Sheep 101 - Black and Colored Sheep

White Wool Most modern domesticated sheep grow white wool. This is because white wool is more desirable in the commercial marketplace because it can be dyed any color. However, sheep with white wool may have different color faces and legs.	Crossbred Ewes in Virginia
Naturally Colored Sheep in Maryland	Colored Sheep On the other hand, hand spinners, weavers, and other wool craftsmen often prefer to work with "natural colored" wool. Wool is naturally produced in many beautiful colors: black, gray, silver, moorit, brown, and red.
Katahdin Ewe and Lambs in Maryland	It's All In the Genes It is not uncommon for black or colored lambs to appear in a white flock. However, in order for this to happen, both of the lambs parents must be carrying a gene for color.
Fleece Inheritance The inheritance of fleece or coat color in sheep is quite complicated. Different genes control what color the fleece will be, what pattern it will be, and whether the fleece will be solid or spotted. Color Genetics in Icelandic Sheep Colour Genetics in Spaelsau	Black and White Merinos in New York
Changing Colors The lambs of some breeds are born black or red and their fleeces will lighten as they get older.	Portland lambs in Somerset UK Photo courtesy of Beer Mill Farm
Jacob Ewe Photo courtesy of American Jacob Sheep Registry	Spotted Fleeces One of the most uniquely colored breeds is the Jacob. The Jacob's fleece is described as white with black spots. The white wool grows out of white skin, while the black wool grows out of black skin. The Jacob's spotted fleece is referenced in the Bible. Prior to the 20th century, Jacob sheep were referred to as "piebald" sheep.
Black Katahdin Ewe in Maryland	Get Your Markers In In the "Old West" a few colored sheep roamed the ranges. These animals were used as "markers", one for every 100 range sheep. The old timers counted the sheep and said, "once your markers are in, your flock is in".

. . . New Words . . . Gene - the fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity. Inheritance - attributes acquired via biological heredity from the parents. Moorit - brown; comes from the Icelandic word "moorut" meaning "as red as the moors." Piebald - English term for body color of white with black patches.

Why are some sheep black?

Baa Baa Black Sheep