Sheep Breeds - Be-Br
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Be-Br
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The Belgium Milk Sheep is strongly influenced by Friesian Milk Sheep. In all probability, the Belgium Milk Sheep descends from Flemish sheep. Since the 19th century, Flemish sheep were selected for milk character. After the second world war, other milk sheep breeds were added. The Belgium Milk Sheep is finely built sheep which stands high on the legs. The body is wedge-shaped. The head is covered with fine white hair. The abdomen is wooly, but slightly hairy. A typical characteristic of the Belgium Milk Sheep is the so-called "rat tail."The fertility of the breed is high The udder is well-developed and the animals give much milk with a creamy taste. Breed categories: dairy, rat-tail Distribution: Europe
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Photos
courtesy of Frank De Smedt and |
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The Beltex sheep were first introduced to Britain from Belgium in 1989. They originated from hybrid sheep bred in Belgium. The breed's main characteristics are double-muscled hindquarters, coupled with fine bones, which ensures maximum killing-out percentage of the finished lamb. Beltex is primarily a terminal sire to cross with British sheep and half-bred continental sheep. Beltex-sired lambs are born with ease and are thrifty. Conformation is the breed's main attribute in producing prime lamb. Finished lambs yield a high killing-out percentage and a carcass with well-fleshed legs, good eye muscle, and a long loin. Breed categories: meat, medium wool Distribution:
Europe, United Kingdom, North America
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The Bergamasca originated in the North of Italy, possibly from
Sudanese sheep. It is a multi-purpose animal, raised for meat,
milk, and wool. It is prolific and produces an average of 250
kg of milk with 6 percent fat over a six month lacation period.
The Bergamasca is the basic breed of the Lop-eared Alpine group
and is polled. It is the foundation of the other Lop-eared Alpine
breeds and of Fabrianese, Pavullese, Perugian Lowland and Zakynthos.
Breed categories: multi-purpose, coarse wool Distribution:
Europe, South America
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Speckled-face sheep have been bred on the hills of Eppynt, Llanafan, Abergwesyn and Llanwrtyd Wells for over 100 years, without introduction of female stock. On the hill, the ewes are normally purebred, providing flock replacements, finished lambs for the meat trade, or store lambs for finishing on lowland farms. The Beulah ewe is also idea for crossing with most continental rams, as well as Suffolk and Down rams to produce high quality carcasses. Rams have found great demand in many mountain flocks to improve size and wool quality. The breed gives a fleece of very clean soft handling wool. Ewes are hornless, as are the majority of rams.The face is free from wool and distinctly speckled. Breed categories: dual-purpose, medium-wool, hill Distribution:
United Kingdom, Europe
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The Berrichon du Cher was established in the Berry region of France. The original breed was crossed with a Merino in the mid 1780's. Further improvements were made in the mid 1800's with the introduction of the Dishley Leicester. The Berrichon du Cher is a polled white faced sheep with a medium fleece of high quality. Their body is compact, well muscled, and medium to large in status. They are used primarily as a sire breed. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution:
Europe, United Kingdom British
Berrichon du Cher Society Ltd. |
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There is some controversy on how this breed was started. Some say the Black Hawaiian is a cross of Mouflon and Black Hair sheep from the Hawaiian islands. While others say they are Barbados with a dilution of the red color gene making them black. They have a thick black coat and are usually black all over, although some will occasionally sport a white muzzle. Like the other species of sheep of this type, the horns grow up, back, down, forward, up again, and then tip out. The horns of the Hawaiian are also jet-black. Males can weigh up to 140 to 150 pounds while females will usually weigh about half that much. They are raised primarily for trophy hunting. Categories:
hair, exotic |
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The
Blackheaded Persian originated in the arid regions of east Africa
in what is now Somalia. It is one of the fat-rumped breeds and
both sexes are polled. Blackheaded Persians have a white body
and black head and neck with the two colors sharply distinguished.
The breed found its way to the tropics of the Caribbean region
via South Africa many years ago.
The Caribbean population has adapted well to the humid tropics.
The Blackheaded Persian is one of the breeds that was used to
develop the Dorper. Categories:
hair (meat), fat-rumped
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In the Middle Ages, the mutton of black-fleeced Welsh Mountain Sheep was prized for its richness and excellence and much sought-after by merchants. During the mid-19th century, some breeders began to select specifically for the black fleece color and the result is the Black Welsh Mountain sheep. The Black Welsh Mountain is a small, black sheep with no wool on the face or on the legs below the knee and hock. It is the only completely black breed of sheep found in the United Kingdom. Introduced into the U.S. in 1972, the fleece from the Black Welsh Mountain has generated special interest among hand spinners and weavers. Category:
primitive, medium wool
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Photo courtesy of EAAP-Animal Genetic Bank |
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The
Blue du Maine originated in Western France in the region of
Mayenne. The breed was developed from crossing of Leicester
Longwool and Wensleydale
which were imported during a period from 1855 to 1880 with the
now extinct Choletais breed. The Bleu du Maine are a large breed.
The breed has no wool on its head or legs. The face is a dark
gray or blue color, and both sexes are polled. In comparing
the Bleu du Maine with the Texel
breed, they show a higher litter size and age of sexual maturity.
The average daily gain, carcass leanness, milk yield, and lambing
interval are comparable with the Texel, but the Bleu du Maine
are lighter muscled. The Bleu du Maine was first introduced
to the United Kingdom in 1978. Category: medium wool, meat Distribution:
Europe, United Kingdom |
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The Bluefaced Leicester evolved near Hexham in the county of Northumberland, England during the early 1900's. They are descendants of Robert Bakewell’s improved Dishley Leicester. The breed originated from Border Leicester individuals selected for the blue face (white hairs on black skin) and finer fleeces. It was was developed as a sire of high quality crossbred ewes. The crossbred progeny of the Bluefaced Leicester is the Mule, the ewe famous throughout the U.K. as the best commercial breeding ewe on the market. Bluefaced Leicesters were imported to Canada in the 1970's where they eventually made their way to the United States. Frozen semen from the United Kingdom is being used to expand the genetic base of the breed in the U.S. and Canada. Breed category: long wool, dual-purpose Distribution:
UK, Australia, New Zealand, North America
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The Blue Texel is a color variant of the normal white Texel sheep. The Blue Texel came from white Texels who carry the color factor "blue" with them. This factor is a recessive factor. From a mating of two white Texels who both carry the factor for the blue colour, there is a 25 percent chance blue lambs will be born while a mating between a Blue Texel and another Blue Texel always gives blue lambs. Texel sheep evolved as a result of crossbreeding the Dutch polder sheep with several English breeds, such as Leicester, Wensleydale, and Lincoln at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, as a result of efficient selection, the Texel breed has developed into a meat-type sheep of outstanding lean meat quality that has become popular throughout the world as a sire of crossbred slaughter lambs. When Texel lambs with a different color were orginally born, most breeders were very ashamed of this. It was not until the late 70's that some breeders started with the breeding of this rare colored sheep: the Blue Texel. Breed category: meat, terminal sire, medium wool Distribution:
Netherlands, Europe
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Photos
courtesy of Reinhard Everts |
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Bonds evolved in Australia in 1909 as a dual-purpose breed, using Peppin Merinos and imported Lincoln rams. Bonds are tall, long-bodied sheep, heavy in the bone and with open faces and a robust constitution. They produce bulky, long-stapled, bright 22-28 micron wool. Lambs are long, lean, and fast growing. Bond rams weigh up to 150 kg (330 lbs.). Bond sheep are mainly found in the south east portion of Australia. They have the ability to produce economic results in a wide range of climatic conditions of rainfall from 350-1140 mm (14 to 45 inches). Breed category: dual purpose Distribution: Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China |
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The Booroola Merino was developed on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It differs from the normal Merino in two ways. First, its fertlity is as high as any breed in the world. The number of lambs born per ewe lambing is 2.4, with a range of 1 to 6. Half-Booroola ewes on average wean 20 percent more lambs than comparable Merinos under the same conditions. Secondly, Booroolas have the ability to breed at most times of the year, thus extending the breeding season. The high prolifacy of the Booroola Merino is due to the action of a single gene. Booroola actually refers to a gene called the B gene (also called F for fecundity). The B gene can be transferred into any breed sheep and does not appear to be influenced by nutrition. Breed category: fine wool, prolific Distribution:
Worldwide |
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The Border Cheviot originated as a mountain breed, native to the Cheviot Hills between Scotland and England, where the climate is harsh and the conditions are rugged. Cheviots are extremely hardy and can withstand harsh winters and graze well over hilly pastures. They were bred to look after themselves. Recognized as early as 1372, the breed is reported to have developed from sheep that swam ashore from shipwrecked Spanish ships that fled northward after the defeat of the Armada. The Cheviot is a distinctive white-faced sheep, with a wool-free face and legs, pricked ears, black muzzle and black feet. It is a very alert, active sheep, with a stylish, lively carriage. Cheviot wool has a distinctive helical crimp, which gives it that highly desirable resilience. Breed category: meat, hill Distribution:
UK, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand American
Cheviot Sheep Society
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The Borderdale was developed in New Zealand. It is the result of breeding the Border Leicester and Corriedale breeds and interbreeding each generation until the F5 stage. Borderdales are a medium-large, hardy, long-woolled breed, with a comparatively low susceptibility to foot rot. They have a good growth rate. Ewes are often used for crossbreeding with terminal sires from the meat breeds. Borderdales are found mainly on the plains, dowlands, and foothills of Canterbury (New Zealand). Breed
category: long wool, dual-purpose |
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One of three distinct breeds of Leicester sheep, the Border Leicester was founded in 1767 by George & Matthew Culley of Fenton, Northumberland, England. They were friends of Robert Bakewell and had access to his improved Leicesters. Some feel that the Culley brothers developed the Border Leicester by crossing Bakewell's improved Leicester rams with Teeswater ewes. Others argue that Cheviot blood was introduced. In any case, the breed was firmly established in England by 1850 and Border Leicesters have now surpassed the old English Leicester in popularity in the British Isles and in other countries. Border Leicesters are moderately prolific, good milkers, and mothers. They have been used throughout the world to sire crossbred females. They yield a long-stapled, lustrous, coarse wool that is much in demand by hand spinners. Breed
category: long wool, dual-purpose
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Border
Leicester Ewes |
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The Boreray originated on the island of Boreray which is in the St. Kilda group. The breed was developed during the late 19th century from Scottish Blackface and a Hebridean type of Old Scottish Shortwool. The breed has been largely feral since 1930. The Boreray is a small breed with no wool on face or lower legs. The extremities are black or tan colored. The fleece is white to light tan, but occasionally an individual animal will be darker. Both sexes are horned. The ram's horns are large and spiraled. Adult ewes weigh about 28 kg (62 lbs) and stand 55 cm (22 inches) at the withers. Breed
category: primitive, rare
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Image source: British Sheep 8th edition |
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The Brillenschaf from Carinthia is one of the endangered livestock breeds in Austria. Since 1938, it has almost completely died out. It is named for the eyeglass marks around its eyes, under the eyes, and on its ears. It is a cross between the old Landschaf breed with the Bergamasca and Paduaner Schaf. It is a member of the Alpine Mountain Sheep Breeds. The hardy, frugal Brillenschaf can cope with high precipitation and is expert in climbing, therefore it is used for grazing high alpine areas which are inaccessible to cows. Breed category: meat, coarse wool Distribution: Europe
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British Milk Sheep are a composite breed whose exact make-up is in conflict. Breeds that comprise the composite include the East Friesian, Bluefaced Leicester, Polled Dorset, Lleyn, and perhaps other breeds. The breed was established and released in 1980. Animals of this breed are medium to large in size, polled, with white, woolless, face and legs. British Milksheep is the most prolific breed in the United Kingdom with yearling litter size averaging 2.21, 2-year-olds at 2.63 and 3.07 in mature ewes. A milk yield of 650-900 liters (173 to 238 gal) has been reported during a 300-day lactation. The milk solids is also particularly high. British Milksheep produce a large, lean carcass. Breed category: dairy Distribution:
United Kingdom, Canada
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British
Milk Sheep
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The Braunköpfiges Fleischschaf is one of the four predominant sheep breeds in Switzerland. It is the heaviest breed. It was developed by crossing Oxfords from England and German Blackheaded Mutton sheep onto landrace sheep. The breed is seasonal, lambing once per year, usually in the winter, averaging 1.7 lambs. Breed category: meat, medium wool Distribution: Europe |
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The home of this breed is the alpine regions of Bavaria (Germany), Tyrol (Austria), Southern Tyrol (Italy), and the Swiss Canton of Engadine. In recent years, the Brown Mountain Sheep has gained popularity beyond its original borders. The Brown Mountain Sheep descended from the Tyrolean Steinschaf (Stone Sheep), which can be of all colors, one color per sheep, and is rarely white. The Braunes Bergschaf is a medium-sized sheep with a slender, hornless head, and a Roman nose profile. Its ears are long, broad, and hanging. It has strong legs with hard hoofs. It is extremely hardy and shows no fear of heights. Non- seasonal breeding is possible three times in two years, and twins are the norm. Breed category: long wool Distribution: Europe
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Last updated 07-Feb-2007 by Susan Schoenian.
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