Berichon du Cher
Encyclopedia
The Berichon du Cher is a domesticated breed
of sheep in France
. The original breed was crossed with a Merino
in the late 18th century. More improvements were made in the 19th century with the introduction of the Dishley Leicester. They are used primarily as a terminal sire.
, displays white and is unicolored.
The rams weigh 110 kg (242.5 lb) and ewes weigh 70 kg (154.3 lb) on average. At the withers, rams grow to 73 cm (28.7 in) and ewes to 68 cm (26.8 in).
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of sheep in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The original breed was crossed with a Merino
Merino
The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. Merinos are regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep...
in the late 18th century. More improvements were made in the 19th century with the introduction of the Dishley Leicester. They are used primarily as a terminal sire.
Characteristics
Both sexes are polled (hornless). This breed has medium woolWool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
, displays white and is unicolored.
The rams weigh 110 kg (242.5 lb) and ewes weigh 70 kg (154.3 lb) on average. At the withers, rams grow to 73 cm (28.7 in) and ewes to 68 cm (26.8 in).