Breeds of Sheep - l

Lacaune sheep are the most numerous sheep breed in France. They have been selected in France for increased milk production under a sophisticated selection program incorporating artificial insemination, milk recording, and progeny testing of sires for longer than any other dairy sheep breed in the world.  

Annual genetic improvement for milk yield in the French Lacaune is estimated at 2.4% or 5.7 kg (12.5 lbs). Lacaune ewes pro ...

The Lamon sheep, a robust and resilient Alpine breed, have long been cherished for their valuable contributions to the pastoral traditions of northern Italy. With their large, polled frames and distinctive lop-ears, they epitomize the rugged beauty of mountain-dwelling livestock. Adorned in coats of yellow-white wool, occasionally adorned with speckles of brown or black on their face and legs, they present a striking sight against the backdrop of ...

Landschaf sheep are a distinctive breed resulting from a cross between German and Dutch heath sheep with a marsh sheep lineage. Originating in the northern German Emsland area, particularly in the county of Bentheim, Landschaf sheep have been bred since 1934 with a primary focus on landscape preservation efforts.

This breed is considered highly endangered, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts to protect its genetic divers ...

Langhe sheep, also known as Delle Langhe, are esteemed medium-large dairy sheep known for their high-quality milk production. Originally hailing from the picturesque Langhe region in the Piedmont area of Italy, they have a rich history and are highly regarded for their valuable contributions to the dairy industry.

These sheep are predominantly white in color and exhibit a robust and well-proportioned build characteristic of medium-larg ...

Lati sheep, alternatively known as Salt Range sheep, are primarily bred for both meat and wool production in the vicinity of the Salt Range hills situated in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Characterized by their medium size and distinctive physical features, Lati sheep contribute significantly to the local agricultural landscape.

These sheep typically exhibit a medium-sized build, adorned with a fleece of white wool, creating a visua ...

The Laticauda sheep, known for their distinctive white coats, trace their ancestry back to Northern African sheep. Over time, these sheep have undergone significant development, acquiring many of their modern traits through crossbreeding with sheep from the Apennines region of Italy. It is believed that they were introduced to Italy during the reign of Charles III, a period marked by cultural exchange and trade between regions.

Renowne ...

Latvian Dark-headed Sheep, also recognized as the Latvian Brown Sheep, are a medium-sized breed with a brown body complemented by a distinctive black head. Renowned for its dual-purpose capabilities, they are prized for both their succulent meat and quality wool. The wool harvested from the Latvian Dark-headed Sheep are used in an array of products, from cozy sweaters and durable socks to snug blankets. Meanwhile, its delectable meat frequently g ...

Latxa sheep are a milk sheep breed from the Basque Country of Spain. They are mostly raised within the provinces of Biscay, Gipuzkoa, and Navarre. They are known for excellent quality milk production. Their unpasteurized milk is used for producing Idiazabal and Roncal cheeses.

Latxa sheep have been managed traditionally by moving the flock to the mountain pastures in the summer when the ewes have finished lactating, with cheese-makin ...

The Leccese, affectionately known as the Moscia Leccese, sheep, trace their lineage to the ancient Zackel sheep of Asia, a testament to their storied ancestry steeped in centuries of pastoral tradition. Characterized by their distinctive not-so-curled woolly hanging coat, they exude an air of rustic charm that harkens back to their nomadic origins.

With a visage marked by rosy skin and a pristine white coat adorned with striking black ...

Leicester Longwool Sheep are perhaps the most historically significant of all sheep breeds in its British homeland, and it is certainly the most famous of the longwools. It was the breed selected for development by Robert Bakewell, the most renowned and successful of all the early workers in the field of livestock improvement. Working at Dishley Grange in Leicestershire from 1755, he produced the New - or Dishley - Leicester, which combined t ...

Leineschaf, also known as Leine sheep or simply Leine, is a breed originating from the Nordheim region of Hannover, Germany, specifically from the picturesque Leine river valley from which it takes its name. This breed holds a significant place in the local agricultural heritage, embodying the culmination of careful crossbreeding efforts and adaptation to the region's unique environmental conditions.

The development of Leineschaf invol ...

Limousine sheep, originating from Limousin, France, are renowned for their remarkable hardiness and adaptability across diverse environments, particularly thriving on non-chalky, acidic soils. This breed is notably distinguished by its exceptional female qualities, which include early sexual maturity, a reliable aptitude for off-season breeding, strong maternal instincts, and high milk value. Limousine sheep have demonstrated their resilience and ...

The Lincoln Longwool sheep holds a distinguished position in British agricultural history as the oldest known longwool breed, with roots tracing back to the marshy fenlands of Lincoln County as early as 1749. Revered for its luxurious fleece and robust build, the Lincoln Longwool played a pivotal role in shaping the development of other British longwool breeds.

Throughout its storied lineage, the Lincoln Longwool maintained a close rel ...

Lithuanian Black-Headed are multipurpose sheep developed in Lithuania during the mid-20th century. They were developed by crossing local sheep with English Shropshire and meaty German black-headed rams, with the goal of combining the best characteristics of both.

Lithuanian Black-Headed sheep mature early and supply homogenous semi-fine wool. They have short and white wool, while their head, ears, and legs are covered with black ...

Litla Dimun sheep were a primitive, short-tailed, small, black, short-wooled breed of sheep that lived in Litla Dimun (a small island between the islands of Suouroy and Stora Dimun in the Faroe Islands of Denmark). They became extinct during the mid-19th century.

They were a feral sheep, probably derived from the earliest sheep brought to Northern Europe in the Neolithic Period. The last of these sheep were shot in the 1860s.
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The Livo sheep, indigenous to the picturesque Valle di Livo nestled within the Lombardy Region of northern Italy, embody the rugged beauty and pastoral charm of their ancestral homeland. Medium-sized and robust, these sheep possess a distinctive appearance and a rich heritage deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of the region.

Clad in lustrous coats of yellow wool that evoke the golden hues of the surrounding landscape, Livo she ...

Llandovery Whiteface Hill Sheep are an elite hill breed of sheep. The rams have tremendous scale for a hill breed possessing good length and depth and can be either horned or moiled (without horns).  The sheep have a dense fleece able to withstand the elements of the harsh upland environment.  Both rams and ewes have a clean white face.  For generations the Llandovery Whiteface Hill Sheep has been bred to live and thrive in the areas surrou ...

Llanwenog sheep are a distinctive breed known for their characteristic black faces and polled nature, devoid of horns. They typically exhibit a tuft of clean wool on the forehead, adding to their unique appearance. These sheep are recognized for their compact build, featuring well-sprung ribs, a robust loin, and strong thighs.

The fleece of Llanwenog sheep is predominantly white, contributing to their overall appearance. Their wool is ...

The Lleyn Sheep is a medium-sized lowland breed known for its exceptional hardiness, prolificacy, and ease of handling. At maturity, they typically weigh up to 70 kilograms, making them suitable for various farming conditions. Renowned for their easy lambing and strong mothering instinct, Lleyn ewes are valued for their milkiness and ability to rear lambs efficiently.

One of the distinguishing features of Lleyn Sheep is their white woo ...

Lohi sheep, renowned for their distinctive characteristics, are a large breed of sheep known for their exceptional meat quality and unique physical features. Originating from Pakistan and parts of northern India, Lohi sheep have garnered recognition for their valuable contributions to the local agricultural landscape and the culinary preferences of the region.

One of the most striking features of Lohi sheep is their large size, which d ...

Lonk Sheep, renowned as one of the largest native hill breeds, epitomize ruggedness and hardiness in their distinctive appearance and versatile characteristics. Their striking face and legs are adorned in contrasting hues of pure black and white, adding to their allure amidst the rolling hills. The Lonk's fleece, meticulously maintained and evenly distributed from head to skirting, boasts a pristine white hue and is notably devoid of kemp, reflec ...