Breeds of Sheep - c

Calabrese sheep, alternatively referred to as Sciara or Moscia Calabrese, are indigenous to the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro in the Calabria region of Italy. Thriving in the rugged terrain of the high hills characterized by poor and steep grazing land, these sheep play a vital role in the local agricultural landscape.

Belonging to the group of sheep breeds with soft hanging woolly coats, Calabrese sheep exhibit a distinctive phys ...

California Red are medium-wool meat and wool sheep developed in 1970. They are a cross between Barbados and Tunis sheep.  

Mature rams weigh 225 to 250 pounds and ewes range from 130 to 150 pounds. Both sexes are naturally hornless. Lambs are born a solid rust or cinnamon red color, a color that is retained as they mature.  

At maturity, their fleeces turn a beige or oatmeal color. Their legs and faces are free of ...

California Variegated Mutant Sheep, or simply C.V.M. Sheep, are the result of many crossbreeding started in 1915.

In 1915 A.T. Spencer developed the Romeldale breed. He purchased several New Zealand Romney Rams in 1915 that were brought to the Pan-American exposition in San Francisco. He felt the Romney breed would increase the staple, length, and carcass quality of his Rambouillets. Through many years of selection, the Romeldale bre ...

The Cambridge sheep, renowned for its exceptional prolificacy, stands as a beacon of crossbreeding excellence in the realm of ovine husbandry. With its distinctive dark-faced visage adorning a medium-sized frame, the Cambridge epitomizes versatility and productivity in the pastoral landscape.

Mature rams and ewes of the Cambridge breed boast formidable weights of 100 kg and 67 kg, respectively, embodying robustness and sturdiness chara ...

Cameroon sheep, originating from West Africa, are renowned for their unique hair coat, which eliminates the need for shearing. Unlike traditional wool sheep, Cameroon sheep possess a hair coat that undergoes seasonal changes, particularly in autumn when it develops an additional undercoat. This undercoat is naturally shed after the winter months, showcasing the breed's self-sufficient grooming mechanism.

Renowned for their high reprodu ...

The first sheep were landed on sub Antarctic Campbell Island (over 600 kilometers south of the New Zealand mainland) in 1895 after a grazing lease had been taken up. Two thousand more were introduced in 1901, and a further thousand in 1902. Both of the first introductions are known to have been Merinos, but the last was of an unknown breed - at least some must have been longwools such as Lincolns or Leicesters.

As a result, the Ca ...

Canadian Arcott sheep are raised primarily for meat. As the name suggests, they were developed in Canada. And the later half of their name, ARCOTT, is an acronym for the Animal Research Center in Ottawa. They were developed from crossbreeding Romnelet (6%), North Country Cheviot (7%), Leicester (14%), Ile de France (28%) and Suffolk (37%) sheep. The remaining 8 percent was contributed from Shropshire, Lincoln, Corriedale, East Friesian, Fin ...

Castlemilk Morrit Sheep were developed during the the early years of the 20th century. The late Sir Jock Buchanan-Jardine began a breeding program on his Castlemilk Estate in Dumfriesshire. Using Manx Loghtan, moorit Shetland, and wild Mouflon, he developed a breed to beautify his parkland and provide fine, kemp-free moorit colored wool. On the death of Sir John Buchanan-Jardine the flock was dispersed in 1970, and six ewes and a ram were b ...

Charmoise sheep are characterized by their polled (hornless) nature, white faces, and white legs. They boast a deep body covered in a dense fleece of excellent quality. Known for their outstanding conformation, Charmoise sheep have short necks, well-muscled loins, and robust gigots (hindquarters). Despite their substantial build, they are light-boned, displaying agility and liveliness from birth.

On average, mature ewes of the Charmois ...

Charollais Sheep are a medium to large sized sheep. They are long and well-muscled with thick, deep gigots. The body is long with a well-muscled broad loin and wide deep chest. The head is free from wool, pinkish/grey in color sometimes with spots. The line of the shoulders should retain a wedge shape which is so important for ease of lambing. The legs are clean, quite short, colored but never very dark. The front legs should not be set too ...

Near the southwest corner of the main island of the Chatham group in New Zealand, there exists a small flock of feral sheep exhibiting certain Merino characteristics, suggesting that they may predate the islands' transition to longwool breeds.

It is believed that these feral sheep on Chatham Island have been living wild for almost a century, possibly originating from Saxon Merinos that were taken to South East Island (another island in ...

Cheviot sheep originated in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland. They were introduced to the U.S. in 1838. Border Cheviots are small, hardy sheep that spend their lives on the moors. In the U.S., they have become larger than their ancestors from the UK, so the Brecknock Hill Miniature Cheviot registry was formed to preserve the original size. The registry recently dropped "Brecknock Hill" from its name to differentiate American M ...

Cheviot Sheep, characterized by their distinctive white faces, are a breed of Hill sheep originating from the Scottish Borders. Known for their hardiness and adaptability to rugged terrains, Cheviots have several distinctive physical features.

In particular, the ewes of this breed exhibit fine, hard white hair on their faces over the crown, giving them their characteristic appearance. Additionally, their legs are adorned with a similar ...

Chios are semi-fat-tailed milk Mediterranean sheep. Like many breeds, the exact origin of the Chios is unknown. Some sources suggest it is the result of crossbreeding between local sheep of the island of Chios (Greece) and breeds from Anatolia (Turkey). The Chios is typically white with black, occasionally brown, spots around the eyes, and on the ears, nose, belly and legs. The entire head is often black.  

Female conformation ...

Cholistani sheep are from Pakistan. Though they grow wool, they are raised primarily for meat.  

They have a black to brown head and ears with a white body. They have stubby, small ears and a long tail.  

Mature rams weigh 48.5 kg (107 lb) and ewes weigh 34 kg (75 lb). Their average height at the withers of mature rams is 75 cm (30 in) and ewes is 66 cm (26 in). At birth and on average, rams weigh 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) a ...

Churra sheep, raised in the region of Castile and Leon in northwestern Spain, are primarily known for their role in milk production. This breed is esteemed for its remarkable hardiness, making it well-suited to the continental climate characterized by long, severe winters, brief springs, and hot, dry summers prevalent in the region.

The milk of Churra sheep holds particular significance in Spanish culinary traditions, notably in the pr ...

Ciavenasca sheep are a distinctive breed known for their unique characteristics and historical significance. Originating from the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Ciavenasca sheep are an integral part of the local agricultural landscape.

These sheep are medium-sized and have a notable white fleece, which is prized for its quality and versatility. The fleece is typically fine and dense, making it suitable for various textile applicati ...

Cikta sheep, introduced to Hungary by German settlers during the 18th century, have established themselves as a prominent breed in the region. While they do produce wool, their primary focus is on meat production, aligning them with the preferences of local agricultural practices. Belonging to the Mountain Group of sheep breeds, Cikta sheep exhibit characteristics that make them well-suited for the terrain and climate of Hungary.

These ...

The Cine Capari sheep, originating from the Aydin Province in Turkey, are a notable fat-tail breed known for their distinctive characteristics. While they are predominantly white in color, it is not uncommon to find individuals with light brown to dark black spots on their feet and belly, adding to their unique appearance.

At maturity, ewes of the Cine Capari breed typically weigh around 38 kg (84 lb), reflecting their moderate size. H ...

The Ciuta sheep, once a proud emblem of the Italian mountain landscape, stood as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of livestock in challenging environments. Bred primarily for their succulent meat, these white-coated sheep were revered for their robust constitution and ability to thrive amidst the rugged terrain of the Italian mountains.

However, despite their historical significance and intrinsic value to local agricultur ...

Clarence Reserve Sheep, shrouded in the mystique of their Marlborough origins, emerge from the shadows as a breed steeped in the rugged heritage of New Zealand's pastoral landscapes. Born from the remnants of a feral flock nestled within the Clarence Reserve, these enigmatic sheep trace their lineage to a bygone era of European settlement, where intrepid Merino ancestors roamed the untamed wilderness.

Bearing the hallmarks of their res ...

Clun Forest Sheep are a very adaptable breed, living equally happily in the down lands of the South of England or the hills of Wales and Scotland. They have a low mortality rate and are highly resistant to disease. They have an alert appearance with a clean open dark-brown face, with a characteristic covering of wool on the top of the head and ears that are carried high and forward. The body has a strong muscular neck carried high from fine ...

Coburger Fuchsschaf are a breed of landrace sheep that were almost extinct.

In the 19th century Coburger Fuchsschaf populated the European hilly ranges abundantly. These red fox-colored sheep could be found under names that indicated their color or living area, such as Golden Fox, Eisfelder Fox Sheep, Eifeler Sheep, Ardenais Solognotes, or Rousse Tetes. In the beginning of the 20th century, 60% of the sheep in the German Coburg area ...

Columbia sheep were one of the first sheep to originate in the United States. They are the result USDA and university research. Development began in 1912 in Laramie, Wyoming. Lincoln rams were crossed with Rambouillet ewes. In 1918, the foundation flock was moved to the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station near Dubois, Idaho, for further refinement.  

Though originally bred for range conditions, the Columbias have found widespread a ...

Comeback sheep originated in Australia. They were first developed by crossing a British long-wool cross back to a Merino sheep. But more recently, the type has been produced by crossing some popular sheep breeds such as Corriedale and Polwarth with Merino. The main aim of the cross was to develop a finer, better style of wool. Wool of the Comeback sheep style is also produced by Cormo, Bond, and Polwarth sheep. And these breeds may prove eas ...

The Comisana sheep, revered as milk producers hailing from the picturesque landscapes of southeastern Sicily, embody a rich heritage shaped by centuries of meticulous breeding. Originating from the fusion of Maltese and Sicilian sheep during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these resilient creatures have become synonymous with dairy farming traditions across Italy.

Adorned in a pristine white fleece that symbolizes purity, Comis ...

Coolalee sheep are Australian short wool, meat sheep breed, developed from an eight-year breeding program commenced in 1968. The breed resulted from the crossing of the Wiltshire Horn, Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Poll Dorset, Lincoln and English Leicester sheep.

The first Coolalee rams became commercially available in 1983. These rams are used as terminal sires for prime lamb production.

Coolalee sheep have shown considerable promi ...

Coopworth sheep are medium-sized, dual-purpose animals characterized by their white faces and an alert yet calm temperament. Originating in New Zealand during the 1960s, Coopworth sheep are the result of crosses between Border Leicester and Romney breeds. They were later introduced to the United States in the late 1970s and have since become one of the most prominent breeds in New Zealand.

Known for their high productivity, Coopworth s ...

Cormo Sheep were developed in Tasmania by I.K. Downie through a systematic breeding program. Mr. Downie crossed Corriedale Rams with 1200 carefully selected superfine Saxon Merino Ewes to create the Cormo breed.

The breeding program for Cormo sheep emphasizes scientific measurement of commercially desirable characteristics such as clean fleece weight, fiber diameter, growth rate, and fertility. The name "Cormo" is derived from the comb ...

In the picturesque landscapes of the Bologna Province in Northern Italy, amidst the rolling hills and verdant plains of Emilia Romagna, roams the Cornella sheep, also affectionately known as Cornella White or Cornella Bianca dell Emilia Romagna. These woolly denizens of the Italian countryside are a common sight, blending seamlessly into their pastoral surroundings.

Draped in pristine white coats, the Cornella sheep are emblematic of p ...

Cornigliese sheep, hailing from the picturesque town of Corniglio in the Emilia Region of Italy, embody a rich tapestry of ancestry and purpose. Descended from Vissana sheep infused with traces of Merino and Bergamasca lineage, these resilient creatures epitomize the pastoral traditions of their storied homeland.

Clad in a pristine white fleece adorned with dark spots on their face and legs, Cornigliese sheep exude a rustic charm that ...

Corriedale sheep were developed in New Zealand and Australia during the late 1800s by crossing Lincoln or Leicester rams with Merino females. The breeds is now widely found worldwide and are the most common breed of sheep in South America and are widely used throughout Asia, North America, and South Africa. They are, perhaps, the second most populous breed of sheep in the world, after Merinos.

Corriedale sheep are a dual-purpose shee ...

Corteno sheep, also known as Pecora di Corteno, emerge as stalwart members of the Alpine lineage, embodying the rugged spirit of their mountainous habitat. These medium-sized sheep, cloaked in pristine white wool, epitomize the enduring essence of Italian pastoral tradition.

Bred primarily for their succulent meat, Corteno sheep exemplify the harmonious interplay between nature and husbandry in the Alpine regions. With a heritage steep ...

Cotswold Sheep, characterized as a large, polled, and longwool breed, possess distinct features that contribute to their imposing appearance. With a head carried proudly upward and a long back, coupled with strong frames and legs, Cotswold Sheep exude a commanding presence. Notably, their head is adorned with a prominent forelock of wool, and they boast a white face with dark skin on the nose, adding to their unique visual appeal.

One ...

Criollo sheep are the highlands of Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela and Guatemala over hundreds of years. They are known by some other names such as Venezuelan, Uruguayan, Tarhumara, Colombian, Lucero, Creole, Chilludo, and Pamba. Spanish settlers brought the Churra with them in the mid sixteenth Century. The Churra is believed to be the ancestor of the modern day Criollo sheep. Today, they are raised mainly for meat prod ...