Sheep Breeds G-I
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The Gansu Alpine Finewool was one of a number of finewool breeds in China which made use of Xinjiang Finewool, along with Russian Merino rams in its development. The Gansu Alpine Finewool was initially based on Mongolian and Tibetan ewes and was developed through backcrossing to Merino type, followed by selection. The breed was developed in the Huangchen District of Gansu Province, China, which has an altitude of 2,600 to 4,000 m (8,530-13,123 ft), an annual mean temperature of 0 to 3.8°C (32-39°F), an annual precipitation of 257 to 461 mm, and an average humidity of 35 to 58 percent. The sheep are well adapted to this particular ecological condition. The average weight of grease fleece in ewes is about 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs), and the wool quality is 60-64's (20-25µm). Breed categories: fine-wool Distribution: China
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source: ConSDABI |
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In 1850, blackheaded meat breeds, such as Leicester, Southdown, and Hampshire were imported from England into Saxony to be crossed with local breeds. Thirty years later, breeding of these sheep started more in Westfalia and Eastern Prussia than in Saxony. The Merinofleischschaf (Merino mutton sheep) was prevalent in Saxony. Westfalia, with its high precipitation was the perfect area for the Schwarzkopf Fleischschaf, and it is still the main breeding area. German Blackheaded mutton sheep are medium-sized, white sheep that are wide and long with dark-brown to black head, ears, and legs. They grow crossbred wool with a tight and firm staple that protects them in a wet climate. Breed category: meat, medium wool Distribution:
Europe |
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The German Gray Heath is the symbol of the Lueneburger Heide in Germany. Their ancestors, the Mouflon were at home in Corsica. Single lambs are born in spring with a curly, black fleece. After the sheep’s first yearly shearing, its wool turns silver gray with a black bib. Head and legs are black and free of wool. Rams weigh up to 80 kg (176 lbs) and have imposing horns that curl close to the face. Ewes weigh about 45 kg (100 lbs) and have short horns. Their meat tastes like venison. The dual-coated fleece of a ewe weighs 2.2 kg (4.4 lbs.), of a ram 4 kg (8.8 lbs).. The coarse, straight outer coat is 25 cm (11.4 in.) long. The downy underwool grows 6 cm (2.7 in) long and has a fiber diameter of 25-30 microns. The wool used to be sent to Belgium and Turkey to be worked into carpets. Breed category: landrace, rare, double-coated Distribution: Germany
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Photo courtesy of EAAP-Animal Genetic Bank |
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In
the 18th century, Southern German Landsheep were crossed with
French and Spanish Merinos,
which produced the Merinolandschaf. This sheep breed is the
most wide-spread one in Germany today, with 40% of the total
German sheep population. The Merinolandschaf of today started
with the dual- coated Zaupelschaf, which already in 1539 was
not liked because it produced inferior wool. For that reason
it was crossed with the Marschschaf from the Lower Rhine. This
sheep was large, prolific, and could march, and its wool had
a fiber diameter of 33-36 microns. Later, Merino wool sheep
from Spain and France were used to improve the wool quality.
The Merinolandschaf has a large frame, a straight head with
a small woolly tuft on top, no horns, and rough, large ears
that stick out to the side, with legs free of wool. It is in
no way a landrace, but a highly adaptable breed. Breed category: fine-wool Distribution:
Europe |
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There
are three German Merino
breeds: Merinolandschaf
(Merino landsheep), Merinofleischschaf (Merino mutton sheep),
and Merinolangwollschaf (Merino longwool sheep). Although all
three breeds produce Merino wool and are similar in meat yield,
they went through a different historical and genealogical development.
The Merinofleischschaf is at home east of the Elbe river, spreading
all the way to the Ural Mountains. It is suited for intense
production in arid or in agricultural areas. It is highly resistant
and easily adapts to any climate and keeping conditions. It
grows easily with good meat yield. Non- seasonal breeding cycle
(3 breedings in 2 years), high fecundity, and good mothering
instincts make the Merinofleischschaf a good choice for intense
milk-lamb production. Breed category: dual-purpose Distribution:
Europe |
Photo courtesy of EAAP-Animal Genetic Bank |
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This breed was developed along the North Sea coast in the middle of the last century. English Leicester, Cotswold, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire were imported and crossbred with the local Wilstermarschschaf, a northern German marsh sheep. Breeders succeeded in retaining the wanted qualities of the marsh sheep, such as high fecundity, fast development, and large size. In the 1930’s, a new breed, the Deutsches Weißköpfiges Fleischschaf started to roam the grassy areas next to the North Sea. It is the perfect breed to withstand the rough, damp sea climate and suited for life on the dikes. The sheep fatten on the lush dike grass, pound down the earth and encourage new grass growth, thus helping to stabilize the North Sea dikes which makes them resistant against storm floods. The sheep need to be rugged and to protect them against the weather, they have a long, rough fleece with a fiber diameter of 37 to 41 microns. The white wool, also known as Eider wool, has a good crimp which is unusual for such rough wool. Breed category: dual-purpose Distribution: Europe
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Photo courtesy of EAAP-Animal Genetic Bank |
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Gotland sheep were first established on the large Baltic island of Gotland, off the east coast of Sweden. The Vikings brought Karakul and Romanov sheep back from Russia and crossed them with native landrace sheep, such as the Gute. Gotlands are polled. They have short, hair-tipped tails and do not require crutching. Lambs are born black and grow quickly, many turning to grey as they mature. Gotlands produce a quick growing, lustrous, colored, curly fleece of medium micron. The Gotland is found throughout Sweden where it is kept for its pelt and meat production. Breed categories: fur, primitive Distribution:
Europe, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand
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The Greyface Dartmoor is also known as the Dartmoor or "Improved" Dartmoor. Descended from the local breeds, which grazed the low ground in and around Dartmoor, they have immense strength of constitution developed through withstanding the severe winters and exposed conditions, which exist around the Moor. Improvements were carried out during the 19th century using the local Longwools (Notts) and the Leicester. The Dartmoor fleece is classified as Lustre Longwool. They are a medium sized sheep (approx. 60 kg/132 lbs), hornless, deep bodied, short legged, with well woolled head and legs. The white face should be mottled or spotted with black or grey with matching feet. Breed categories: long wool Distribution:
United Kingdom
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Photos
Courtesy of Dartmoor
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Development of the Gromark began in 1965 in northern New South Wales, Australia. The Gromark is fixed at approximately 50 percent Corriedale and 50 percent Border Leicester. It is a dual-purpose sheep which evolved from objective selection for high growth rate and fertility with final selection being based on visual criteria: wool quality, frame, and carcass attributes.The Gromark is a large-framed breed (ewes average 80 kg/175 lb) producing large lean lambs and good fleeces with wool fiber diameter being about 30 microns. Breed categories: dual-purpose Distribution:
Australia
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Spanish sheep first arrived in Florida in the 1500's. Later importations of Spanish and other breeds of sheep mixed with the earlier population, all evolving under the strong natural selection of the native range conditions of Florida and the other Gulf Coast states. Today a remnant of this population survives and is known as the Gulf Coast. Gulf Coasts are best known for their resistance to internal parasites. The Florida Agricultural Experiment Station in Gainesville has a flock which has been maintained without the use of anthelmintics since 1962. The Gulf Coast Native is classified as a "critical" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: medium wool, meat Distribution:
United States
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Gute sheep is the most primitive breed in the collection of breeds that make up the Swedish Landrace breed group. These breeds belong to the North European Short Tailed Breeds and are related to such breeds as the Finnsheep, Romanov, Spelsau, Shetland, Faroe, Orkney, and Icelandic sheep. Both rams and ewes have two well-developed, slightly turned, converging or diverging, symmetrical horns which are strongly curved and deeply ringed. The rams' horns are large and strong; the ewes' are thinner. Gute wool is coarse and may be straight or wavy. It is a mixture of fine wool, long coarser hair, and kemp fibers. Most sheep shed their fleece partly or entirely in the beginning of the summer. Breed categories: primitive, short-tail, coarse wool Distribution:
Europe |
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The Hampshire sheep acquired its name from the agricultural county of Hampshire in southern England where it was developed from Old Hampshire, Southdown, Wiltshire Horn, and Berkshire Knot crosses. Hampshires were first brought to the United States in 1860, but all of the flocks were either destroyed or scattered during the Civil War. Importations in large numbers did not resume until the 1880's. Hampshires are a large breed, with black faces and legs and wool on the legs and head. Their fast growth rate and superior carcass merit make them a popular choice to sire crossbred market lambs. Breed categories: meat, medium wool, down Distribution: Worldwide
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Photo
courtesy of Hampshire
Photo
courtesy of South
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The
Han is a type of Mongolian sheep. It was developed in the semi-humid
agricultural areas of China (Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui and
Jiangsu Provinces). There are two types of Han which in 1982,
were claimed as two different breeds: Large-tail Han and Small-tail
Han. The Large-tail Han are polled and are characterized by
a long, broad, fat tail, with a thin twisted end turing upwards
between two lobes, and broadest at the base. Maximum weight
being 25 kg. Since the tail is too heavy for the sheep to move
around easily during grazing, this type (or breed) is only adaptable
to the plains. Han
sheep are precocious and highly prolific, their fecundity levels
being 163% for the Large-tail Han and 229% for the Small-tail
Han. Recent reports have given even even higher figures of 192
percent for the Large-tail Han and 270 percent for the Small-tail.
Breed categories: fat-tail Distribution: China
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Image
source: ConSDABI |
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The
Hebridean, a sheep breed now classified as rare, originated
in the islands off the western coast of Scotland. They are classified
as one of the Northern Short-tailed breeds. Over the centuries,
Hebridean ewes have been selected by natural systems for hardiness
in all weathers, ease of lambing, milkiness and good mothering
instincts. Because Hebrideans have not been modified by artificial
selection they remain a small, economically efficient breeding
ewe with a surprising ability to produce quality cross-bred
lambs. Both sexes are usually horned with either two or four
horns, four horns being the most common. They have shown a greater
tendency to browse than other sheep breeds which has made them
useful in ecological projects where the control of brush and
weeds was needed. Breed categories: Rare, Northern European short-tail Distribution:
United Kingdom
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Hebridean Ewes
Photos
courtesy of the |
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The
Heidschnucke are a fairly small sheep, initially originating
from Niedersachsen in Germany. There are several varieties of
Heidschnucke sheep: the grey horned Heidschnucke, the white
horned Heidschnucke, and the moorschnucke (marsh sheep). At
one time, the Heidschnucke were the most important sheep in
northern Germany, but their numbers have declined substantially.
Lambs are black at birth, but their fleece discolors their first
year of life, until it gets its characteristic grey color. Both
rams and ewes have beautiful horns. Lambing percentage is usually
low, only about 100 percent. Breed categories: rare, primitive Distribution:
Europe
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Photos
courtesy of Frank De Smedt and |
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Herdwick
sheep are the native breed of the central and western Lake District
and live on the highest of England’s mountains. They are
extremely hardy and are managed in the traditional way on the
Lake district fells that have been their home for generations.
The word “Herdwyck”, meaning sheep pasture, is recorded
in documents going back to the 12th century. Herdwick sheep
are the most hardy of all Britain’s breeds of hill sheep,
grazing the central and western dales of the Lake District with
fells running to over three thousand feet. They are a carpet
wool and meat breed. The lambs are born with black faces, legs
and blue-roan fleeces which lighten in the adults. The males
are horned and the females are polled or naturally hornless. Breed categories Carpet wool, meat, rare Distribution:
United Kingdom
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The
Hill Radnor is a hardy hill sheep with a long history attached
to the central marshes of Wales. The Hill Radnor has a light
brown face and legs, free from wool. The rams are horned, with
horns of varying size; ewes are naturally polled. Compared to
some other hill breeds, the fleece is white and dense, with
a fine staple, and is popular with local hand-spinners and weavers.
Like many hill breeds they are thrifty and good foragers. Breed categories hill, medium wool, rare Distribution:
United Kingdom
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 Hill Radnor |
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About 200 years ago, a flock of sheep was established on Hog Island, one of Virginia's barrier islands located off its Eastern Shore. The sheep were already native to the area and are believed to have had a substantial amount of Merino blood in them. There were occasional subsequent introductions to the population, the last being in 1953, when a Hampshire ram was taken to the island. In 1974, the island was sold to The Nature Conservancy, which decided to remove all the sheep and cattle. Gunston Hall Plantation in Fairfax County, Virginia, eventually became the owner of the greater number of these sheep and exhibits them as part of its replication of 18th century plantation life. Hog Island sheep evolved and survived for over 200 years in an extremely harsh environment on a limited diet and no medical attention. The Hog Island is classified as a "critical" breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Breed categories: medium wool, rare Distribution:
United States
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Hu sheep originated from Mongolian sheep. They are distributed in the Zhejiang Jiangsu provinces of China and the suburbs of Shanghai. Hu sheep are well recognized for their beautiful wavy lambskins, early sexual maturity, aseasonal breeding, prolificacy, and the adaptability to a hot and humid climate. Hu sheep are raised indoors all year round. The lambskins taken from lambs slaughtered within the day of birth have distinctive wave-like stripes which are still retained after processing. Hu sheep lambskins are traditional export item of Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. The first estruses in ewes occur at the age of 4-5 months. Rams are capable of mating at the age of 4 months. Ewes cycle all year round. The average ovulation rate is 2.38 with higher ovulation rate of 2.60 in autumn and lower rate of 2.2 in spring. Under normal conditions, ewes lamb twice a year with litter size 2-3 lambs in most cases, and 7-8 lambs occasionally. Breed categories: fur, meat Distribution:
China |
Image
source: ConSDABI
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Breed categories: double-coated, short-tailed Distribution: North America, Iceland, United Kingdom
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Breed
categories: meat, medium wool
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Photo courtesy of EAAP-Animal Genetic Bank |
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Imroz ** The Imrov is among the smallest sheep breeds in Turkey. They are raised for meat, milk, and wool. Animals are predominantly white, with black marks around the mouth, nose and eyes, on the ears and rarely on the tip of the legs. The tail is thin and long, usually reaching below the hocks. Rams have strong spiral horns extending sideways; ewes are usually polled, but up to 30% of the ewes may have small scurs. The head is narrow and its profile is straight. The wool is very coarse and long, and it covers the top of the head Breed categories: dual-purpose, carpet wool Distribution: Turkey
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Photo courtesy of EAAP-Animal Genetic Bank |
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Breed
categories: meat, medium wool
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Last updated 23-Jan-2007 by Susan Schoenian.
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