpose utility, strikes a harmonious balance between meat production and medium wool quality. Nestled within the rustic landscapes of Spain, they emerge as a prominent figure in the nation's agricultural tapestry, holding the distinguished title of the second most significant breed following the esteemed Merino lineage.

Rooted in a rich heritage of Spanish sheep husbandry, the Aragone ...

Historical accounts trace the presence of sheep on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand back at least 130 years. It is believed that the Arapawa feral sheep population originated from escapees of Merino sheep flocks. Despite their initial ungainly appearance and ragged fleece, Arapawa sheep exhibit unique characteristics that set them apart.

Arapawa sheep are relatively small in size, characterized by a lean and ligh ...

Argentine Merino sheep, originating from Argentina, are renowned as dual-purpose animals, valued for both their fine wool and meat production capabilities. This breed was meticulously developed through strategic crossbreeding programs that involved several breeds to attain desirable traits.

The foundation of the Argentine Merino breed began with Criollo sheep, the indigenous sheep of South America. These Criollo sheep were crossed with ...

Arkhar-Merino sheep were developed at the Kurmektinski research station between 1934 to 1949 in Kazakhstan. They were produced by crossbreeding wild Arkhar rams and Precoce merino ewes.

In 1994 Arkhar-Merino sheep were transferred to Arasbaran research station which is attached to the Research Center for Natural Resources and Domestic Animals of East Azerbaijan.

Arkhar-Merino sheep have a firm and expanded skeleton ...

Arles Merino is one of worlds 20 merino sheep breeds. They were developed in the South of France, by using local merino, Spanish merino (Est a Laine Merinos) and Australian Booroola sheep. The sheep were first selected by the greatest amount of wool and fine wool. However, currently the primary breeding goal is milk production of ewes and the rapid growth of lambs. In addition, those specimens are preferred for breeding who make the breed le ...

Armenian Semicoarsewool sheep, primarily found in Armenia, are a versatile dual-purpose breed renowned for their medium-wool fleece and fat tail. Developed through selective breeding, they represent a blend of Rambouillet and Lincoln sheep with Balbas sheep, resulting in a breed prized for both milk and meat production.

These sheep are typically medium to large in size, boasting a predominantly white coat with a matching white face. Bo ...

Askanian, also known as Askaniysky or Askanian Fine Fleece, sheep are from Ukraine. They were developed in the early 1900s at Askania Nova by crossing American Rambouillet with Merino sheep. There were over 1.6 million Askanian sheep in 1980. Today the breed is raised mainly for it’s fine quality wool.

They are medium to large sized sheep. They are mainly white and are unicolored with a white face. Their face is generally free of ...

Assaf sheep are the result of crossbreeding between Awassi and East Friesian Milk sheep. In 1955, researchers of the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization (A.R.O) started this project aiming to improve the fecundity of the Awassi sheep. A combination of 3/8 East Friesian and 5/8 Awassi blood emerged as the best cross.

Most dairy sheep breeders in Israel have adopted the Assaf, which is considered not only a top quality dairy ...

The Aussiedown breed, hailing from the pastoral landscapes of Australia, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of sheep breeding in the modern era. Emerging onto the agricultural scene in the early 1990s, these robust and sizable sheep have since carved out a niche for themselves, primarily thriving in the verdant pastures of New South Wales and Victoria.

Born from a strategic crossbreeding program, Aussiedowns are the successful outc ...

Although Australian Merino sheep derive their name and basic appearance from the Spanish merino breed, they are a distinct breed in their own right. They have been developed and adapted in Australia to the specific conditions of this country.  

More than 80 percent of all Australian sheep are pure Merino, with most of the remainder at least part Merino blood. Merino is grown primarily for its heavy fleeces of fine wool. Merino ...

Australian Whites are Australian meat sheep which was developed for Australian conditions. Australian White sheep are a stabilized composite haired meat breed comprising White Dorper, Van Rooy, Poll Dorset and Texel genetics. The development aim was to produce a unique Australian white, shedding sheep breed to quickly produce large framed, heavy lamb carcases. Additionally, walking or mobility ability, good fertility and mothering instincts ...

Avranchin are a grassland breed of sheep. They are hardy and well-adapted to a ocean climate, usually living outdoors in small flocks. They are one of the most prolific French breeds. They have a large or medium-sized frame. They produce lambs of good butchering quality, with very fine textured meat.  

The selection of the Avranchin sheep breed tends towards the maintenance of high prolificacy (the optimum sought is the ewe whi ...

Awassi evolved as a nomadic sheep breed through centuries of natural and selective breeding to become the highest milk producing breed in the Middle East. They are similar to the Near Eastern fat-tailed type. They are used for milk production and carpet wool.

The average Awassi ewe has single lactations over 300 liters (650 pounds) per 210-day lactation, and it is not uncommon for outstanding females to have 210 day lactations above 7 ...