List of sheep breeds
Encyclopedia
This is a list of domestic sheep breeds. Domestic sheep
(Ovis aries) are partially derived from mouflon
(Ovis orientalis) stock, and have diverged sufficiently to be considered a different species.
Domestic sheep
Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...
(Ovis aries) are partially derived from mouflon
Mouflon
The mouflon is a subspecies group of the wild sheep Ovis aries. Populations of Ovis aries can be partitioned into the mouflons and urials or arkars...
(Ovis orientalis) stock, and have diverged sufficiently to be considered a different species.
Comprehensive list of domestic sheep breeds
Sorted alphabetically.A
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acıpayam Acıpayam (sheep) Acıpayam is a breed of domesticated sheep originated in Turkey. They are a dual-purpose breed . The Acıpayam originated from Assaf crossed with Awassi and Dagliç ewes.-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
Meat, wool Wool 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.... |
| Adal Adal (sheep) Adal is a domesticated breed of sheep from Ethiopia. They are bred mostly for their meat.-Characteristics:The Adal is unicolored from white to dark brown. Average mature weight for a ram is and a ewe . They have short ears often appearing to have none. At birth, males are on average and ewes... |
--- | --- | Ethiopia Ethiopia Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2... |
Meat |
| Africana Africana (sheep) Africana is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Colombia and Venezuela. This breed is about the same size as the Pelibüey. The Africana is raised for their meat and is classified as a hair breed.... |
--- | Camura, Colombian Wooless, Pelona, Red African, Rojo Africana, West African | Colombia Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the... |
Meat |
| Alai Alai (sheep) Alai is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Kyrgyzstan. This breed is a dual purpose breed raised for its meat and wool.-Characteristics:Rams can be either horned or polled . However, ewes are only polled.... |
--- | --- | Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan , officially the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world's six independent Turkic states . Located in Central Asia, landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east... |
Meat, wool |
| Alcarreña Alcarreña Alcarreña is a domesticated breed of sheep found in Spain. They are bred for their meat. The Alcarreña is a member of the entrafino class of sheep.-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
Meat |
| Algarve Churro Algarve Churro Algarve Churro is a domesticated breed of sheep in Portugal. Although this breed does grow wool, it is primarily riased for its meat.-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | Portugal Portugal Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the... |
Meat |
| Alpines Steinschaf Alpines Steinschaf Alpines Steinschaf is a breed of domesticated sheep found in southern Germany and Austria. This breed is used for wool, meat and Vegetation Management. As of 2006, there were less than 300 with the number increasing... |
--- | --- | Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
Meat, wool, vegetation management Targeted grazing Targeted grazing is the use of domestic livestock to change the composition and structure of vegetation to meet management goals. This technique is often used in combination with other vegetation management treatments such as prescribed fire, seeding, chemical application, or mechanical means... |
| Altay Altay (sheep) Altay is a breed of domesticated sheep originating in the dry, cold mountain basins of China. This breed belongs to the fat-rumped carpet wool type of sheep and the Kazakh group. Although the Altay grows wool, it is raised primarily for the meat.... |
--- | --- | China China Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture... |
Meat |
| Ancon Ancon (sheep) Ancon sheep are a grouping of sheep with long bodies and very short legs, with the fore-legs being crooked. The term is generally applied to a line of sheep bred from a single affected Massachusetts lamb born in 1791... |
--- | Otter sheep | United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
--- |
| Apennine Apennine (sheep) Apennine is a domesticated breed of sheep found in Italy. It was found in the 1970s by cross breeding with local breeds and the Bergamasca and Ile-de-France... |
Appenninica, Bariscianese, Chietina Varzese, Perugina del piano | Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
Meat | |
| Arabi Arabi (sheep) Arabi is a domesticed breed of sheep from southwestern Iran, southern Iraq and northeastern Arabia. Though it does grow wool, it is primarily raised for meat.-Characteristics:The Arabi rams have horns and the ewes are polled... |
--- | --- | Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... , Iraq Iraq Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert.... |
Meat |
| Arkhar-Merino Arkhar-Merino The Arkhar-Merino is a sheep breed. This breed was produced by crossbreeding between wild Arkhar rams and Precoce merino ewes in the Kurmektinski research station between 1934 to 1949 in Kazakhstan, then in the Soviet Union. This station is located between Kungei and Zailiiskii mountains in the... |
--- | --- | Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe... |
Wool |
| Afghan Arabi Afghan Arabi Afghan Arabi is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Afghanistan. They are a member of the fat-rump breeds of sheep. The wool is carpet quality and the Arghan Arabi are raised for their meat.-Characteristics:... Arabi subtype |
--- | --- | Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world... |
Meat |
| Algerian Arab Algerian Arab Algerian Arab is a breed of domesticated sheep found throughout Algeria. Although this breed does grow a carpet grade wool, it is raised primarily for meat.-Characteristics:... |
--- | Ouled Jellal, Western Thin-tailed | Algeria Algeria Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab... |
Meat |
| Arapawa Island Arapawa Island (sheep) The Arapawa Sheep is a breed of feral sheep found primarily on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, where they have probably been isolated since they were introduced in 1867. Although there are many theories of how the sheep arrived, it is generally accepted that they are... |
--- | New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... |
Wool | |
| Armenian Semicoarsewool Armenian Semicoarsewool Armenian Semicoarsewool is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Armenia. A medium-wool fat tail breed which is kept for meat and milk production. This breed was developed by crossing Rambouillet and Lincoln with Balbas.-Characteristics:This breed displays white and is unicolored... |
--- | Armyanskaya Polugrubosherstnaya | Armenia Armenia Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia... |
Meat, milk Milk Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many... |
| Askanian Askanian Askanian is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Ukraine. It is a fine-wool breed bred for its wool. It was developed by crossing American Rambouillet with Merinos in the early 1900s.-Characteristics:... |
Askaniysky | Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia... |
Wool | |
| Assaf Assaf (sheep) Assaf is a breed of domesticated sheep from Israel. It is the result of crossbreeding the Awassi and East Friesian. They are dual purpose breed and raised for their milk and meat.-History:... |
--- | --- | Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... |
Meat, milk |
| Aussiedown Aussiedown (sheep) Aussiedown sheep are an Australian breed of sheep that was developed in the early 1990s using Southdown and Texel genetics. The resulting progeny have a maximum of 75% Southdown and Texel ancestry... |
--- | --- | Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
Meat |
| Australian White Australian White (sheep) Australian White is a large, white breed of Australian meat sheep which was developed for Australian conditions. The Australian White sheep are a stabilised composite haired meat breed comprising White Dorper, Van Rooy, Poll Dorset and Texel genetics.... |
--- | --- | Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
Meat |
| Awassi | Ivesi, Baladi, Deiri, Syrian, Ausi, Nuami, Gezirieh | Syro-Arabian desert Syrian Desert The Syrian Desert , also known as the Syro-Arabian desert is a combination of steppe and true desert that is located in the northern Arabian Peninsula covering 200,000 square miles . also the desert is very rocky and flat... |
Milk |
B
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balkhi Balkhi (sheep) The Balkhi is a domesticed breed of sheep found in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and adjoining areas of Afghanistan. This breed is of the fat-tailed mutton type. Though this breed does grow wool, it is primarily raised for meat.... |
--- | --- | Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan... |
Meat |
| Baluchi Baluchi (sheep) The Baluchi is a domesticated breed of sheep originating from now southwest Pakistan, eastern Iran and southern Afghanistan. It is a member of the fat-tailed breed... |
--- | Araghi, Baluchi dumda, Farahani, Kermani, Khorasani, Khurasani, Mengali, Naeini, Neini, Shinwari, Taraki, Yazdi | Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan | Wool |
| Barbados Blackbelly sheep Barbados Blackbelly Sheep The Barbados Blackbelly sheep is a breed of domestic sheep that was developed in the Caribbean. Although it is likely the Barbados Blackbelly has African ancestry, there seems to be clear evidence that the breed, as seen today, was developed by the people on the island from sheep brought by ships... |
--- | Caribbean Caribbean The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north... |
Meat | |
| Bardoka Bardoka The Bardoka or White Metohian sheep is a multi-purpose breed of domesticated sheep in Metohia. It is a popular sheep in Kosovo and partially in Montenegro, Serbia and Albania. This breed appears to adaptable to all environmental conditions especially low temperatures... |
--- | --- | Serbia Serbia Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans... |
Meat, milk, research Animal testing Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments. Worldwide it is estimated that the number of vertebrate animals—from zebrafish to non-human primates—ranges from the tens of millions to more than 100 million... , wool |
| Basco-Béarnais | Vasca Carranzana | Spain | Milk | |
| Beltex Beltex (sheep) The Beltex is a breed of domestic sheep. A portmanteau of Belgian and Texel, the name reflects the breed's origin as an offshoot of Texel sheep from Belgium. In the late 1980s, Belgian Texels were exported to the United Kingdom, and it was there that it was primarily refined in to its modern form... |
--- | --- | Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
Meat |
| Bentheimer Landschaf Bentheimer Landschaf The Bentheimer Landschaf is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Germany. This breed is a cross between German and Dutch heath sheep and a marsh sheep. It is primarily used for landscape preservation.... |
Landrace of Bentheim | Germany | Vegetation management | |
| Bergamasca Bergamasca (sheep) The Bergamasca is a breed of domesticated sheep originating from northern Italy. This breed is the foundation of the other Lop-eared Alpine breeds and of Fabrianese, Pavullese, Perugian Lowland and Zakynthos. It is a triple purpose breed raised for their milk, meat and coarse wool... |
--- | Bergamasker, Gigante di Bergamo, Bergamacia | Italy | Meat, milk, wool |
| Berichon du Cher Berichon du Cher 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.-Characteristics:Both... |
--- | --- | 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... |
Meat |
| Beulah Speckled Face Beulah Speckled Face The Beulah Speckled Face is a breed of domestic sheep originating in United Kingdom. Having been bred in Wales for more than a hundred years, a breed society was officially formed in 1958. This breed is most common in Eppynt, Llanafan, Abergwesyn and Llanwrtyd Wells, it is named for its distinctly... |
--- | --- | Wales Wales Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... |
Meat |
| Bibrik Bibrik The Bibrik is a fat tailed, domesticated breed of meat sheep that is found in Baluchistan Province of Pakistan.-Characteristics:The Bibrik displays white with a black or brown head. The wool is course with a yield of and an average diamter of 41.5 micrometres.Both sexes are horned with rams having... |
--- | --- | Pakistan | Meat |
| Biellese Biellese The Biellese is a breed of domesticated sheep originating from the Piedmont region of Italy. It is a carpet wool breed used for meat production and belongs to the Lop-eared Alpine group of sheep breeds.... |
--- | Biellese-Bergamasca | Italy | Meat |
| Bizet Bizet (sheep) The Bizet is a domesticated breed of sheep originating from France. It grows wool but is primarily raised for meat. In 1952, the Bizet was introduced on the Kerguelen archipelago. It is utilized as food for the scientific station there.-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | France | Meat |
| Blackhead Persian Blackhead Persian (sheep) The Blackhead Persian is a fat-tailed breed of domestic sheep from Africa.The sheep is originally from Somaliland . The breed is also a type of hair sheep, meaning they do not grow wool and tolerate heat better than wooled breeds and are raised primarily for meat... |
Swartkoppersie | South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
Meat | |
| Bleu du Maine Bleu du Maine (sheep) The Bleu du Maine is a breed of domestic sheep that originated in western France, in the region common to the departments of Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne and Sarthe... |
 |
Blauköpfiges Fleischschaf, Bazougers, Bluefaced Maine, Blue-headed Maine, Maine-Anjou, Maine à tête bleue, Maynne Blue | France | Meat |
| Bluefaced Leicester | --- | United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
Meat | |
| Bond Bond (sheep) Bond sheep are an Australian sheep breed that was developed around 1909 near Lockhart, New South Wales by Thomas Bond when he mated Saxon-Peppin Merino ewes to stud Lincoln rams for primarily wool production. The resulting progeny was selected on the basis that they would be more suited to the... |
--- | Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
Wool | |
| Border Leicester | --- | England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
Meat | |
| Boreray Boreray (sheep) The Boreray is a breed of sheep originating on the St Kilda archipelago off the west coast of Scotland and surviving as a feral animal on one of the islands, Boreray. It is primarily a meat breed... |
--- | Boreray Blackface, Hebridean Blackface | Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... |
Meat |
| Bovska Bovec sheep The Bovec sheep is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Slovenia. This breed is raised primarily for milk. It is estimated that only 800 individuals of this breed still exist.-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | Slovenia Slovenia Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of... |
Milk |
| Braunes Bergschaf Braunes Bergschaf The Braunes Bergschaf is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. This breed descended from the Tyrolean Steinschaf . The Braunes Bergschaf spend their summers roaming high alpine meadows and returning to the lowlands in the fall for shearing... |
--- | Brown Mountain sheep | Germany | Meat, vegetation management |
| Brazilian Somali Somali sheep The Somali sheep, occasionally known as the Berbera Blackhead, is a hair sheep native to Somalia. The animal is reared primarily for meat production and it is one of the major exports of the Somali economy.-Appearance:... |
--- | Berbera Blackhead | Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
Meat |
| Brillenschaf Brillenschaf The Brillenschaf is a domesticated breed of sheep that originates from Jezersko, Slovenia. It is extensively bred also in Germany and Austria. It is a member of the alpine mountain sheep breeds. It is a cross between the Landschaf with the Bergamasca and Paduaner Schaf... |
Carinthian sheep, Seelaenderschaf, Spectacles Sheep | Slovenia | Meat | |
| British Milk sheep British Milk (sheep) The British Milk Sheep is a breed of domesticated sheep developed by Lawrence Alderson in Wiltshire and Northumberland. It can now be found in the UK and Canada. The exact composition of this breed is debated. However, it is agreed that the breeds East Friesian, Bluefaced Leicester, Polled... |
--- | --- | United Kingdom | Milk |
| Bündner Oberland Bündner Oberländerschaf The Bündner Oberländerschaf is a domesticated breed of sheep in Switzerland. As of 2007, there were less than 1,100 but the population is increasing and used primarily for vegetation management.... |
--- | Graubünden, Grisons | Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
Vegetation management |
C
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Red California Red (sheep) The California Red is a breed of domestic sheep developed in the United States in the 1970s. It is so named because its lambs are born all red, and retain this color in their faces and limbs in to adulthood. Dr... |
--- | --- | United States | Meat, wool |
| California Variegated Mutant | CVM, Romeldale/CVM | United States | Wool | |
| Cameroon sheep Cameroon (sheep) The Cameroon is a domesticated breed of sheep from west Africa but has been exported to Europe. As of 2008, there were less than 650 but the population was increasing.-Characteristics:... |
Kamerunská ovce | West Africa West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:... |
Meat | |
| Campanian Barbary Campanian Barbary The Campanian Barbary is a domesticated breed of sheep found primarily in southern Italy. It a fat-tailed breed. The breed originated by crossing Tunisian Barbary with the local breed. The Campanian Barbary grows coarse to medium wool but is raised primarily for meat and... |
--- | --- | Italy | Meat, milk |
| Canadian Arcott Canadian Arcott The Canadian Arcott is a breed of domestic sheep native to Canada. The latter half of its name is an acronym for the Animal Research Centre in Ottawa, where it was developed along with the Rideau Arcott. The Canadian Arcott is a synthesis of many breeds, but primarily the Ile de France and Suffolk.... |
--- | --- | Canada | Meat |
| Castlemilk Moorit Castlemilk Moorit (sheep) The Castlemilk Moorit is a rare breed of domestic sheep originating in Dumfriesshire in Scotland.... |
Castlemilk Shetland, Moorit Shetland | Scotland | Hobby Hobby farm A hobby farm is a smallholding or small farm that is maintained without expectation of being a primary source of income. Some are merely to provide some recreational land, and perhaps a few horses for the family's children... |
|
| Charmoise Charmoise The Charmoise is a domesticated breed of sheep originating in France. The breed was development in the late 18th century by crossing imported Romney sheep from United Kingdom to native hill sheep. The Charmoise is a meat breed. The population of this breed decreased from over 122,000 in 1993 to... |
--- | --- | France | Meat |
| Charollais Charollais (sheep) The Charollais is a breed of domestic sheep originating in France. It has been exported internationally, and is commonly used in the U.K. as a sire to produce market lambs with purebred ewes and mules.-Characteristics:... |
--- | France | Meat | |
| Cheviot Cheviot sheep The Cheviot is a breed of white faced sheep which gets its name from a range of hills in north Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. It is still common in this area of the United Kingdom, but also in north west Scotland, Wales and the south west of England as well as more rarely in Australia,... |
--- | Scotland | Meat, wool | |
| Border Cheviot Border Cheviot The Border Cheviot, also known as the South Country Cheviot, is a breed of domesticated sheep from the UK. It is native to the Cheviot Hills between Scotland and England. Recognized as early as 1372, the breed is reported to have developed from sheep that swam ashore from shipwrecked Spanish ships... Cheviot subtype |
--- | South Country Cheviot | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Brecknock Hill Cheviot Brecknock Hill Cheviot The Brecknock Hill Cheviot is a domesticated breed of sheep originating approximately 400 years ago from Wales. They are a result of crosses with Welsh Mountain, Cheviot and Leicster breeds. This breed is primarily raised for meat... |
--- | Brecon Cheviot, Sennybridge Cheviot | Wales | Meat |
| North Country Cheviot North Country Cheviot North Country Cheviot sheep are a type of Cheviot. They are bred predominantly in Scotland, but are also bred in other parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. They are raised primarily for meat.-Origin:... |
--- | --- | Scotland | Meat |
| Chios Chios (sheep) The Chios is a breed of domestic sheep with specific unknown origins. It is classified as a semi-fat tailed breed. The Chios are bred mainly for their milk production... |
--- | --- | Island of Chios Chios Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages... |
Milk |
| Cholistani Cholistani The Cholistani is a breed of domestic sheep from Pakistan. Though the Cholistani grows wool, it is raised primarily for meat.- Characteristics :... |
--- | --- | Pakistan | Meat |
| Churra |  |
Spanish Churro | Spain | Meat, milk |
| Cikta Cikta The Cikta is a breed of domestic sheep from Hungary. In the 18th century, this breed was brought to Hungary by German settlers. This breed grows wool but is primarily raised for meat. The Cikta belong in the Mountain Group of sheep breeds.... |
--- | --- | Hungary Hungary Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The... |
Meat |
| Cine Capari Cine Capari The Cine Capari is a domesticated breed of sheep originating from Aydin Province in Turkey. In 1998, there were 300 Cine Capari and the population was decreasing. The Cine Capari is a fat-tail breed... |
--- | --- | Turkey | --- |
| Clun Forest Clun Forest (sheep) The Clun Forest is a breed of domestic sheep originating from the area surrounding the Clun Forest in Shropshire. Similar to many of the British breeds of upland sheep, Clun Forest are hardy, adaptable, good foragers, and are long–lived. With sleek heads and wide pelvic structures, Clun... |
--- | England | Meat, milk, wool | |
| Coburger Fuchsschaf Coburger Fuchsschaf The Coburger Fuchsschaf is a breed of domestic sheep from Germany. From the 19th century to the early 20th century, this breed was abundant. However, after World War II, the Coburger Fuchsschaf was nearly extinct... |
--- | Coburg Fox Sheep | Germany | Vegetation management |
| Columbia Columbia (sheep) The Columbia is one of the first breeds of sheep developed in the United States. The product of USDA and university research, it was intended to be an improved breed specially built for the Western ranges of the country . Beginning in 1912 in Laramie, Wyoming, Lincoln rams were crossed with... |
--- | United States | Wool | |
| Comeback Comeback (sheep) The Comeback is a type of domestic sheep originating in Australia. This type of sheep results from crossbreds produced by British Longwool sheep and a Merinos being mated back to Merinos. This cross is made in order to achieve a finer, better style of wool. Comeback style wool is also produced by... |
--- | --- | Australia | Meat, wool |
| Comisana Comisana The Comisana is a breed of domestic sheep from Italy and specifically Sicily. It is a composite breed from the 19th century to early 20th century of the local Maltese and Sicilian... |
--- | Lentinese, Red Head, Testa rossa, Faccia rossa | Italy | Milk |
| Coolalee Coolalee (sheep) The Coolalee is an Australian short wool, meat sheep breed, developed from an eight year breeding program commenced in 1968. The breed resulted from the crossing of the Wiltshire Horn, Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Poll Dorset, Lincoln and English Leicester sheep breeds.The first Coolalee rams became... |
 |
--- | Australia | Meat |
| Coopworth |  |
--- | New Zealand | Meat, wool |
| Cormo Cormo (sheep) The Cormo is an Australian breed of sheep developed in Tasmania by crossing Corriedale rams with superfine Saxon Merino ewes in the early 1960s. The name Cormo is derived from the names of two of the parent breeds, Corriedale and Merino. The breed was fixed through intense selection criteria,... |
 |
--- | Australia | Wool |
| Corriedale Corriedale (sheep) Corriedale sheep are a dual purpose breed, meaning they are used both in the production of wool and meat. The Corriedale is the oldest of all the crossbred breeds, a Merino-Lincoln cross developed almost simultaneously in Australia and New Zealand and first brought to the United States in 1914... |
--- | Australia | Meat, wool | |
| Cotswold Cotswold sheep Cotswold sheep are a breed of domestic sheep originating in the Cotswold hills of the southern midlands of England. It is a dual-use breed providing both meat and wool... |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat, wool | |
| Criollo Criollo (sheep) The Criollo is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the highlands of South and Central America. In the mid 16th Century, Spanish settlers brought the Churra with them. This is believed to be the ancestor of the modern day Criollo... |
--- | Creole, Chilludo, Colombian, Lucero, Pampa, Tarhumara, Uruguayan, Venezuelan | Central America Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent... |
Meat |
| Curkana | --- | --- | Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... |
Milk, Wool |
D
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dala Fur sheep Dala Fur sheep The Dala-fur is a breed of domestic sheep originating in Sweden. The Dala-fur is one of several sheep breeds that are remnents of the old Swedish landrace breed, and is one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep breeds.... |
--- | --- | Sweden Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
--- |
| Dalesbred Dalesbred The Dalesbred is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the United Kingdom. Derived from the Swaledale and Scottish Blackface breeds, the Dalesbred is a hill breed most common around Upper Wharfedale and the Central Pennines in England... |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat, wool | |
| Dagliç Dagliç (sheep) The Dagliç is a breed of sheep found primarily in western Anatolia in Turkey. They are a carpet wool breed used for both meat and dairy production. Sheep of this breed typically have black spots on the head and legs, the rams are usually horned and the ewes are polled... |
--- | --- | Turkey | Meat, milk |
| Damani Damani (sheep) The Damani is a thin tail, meat and wool breed which is found in the Dera Ismail Khan district and part of Bannu district in NWF Province of Pakistan.-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | Pakistan | Meat, wool |
| Damara Damara (sheep) The Damara is a breed of domestic sheep and was originally from Eastern Asia and Egypt. The breed then moved down to the present day Namibia and Angola. For many years the sheep were in an isolated region of Namibia and thus remained free of influence from other breeds... |
--- | --- | Namibia Namibia Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March... |
Meat |
| Danish Landrace Danish Landrace (sheep) The Danish Landrace is a breed of sheep endemic to Jutland in Denmark. The breed, which had a population of approximately 370 in 2000, is descended from Heath sheep and Merino, with early specimen interbreeding in the 19th century with Leicester and Oxford Down... |
Landfår, Klitfår | Denmark Denmark Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark... |
Wool | |
| Debouillet Debouillet (sheep) The Debouillet is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It was developed in the 1920's through crossing Rambouillet and Delaine Merino sheep, and the breed's name is a portmanteau of these two ancestors... |
--- | --- | United States | Wool |
| Derbyshire Gritstone Derbyshire Gritstone The Derbyshire Gritstone is a breed of domestic sheep native to the United Kingdom. A hardy hill sheep, it is also one of the oldest British breeds. The Gritstone is generally found around Derbyshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire. They are large, polled sheep with black and white faces... |
--- | --- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Deutsches Bergschaf Deutsches Bergschaf The Deutsches Bergschaf is a breed of domestic sheep native to Germany. The breed was developed by breeding local sheep with Bergamasca and Tyrol Mountain breeds. It is a dual-purpose breed .... |
--- | Weißes Bergschaf, White Mountain, Deutsches Weisses Bergschaf | Germany | Meat, wool |
| Devon Closewool Devon Closewool The Devon Closewool is a breed of the domestic sheep originating in the Exmoor region of southwest England. This breed is raised primarily for meat. It was developed in the late 19th century by crossing native Exmoor ewes with a Devon Longwool ram. A breed society was formed in 1923, and the first... |
--- | --- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Djallonke | --- | |||
| Devon Longwoolled Devon Longwoolled The Devon Longwooled is a breed of domestic sheep from the United Kingdom. This breed is raised for meat and long wool. They were developed by crossing Leicester Longwool with Southam Nott and Bampton Nott.... |
--- | Devon Longwool | United Kingdom | Meat, wool |
| Dohne Merino Dohne Merino The Dohne Merino is a breed of domestic sheep from South Africa. The breed was started in the late 1930s by the South African Department of Agriculture. It was developed by interbreeding Peppin-style Merino ewes and German Mutton Merino rams... |
--- | Dohne, El Dohne Merino | South Africa | Meat, wool |
| Dorper |  |
--- | South Africa | Meat |
| Dorset Dorset (sheep) The Dorset or Dorset Horned breed of sheep is known mostly for its prolific lambing. It has been known to produce two lambing seasons per year: bred in May for lambs finished by the holidays, and bred again immediately after the first lambing to produce again in March or April... |
Dorset Horn, Dorset Horned | United States | Meat | |
| Dorset Down Dorset Down The Dorset Down is a breed of sheep native to the Dorset Downs region of England. It originated in the early 19th century from crosses of local and Hampshire ewes with Southdown rams. The breed is not closely related to the Dorset , which is a white-faced sheep.Dorset Downs are medium-sized, robust... |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat | |
| Drysdale |  |
--- | New Zealand | Wool |
E
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easycare Easycare Easycare is a breed of sheep developed in the 1960s in the United Kingdom for meat. It was derived from the Nelson Welsh Mountain which were crossed twice to the Wiltshire Horn, which is a wool-shedding breed. The progeny were selected for the following characteristics: wool shedding; no horns;... |
--- | --- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| East Friesian |  |
Ostfriesisches Milchschaf | Germany | Milk |
| Elliottdale Elliottdale The Eliottdale is a breed of domestic sheep originating from Tasmania. It is a carpet wool breed raised primarily for its wool. Due to the amount of wool grown by the Eliottdale, it needs to be shorn twice per year.- Characteristics :... |
--- | --- | Tasmania Tasmania Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart... |
Wool |
| English Leicester |  |
Bakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester, Improved Leicester, Leicester, Leicester Longwool, New Leicester | England | Meat |
| Estonian Ruhnu Estonian Ruhnu sheep Estonian Ruhnu sheep are a breed of native domesticated sheep found on the small Estonian island of Ruhnu in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea.... |
--- | Eesti maalammas | Estonia Estonia Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies... |
Meat, wool |
| Exmoor Horn |  |
--- | Exmoor Exmoor Exmoor is an area of hilly open moorland in west Somerset and north Devon in South West England, named after the main river that flows out of the district, the River Exe. The moor has given its name to a National Park, which includes the Brendon Hills, the East Lyn Valley, the Vale of Porlock and ... |
Meat |
F
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabrianese Fabrianese Fabrianese is a breed of domestic sheep originating in Italy. The Fabrianese grows coarse wool and is raised primarily for meat and milk. It originated by crossing local Apennine to Bergamasca.- Characteristics :... |
--- | --- | Italy | Meat, milk |
| Faroes Faroes (sheep) The Faroes is a breed of domestic sheep native to the Faroe Islands. One of the Northern European short-tailed sheep, it is a small, very hardy breed. Faroes ewes weigh around at maturity, and rams are . Rams are horned and ewes are usually polled, and the breed occurs naturally in many different... |
--- | Faroe Islands | Meat, wool | |
| Fat-tailed sheep Fat-tailed sheep The fat-tailed sheep is a general type of domestic sheep known for their distinctive large tails and hindquarters. Fat-tailed sheep breeds comprise approximately 25% of the world sheep population, and are commonly found in northern parts of Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, North India, Western... (group of breeds) |
--- | Africa Africa Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area... , Middle east Middle East The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East... , Near East Near East The Near East is a geographical term that covers different countries for geographers, archeologists, and historians, on the one hand, and for political scientists, economists, and journalists, on the other... , Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan... , Northern India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... , Western China China Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture... , Mongolia Mongolia Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest... |
Meat | |
| Finnsheep Finnsheep The Finnish Landrace or Finnsheep is a breed of domestic sheep which has a high incidence of multiple births – it is common for a ewe to have three, four, or even five lambs at once. In North America there have been several instances of births of seven lambs, and the record in Finland is nine... |
Finnish Landrace | Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
Meat | |
| Flanders Milk sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| French Alpine sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Friesian Milk sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fuglestad | --- | --- | --- | --- |
G
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaddi | Northern Breeds | India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
Meat and Wool. | |
| Galway Galway (sheep) The Galway is a breed of domestic sheep originating in Galway, in the west of Ireland. They are a large polled white-faced sheep, having a characteristic bob of wool on the head and wool on the legs. The outer lips are of a dark colour and dark spots on the ears are common. The average litter size... |
--- | --- | Ireland | Meat |
| Ganjia | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gansu Alpine Fine-wool | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gentile di Puglia | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Geschecktes Bergschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ghezel | Red karaman, Gezel | North West of Iran, Southern Azerbaijan | Meat, wool | |
| Gotland Gotland (sheep) The Gotland, also called the Gotland Pelt , is a breed of domestic sheep named for the Swedish island of Gotland. They are one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep breeds, and are thought to be the product of crossbreeding between the native landrace of the island — called the Gute — with... |
Gotland pelt | Sweden | Meat | |
| Gökçeada | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Greyface Dartmoor Greyface Dartmoor The Greyface Dartmoor is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the Dartmoor region of the United Kingdom. A large, long-wooled breed, the Greyface Dartmoor is a rare breed known for its distinctive facial markings. Its fleece can weight , and today the breed is primarily raised for... |
 |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Grey Troender Grey Troender sheep The Norwegian Grey Troender is an endangered breed of domesticated sheep that originated from crossbreeding native landrace sheep with the now extinct Tautra sheep in the late 19th century... |
--- | Grå trøndersau | Norway Norway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... |
Wool |
| Gromark Gromark (sheep) Gromark sheep are a large-framed, plain bodied dual-purpose breed of sheep that were under development in 1965 by Arthur C. Godlee at "Marengo", Tamworth, New South Wales... |
--- | Australia | Meat, wool | |
| Groningen Milk sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gulf Coast Native Gulf Coast Native The Gulf Coast Native is a breed of sheep native to the U.S. states bordering the Gulf Coast. Also occasionally known as the Louisiana Scrub, Pineywoods Native or simply Gulf Coast sheep, the breed is a mix of many of the sheep varieties which populated the Southern United States during the... |
--- | --- | --- | --- |
| Guirra | --- | --- | Mediterranean coast of Spain | Meat |
| Gute Gute (sheep) The Gute is a landrace breed of domestic sheep native to the Swedish island of Gotland. The Gute is the most primitive breed native to Sweden, and is one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep. The modern Gotland breed is its direct descendant... |
--- | Sweden | Genetic conservation |
H
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampshire Hampshire sheep The Hampshire or Hampshire Down is a breed of sheep which originated around 1829 from a cross of Southdowns with the Old Hampshire breed, the Wiltshire Horn, and the Berkshire Nott, all horned, white-faced sheep — these were native to the open, untilled, hilly stretch of land known as the Hampshire... |
Hampshire Down | United Kingdom | Meat | |
| Han | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Langzhou Large-tail HanHan subtype | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small-tail Han | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hanzhong | --- | --- | China | --- |
| Harnai | --- | --- | --- | |
| Hasht Nagri | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hazaragie | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hebridean Hebridean (sheep) The Hebridean is a breed of small black sheep from Scotland, similar to other members of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group, having a short, triangular tail. They often have two pairs of horns... |
St Kilda sheep | Scotland | Vegetation management | |
| Heidschnucke Heidschnucke The Heidschnucke is a group of three types of moorland sheep from northern Germany. Like a number of other types from Scandinavia and Great Britain, they are Northern European short-tailed sheep... |
Family of sheep including the 3 breeds below |
Germany | Meat, vegetation management, wool | |
| Graue gehörnte HeidschnuckeHeidschnucke subtype | Grey Horned Heath | Germany | Meat, vegetation management, wool | |
| Moorschnucke | White Polled Heath White Polled Heath The White Polled Heath is a small breed and landrace of North German sheep and belongs to the Heidschnucke family, part of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group. However, unlike the other Heidschnucke types, it is entirely white and polled .- Origin :The White Polled Heath originated from... |
Germany | Meat, vegetation management, wool | |
| Weiße gehörnte Heidschnucke | --- | White Horned Heath | Germany | Meat, vegetation management, wool |
| Herdwick | --- | England | Meat | |
| Herik | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hill Radnor Hill Radnor The Hill Radnor is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the United Kingdom. Classified as one of the mountain breeds, it is most common from Powys down to southwest Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. The Hill Radnor has a dense white fleece, with a light brown face and legs. Ewes are polled and... |
--- | --- | Wales | Meat |
| Hog Island Hog Island sheep Hog Island sheep are a breed of sheep that was developed from feral animals on Virginia's Hog Island beginning in the 17th century. During the 1930s and 1940s, storm conditions forced the island's residents to evacuate, leaving some sheep behind... |
--- | United States | Wool | |
| Hu | --- | --- | --- | --- |
I
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icelandic sheep Icelandic sheep The Icelandic sheep is a breed of domestic sheep. The Icelandic breed is one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep, which exhibit a fluke-shaped, naturally short tail. The Icelandic is a mid-sized breed, generally short legged and stocky, with face and legs free of wool... |
 |
--- | Iceland Iceland Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population... |
Meat, milk, wool |
| Inner Mongolian wool | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Île-de-France Île-de-France (sheep) The Île-de-France is a breed of sheep native to the French region of Île-de-France near Paris. It was first developed at a French veterinary college in the 1830s through crosses of Dishley Leicester and Rambouillet, and was originally known as the Dishley Merino... |
--- | Dishley Merino | France | Meat |
| Iranian Red sheep Iranian Red sheep Iranian red sheep or Armenian Mouflon is an critically endangered species of mouflon endemic to Armenia, Iran and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.-Habitat:... |
--- | Oriental Mouflon | Iran | Meat |
| Istrian milk | --- | --- | --- | --- |
J
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Jacob (sheep) The Jacob sheep is a rare breed of small, piebald , polycerate sheep. Jacobs may have from two to six horns, but most commonly have four. The most common color is black and white, but they may also be blue and white or lilac and white in coloring. Jacobs are usually raised for their wool, meat,... |
--- | United Kingdom | Hides, meat, pet Pet A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful... , wool |
|
| Jezerskosolcavska | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Juraschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
K
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kachhi | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kajli | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kamakuyruk | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Karakul |  |
--- | Central Asia Central Asia Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north... |
Hides, meat, milk, wool |
| Karayaka Karayaka The Karayaka is a breed of domestic sheep from Turkey. It is a dual purpose breed producing meat and milk. The wool is used in carpets. The Karayaka is classified as a long thin-tailed breed.- Characteristics :... |
--- | Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
Meat, milk, wool | |
| Katahdin Katahdin (sheep) The Katahdin is a breed of domestic sheep developed in Maine, USA, mostly in the second half of the 20th century. This breed was originated by Michael Piel who after reading an article in the February 1956 National Geographic imported selected St. Croix sheep chosen by Dr... |
--- | --- | United States | Meat |
| Kempen Heath | --- | --- | Netherlands | --- |
| Kerry Hill Kerry Hill (sheep) The Kerry Hill is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the county of Powys in Wales. It derives its name from the village of Kerry , near Newtown. Kerry Hill sheep have a distinctive and unique coloration, with a white face bearing black markings around the mouth, ears, and eyes. Both rams... |
--- | Wales | Meat | |
| Kivircik | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kooka Kooka The Kooka is a thin tailed, sheep found in Pakistan.Kooka have a white body coat and a black face. The have a compact body and produce an average of one liter of milk each day.... |
--- | --- | Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan... |
Milk |
| Krainer Steinschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kashmir Merino | --- | --- | --- | Wool |
| Karagouniko | --- | --- | --- | --- |
L
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacaune Lacaune (sheep) The Lacaune is a breed of domestic sheep originating near Lacaune in southern France. The Lacaune is the most widely used dairying sheep breed in France, with a population of about 800,000 ewes... |
 |
--- | France | Milk |
| Landais | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Langhe | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lati | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Latxa Latxa The Latxa is a breed of domestic sheep native to the Basque Country of Spain. Mostly contained within the provinces of Biscay, Gipuzkoa and Navarre, Latxa are dairy sheep whose unpasteurized milk is used to produce Idiazábal and Roncal cheeses. There are two sub-types of the breed, a dark-faced... |
--- | Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
Milk | |
| Leineschaf | --- | Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
Wool, Meat | |
| Lincoln Lincoln (sheep) The Lincoln, sometimes called the Lincoln Longwool, is a breed of sheep from England. The Lincoln is the largest British sheep, developed specifically to produce the heaviest, longest and most lustrous fleece of any breed in the world. Great numbers were exported to many countries to improve the... |
Lincoln Longwool | England | Meat, wool | |
| Lithuanian Black-headed | --- | --- | Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark... |
Meat, wool |
| Llanwenog Llanwenog (sheep) The Llanwenog is a breed of domestic sheep originating in Wales. It was developed in the 19th century from the Llanllwni, Shropshire, Welsh Mountain, and Clun Forest breeds. The Llanwenog's native locale is the Teifi Valley, in western Wales, but it has since spread in to other areas. The breed... |
--- | --- | Wales | Meat |
| Lleyn Lleyn (sheep) Lleyn sheep are a breed of sheep from the Llŷn peninsula , in Gwynedd, north-west Wales.They are bred for prolificacy, good mothering, quiet in nature, high milk yield and excellent for white wool. They are suited to both upland and lowland grazing.... |
--- | Wales | Meat | |
| Lohi Lohi sheep The Lohi sheep is found in southern Punjab in Pakistan. It is used for its carpet quality wool and meat production. The body is white and the head is usually tan, black or brown.... |
--- | --- | Pakistan | Wool |
| Lonk | --- | Improved Haslingden | England | Meat, wool |
| Luzein sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
M
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maltese | --- | --- | Malta | --- |
| Manchega | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Manech | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marwari Marwari Marwari may refer to:* Marwar, a region in Rajasthan, India* Marwari language, a language of the Marwar region* Marwaris, people from the Marwar region* Muslim Marwaris, Muslim people from the Marwar region living in Karachi Pakistan... ,(marwadi) |
wool Wool 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.... |
meat | Found in India | |
| Manx Loaghtan Manx Loaghtan The Manx Loaghtan is a breed of sheep native to the Isle of Man. It is sometimes spelled as Loaghtyn or Loghtan. It is characterized by a dark brown wool and usually having four or occasionally six horns.... |
 |
Loaghtyn, Loghtan | Isle of Man Isle of Man The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is... |
Wool |
| Masai | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Massese sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Meatmaster Meatmaster (sheep) The Meatmaster is a breed of domestic sheep native to South Africa. Bred in the early 1990s from various hair sheep breeds, the Meatmaster was created with the goal of improving the meat characteristics of African fat-tailed sheep breeds in mind... |
--- | South Africa | Meat | |
| Mehraban Mehraban (sheep) These sheep originated in the western province Hamadan, in Iran where it is the predominant breed. It is raised primarily for meat production. There is approximately 3 million head.... |
--- | --- | Iran | Meat |
| Merinizzata Italiana | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 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... |
 |
--- | Spain | Meat, wool |
| Argentine MerinoMerino subtype | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arles Merino | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Booroola Merino | --- | --- | Australia | Research, wool |
| Delaine Merino Delaine Merino The Delaine Merino is a type of Merino sheep predominant in North America. It has fewer skin wrinkles than some types of Merino, but still has a fine, oily fleece that extends through the legs. They are hardy and long–lived, with an ability to thrive on the arid ranges of the Southwest United... |
--- | --- | United States | Wool |
| Fonthill Merino | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Karacabey Merino | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Medium-wool Merino | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Merinofleischschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Merinolandschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Merino Longwool | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Poll Merino Poll Merino The Poll Merino is a subtype of the Australian Merino breed of domestic sheep, without horns, that was developed in Australia.-Characteristics:... |
--- | Australia | Meat, wool | |
| South African Merino | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| South African Meat Merino South African Meat Merino The South African Meat Merino or SAMM is a wool and meat sheep originating in South Africa, but now found throughout the world.The SAMM is derived from Deutsche Fleisch Merino animals imported into South Africa from Europe in 1932, to improve the quality of wool and meat from sheep in South Africa... |
 |
SAMM | South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
Meat, wool |
| Strong Wool Merino | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ming Black | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Moghani | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Montadale | --- | --- | United States | Meat, wool |
| Morada Nova Morada Nova (sheep) Morada Nova or Brazilian Woolless is the name of a breed of domestic sheep originating in Ceará, states of Brazil, located in the northeastern part of the country, on the Atlantic coast.This breed is primarily raised for meat.-Characteristics:... |
--- | Brazilian Woolless | Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... |
Meat |
| Moles | --- | --- | --- | --- |
N
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Najdi Najdi (sheep) The Najdi or Nejdi is a breed of domestic sheep native to the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula. Though it is primarily raised in Saudi Arabia, Nadji sheep are also present in Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, and Iraq.... |
Nejdi | Saudi Arabia | Meat, hobby | |
| Nali Nali Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî (1800-1873 in Istanbul, Turkey, was a Kurdish polymath, who is considered to be one of the greatest Kurdish poet in Kurdish... |
--- | Western India | India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
Wool |
| Navajo-Churro sheep Navajo-Churro sheep The Navajo-Churro, or Churro for short, is a breed of domestic sheep originating with the Spanish Churra sheep obtained by the Navajo Indian tribe. The breed is renowned for its hardiness and adaptability to extremes of climate. Its wool consists of a protective topcoat and soft undercoat... |
 |
--- | United States | Wool |
| Newfoundland Newfoundland sheep The Newfoundland, also called the Newfoundland Local, is a breed of sheep native to Newfoundland.The islands of Newfoundland are mainly supported through fisheries, but a persistent population of sheep has been present since the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and a native landrace has... |
--- | Newfoundland Local | Canada | --- |
| Nellore | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nolana sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Norfolk Horn Norfolk Horn (sheep) The Norfolk Horn is one of the British black-faced sheep breeds. It differs from other black-faced breeds which are mainly found in high-rainfall upland areas, and from most other modern lowland British sheep breeds in being lightly built and very hardy... |
Blackface Norfolk Horned, Norfolk Horned, Old Norfolk, Old Norfolk Horned | United Kingdom | Meat | |
| North Ronaldsay |  |
Orkney | Scotland | Wool |
| Northern European short-tailed sheep Northern European short-tailed sheep Northern European short-tailed sheep are a group of sheep breeds and landraces from the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the area around the Baltic. They are thought to be derived from the first sheep brought to Europe by early farmers... (group of breeds) |
 |
--- | British Isles British Isles The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and... , Scandinavia Scandinavia Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,... , Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... , Russia Russia Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects... |
Meat, milk, wool |
| Norwegian Fur | --- | --- | --- | --- |
O
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ossimi | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ouessant Ouessant (sheep) The Ouessant is a breed of domestic sheep from the island of Ouessant off the coast of Brittany, France. It is one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep breeds, together with several other types from Great Britain, Scandinavia and Germany. Also occasionally called the Breton Dwarf, it is... |
 |
Ushant, Breton Island Dwarf | France | Hobby, wool |
| Oula | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oxford Oxford sheep Oxford sheep is an English breed developed in the 1830s by crossing the Cotswold with a forerunner of the Hampshire, and using the resulting cross-breeds to form the basis of the present-day breed... |
 |
Oxford Down | United Kingdom | Meat |
P
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pag Island | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pagliarola | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Panama Panama (sheep) The Panama is a breed of domestic sheep native to the United States. Thought its name is identical to the country of Panama, the breed was in fact named for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition where it was shown early on in its history.... |
--- | --- | United States | Meat |
| Pedi Sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pelibüey Pelibüey (sheep) The Pelibüey is a breed of domestic sheep native to the Caribbean, Mexico, South America. The Pelibüey is a breed of hair sheep, meaning they do not generally grow wool. This adaptation makes them especially useful for tropical environments where heavily-wooled sheep do not thrive... |
 |
Cubano Rojo | Caribbean Caribbean The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north... , Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... , South America South America South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east... |
Meat |
| Perendale | --- | --- | New Zealand | Meat |
| Pinzirita | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pitt Island | --- | --- | Chatham Islands Chatham Islands The Chatham Islands are an archipelago and New Zealand territory in the Pacific Ocean consisting of about ten islands within a radius, the largest of which are Chatham Island and Pitt Island. Their name in the indigenous language, Moriori, means Misty Sun... , New Zealand |
Wool |
| Polwarth Polwarth (sheep) Polwarth is a breed of sheep that was developed in Victoria during 1880. They were of one quarter Lincoln and three quarters Merino bloodlines. They are large, predominantly polled sheep with long, soft, quite fine wool and produce good meat carcases... |
--- | --- | Australia | Meat, wool |
| Polypay Polypay (sheep) The Polypay sheep breed is a white, medium sized sheep which was developed in the 1960s at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho. In general, Polypay sheep are noted for being a highly prolific, dual-purpose breed.-Breed goals:... |
--- | --- | United States | Meat, wool |
| Portland Portland (sheep) The Portland is a sheep breed that takes its name from the Isle of Portland. This breed is raised primarily for meat.-History:Once common all over Dorset, the breed was once of the one rarest in Britain and is still at risk. In the 1970s, it was nearly extinct altogether, but has now recovered... |
--- | --- | England | Meat |
| Priangan Priangan (sheep) The Priangan is a breed of sheep found in west Java, Indonesia. The breed is used primarily for ram fighting and meat. It is a variety of the Javanese Thin-tailed. Africander and Merino breeding may have been introduced in the 19th century.-Characteristics:They are usually black or pied,... |
--- | Garut | Indonesia Indonesia Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an... |
Ram fighting Blood sport Bloodsport or blood sport is any sport or entertainment that involves violence against animals.Bloodsport includes coursing or beagling, combat sports such as cockfighting and dog fighting, or other activities... , meat |
| Polish Heath | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Poll Dorset Poll Dorset The Poll Dorset is a short wool, meat producing sheep that was developed in Australia between 1937 and 1954 with the aim of breeding a true Dorset type sheep without horns. The poll gene was introduced into Dorset Horn flocks from two other polled breeds and following a strict back-mating programme... |
 |
--- | Australia | Meat |
| Pomeranian Coarsewool Sheep Pomeranian Coarsewool Sheep The Pomeranian Coarsewool Sheep or Pomeranian Sheep is an old domestic sheep breed from the Pomerania region. The first records of similar sheep in Pomerania can be traced to more than 3000 years ago... |
 |
Pomeranian Sheep, Rauhwolliges Pommersches Landschaf | Germany | Meat, vegetation management |
Q
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qashqai | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Qiaoke | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Qinghai Black Tibetan | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Qinghai Semifinewool | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Quadrella | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Quanglin Large-Tail | --- | --- | --- | --- |
R
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabo Largo | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Racka Racka The Racka is a breed of sheep known for its unusual spiral-shaped horns. These unique appendages are unlike any other domestic sheep horns, and may grow up to long. The smallest standard length is for rams and for ewes.... |
Ovce cápová, Cápovice | Hungary | Meat, milk, wool | |
| Rahmany sheep | --- | El-rahmani | Egypt | Meat, Milk, Wool |
| Rambouillet Rambouillet (sheep) The Rambouillet is also known as the Rambouillet Merino or the French Merino. The development of the Rambouillet breed started in 1786 when Louis XVI purchased over three hundred Spanish Merinos from his cousin, King Charles III of Spain... |
 |
Rambouillet Merino, French Merino | France | Meat, wool |
| Rasa Aragonesa | --- | --- | Aragón | Meat |
| Red Engadine | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Red Karaman | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Red Maasai | --- | East Africa | Meat | |
| Rhoen sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rideau Arcott Rideau Arcott The Rideau Arcott is a breed of domestic sheep native to Canada. One of only a few livestock breeds native to the country, the Rideau name is a common one in Ottawa... |
--- | --- | Canada | --- |
| Romanov Romanov (sheep) Romanov is a breed of domestic sheep originating from the Upper Volga region in Russia. These domestic sheep got the name Romanov from the town of the same name. In the 18th century, these sheep first got noticed. Soon after they were noticed, they were imported into Germany and then into France... |
--- | --- | Russia Russia Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects... |
Meat |
| Romeldale | Romeldale/CVM | United States | Meat, wool | |
| Romney sheep Romney (sheep) The Romney, formerly called the Romney Marsh sheep but generally referred-to by the local farmers as the Kent, is a breed of sheep originating in England. The Romney is a "long-wool" breed recognized in England by 1800... |
Romney Marsh | United Kingdom | Meat | |
| Roslag Roslag sheep The Roslag sheep is a breed of endangered domesticated sheep that originated in and is almost exclusively found in Sweden.Roslag sheep originate from the remnant populations of Swedish landrace breeds that used to be rather common all over the countryside, but are generally believed to have come... |
--- | Roslagsfår | Sweden | Meat, wool |
| Rouge de l'Ouest Rouge de l'Ouest The Rouge de l'Ouest is breed of domestic sheep originating in France. The breed's name, which literally translates from French as "Red of the West", refers to its region of origin and its unique pinkish face and legs... |
 |
Tête rouge du Maine | France | Meat |
| Rouge de Roussillon | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rough Fell Rough Fell (sheep) The Rough Fell is an upland breed of sheep, originating in the UK. It is common on fell and moorland farms, its distribution embracing a large proportion of South Cumbria, parts of the West Riding of Yorkshire, North Lancashire and, more recently, upland parts of Devon... |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat | |
| Royal White Royal White The Royal White is a new breed of domestic sheep in the United States privately funded and developed by William Hoag. This sheep is a hybrid breed that produces more meat, less fat, and less wool, to optimize the meat per feed pound ratio. Lean, tender meat is the purpose of this breed. The breed... |
--- | --- | United States | Meat |
| Ruda Ruda (sheep) Ruda is a breed of sheep found mostly in Albania and Croatia. In 2009, Ruda sheep is the most endangered breed of sheep in the Republic of Croatia. The Ruda may be related to the Romanian Tsigai. This breed is primarily raised for wool.-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | Albania Albania Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea... , Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
Wool |
| Rya Rya (sheep) Rya, also known as Ryafår or Swedish Carpet Wool Sheep, is a breed of sheep that is native to Sweden. The breed originated from the Swedish and Norwegian landrace breeds. This double-coated breed of Swedish Landrace origin also contains some Norwegian Spælsau heritage... |
--- | Ryafår, Swedish Carpet Wool Sheep | Sweden | Wool |
| Ryeland Ryeland The Ryeland is one of the oldest of British sheep breeds going back seven centuries when the monks of Leominster in Herefordshire bred sheep and grazed them on the rye pastures, giving them their name... |
 |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Rygja | --- | --- | --- | --- |
S
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahel-type | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sakiz Sakiz (sheep) The Sakiz is a carpet wool breed of sheep also kept for meat and milk production. They can be found in the region surrounding Izmir in Turkey.The males are horned.... |
--- | Çesme | Turkey | Wool |
| Sargin | Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Turkmenistan , formerly also known as Turkmenia is one of the Turkic states in Central Asia. Until 1991, it was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic . Turkmenistan is one of the six independent Turkic states... |
|||
| Santa Cruz Santa Cruz sheep Santa Cruz sheep are an extremely rare breed of domestic sheep that once existed as a feral population on the Santa Cruz Island of the Channel Islands of California. Small and hardy, the sheep were all killed or removed from the island to prevent destruction of natural habitats. Today, they number... |
--- | United States | Wool | |
| Sardinian Sardinian (sheep) The Sardinian is a breed of domestic sheep from the island Sardinia. It was developed from crosses of local lowland sheep, Merinos, and North African sheep... |
--- | Italy | Milk | |
| Šar Mountain | --- | --- | Serbia, Macedonia | Meat, Milk, Wool |
| Schoonebeker | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Schwarzes Bergschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Scottish Blackface Scottish Blackface The Scottish Blackface is the most common breed of domestic sheep in the United Kingdom. This tough and adaptable breed is often found in the more exposed locations, such as the Scottish Highlands or roaming on the moors of Dartmoor... |
 |
Blackfaced Highland, Kerry, Linton, Scotch Blackface, Scotch Horn, Scottish Highland, Scottish Mountain | Scotland | Meat |
| Scottish Dunface Scottish Dunface The Scottish Dunface, Old Scottish Short-wool, Scottish Whiteface or Scottish Tanface was a type of sheep from Scotland. It was one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group, and it was probably similar to the sheep kept throughout the British Isles in the Iron Age... |
Scottish Tanface, Old Scottish Short-wool | Scotland (extinct) | Meat, wool | |
| Serrai | Serraika, Serron | Greece Greece Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe.... , Serres Serres Serres is a city in Greece, seat of the Serres prefecture.Serres may also refer to:Places:* Serres, Germany, a part of Wiernsheim in Baden-WürttembergIn France:* Serres, Aude in the Aude département... |
Meat, Milk, Wool | |
| Shetland Shetland (sheep) The Shetland sheep is a small, fine-woolled breed of sheep originating in the Shetland Isles, but now also kept in many other parts of the world. It is one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group, and is closely related to the extinct Scottish Dunface. Shetlands are classed as a... |
 |
--- | Shetland Islands | Meat, wool |
| Shropshire Shropshire (sheep) The Shropshire breed of domestic sheep originated from the hills of Shropshire, and North Staffordshire, England, during the 1840s. The breeders in the area used the local horned black-faced sheep and crossed them with a few breeds of white-faced sheep . This produced a medium-sized polled sheep... |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat | |
| Sicilian Barbary | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Skudde | skudden | Landscape grazing, felting, meat | ||
| Soay Soay sheep The Soay sheep is a primitive breed of domestic sheep descended from a population of feral sheep on the island of Soay in the St. Kilda Archipelago, about from the Western Isles of Scotland... |
 |
--- | Scotland | Meat |
| Somali Somali sheep The Somali sheep, occasionally known as the Berbera Blackhead, is a hair sheep native to Somalia. The animal is reared primarily for meat production and it is one of the major exports of the Somali economy.-Appearance:... |
Berbera Blackhead | Somalia | Meat | |
| Sopravissana | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| South Devon | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| South Dorset | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| South Hampshire | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Southdown Southdown (sheep) The Southdown is a small, dual purpose British sheep but is raised primarily for meat. The Southdown breed was originally bred by John Ellman of Glynde, near Lewes, East Sussex about 200 years ago. His work was continued by Jonas Webb of Babraham in Cambridgeshire who developed the larger animal... |
 |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| South Wales Mountain | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spælsau | Old Norwegian Short Tail Landrace | Norway | Meat | |
| Spiegel | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| St. Croix St. Croix sheep The St Croix is a breed of domestic sheep native to the U.S. Virgin Islands and named for the island of Saint Croix. They are often also called Virgin Island White because those that were imported into North America were selected for white coloration. On the Island of St... |
 |
Virgin Island white | Virgin Islands Virgin Islands The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean... |
Meat |
| Steigar | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Steinschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Suffolk Suffolk (sheep) Suffolk are a black-faced, open-faced breed of domestic sheep raised primarily for meat.-Ewes:They are mainly raised for wool and meat production especially when crossed with the progeny of a mountain ewe. For example, a purebred upland ewe such as a Welsh Mountain ewe might be bred with a breeding... |
 |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Sumavska | --- | --- | Czech Republic | Meat, milk, wool |
| Swaledale Swaledale (sheep) Swaledale is a breed of domestic sheep named after the Yorkshire valley of Swaledale. They are found throughout the more mountainous areas of Great Britain, but particularly in County Durham, Yorkshire, and most commonly around the pennine fells of Cumbria.... |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat, wool | |
| Swedish Fur sheep | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Swifter | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Schweizer Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Schweizer Alpenschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
T
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taleshi | --- | --- | Iran | Meat |
| Tan | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Targhee | --- | --- | United States | Wool |
| Tautra | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Teeswater Teeswater (sheep) The Teeswater is a breed of sheep from Teesdale, United Kingdom. It is a longwool breed of sheep, which produces a generally large-diameter fibre. The breed is raised primarily for meat.... |
--- | --- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Texel Texel (sheep) The Texel is a breed of domestic sheep originally from the island of Texel in the Netherlands. It is now a popular lean meat sheep in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay and Europe. The Texel is a heavily muscled sheep. It produces a lean meat carcass and will pass on this quality to crossbred... |
 |
--- | Netherlands Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
Meat |
| Thalli | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tiroler Steinschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Touabire | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tsurcana | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tukidale | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tunis Tunis (sheep) The Tunis is a medium sized sheep, that is naturally hornless, with cream-colored wool and a cinnamon-red face and legs. This breed is raised primarily for meat.-Characteristics:... |
 |
Tunisian Barbary | Tunisia Tunisia Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area... |
Meat |
| Tuj | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Türkgeldi | --- | --- | --- | --- |
U
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uda | --- | --- | --- | --- |
V
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valachian Sheep | --- | Native Wallachian sheep | Czech Republic | Meat, milk, wool |
| Valachian Improved Sheep | --- | --- | Czech Republic | Meat, milk, wool |
| Valais Blacknose | Wallis Blacknose, Walliser Schwarznaseschaf, Blacknosed Swiss, Visp, Visperschaf | Switzerland | Meat | |
| Van Rooy | --- | Van Rooy White Persian | South Africa | Meat |
| Vendéen Vendéen The Vendéen is a breed of domestic sheep originating near Vendée in western France. It was developed by crossing local ewes with Southdown rams in the early 19th century. It is primarily a meat breed known for its muscularity and ability to produce large litters of lambs. They have a fine,... |
--- | --- | France | Meat |
W
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wallis Country | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Waziri Waziri (sheep) The Waziri is breed of domestic sheep from the Waziristan region of Pakistan. The Waziri is a fat-tailed breed kept for mutton and wool production. They are also found in the Bannu District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. They are a medium size with a white body coat with a black or black spotted head.... |
--- | --- | Pakistan | Meat, wool |
| Weißes Bergschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Weißköpfiges Fleischschaf | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Welsh Hill Speckled Face | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Welsh Mountain sheep |  |
--- | Wales | Meat |
| Badger Face Welsh Mountain Badger Face Welsh Mountain (sheep) The Badger Face Welsh Mountain is a distinct variety of the Welsh Mountain breed of domestic sheep. It is a hardy upland breed known for producing a high percentage of twins and triplets under good conditions... Welsh Mountain subtype |
Badger Faced Welsh Mountain, Welsh Badger-faced | Wales | Meat | |
| Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep | --- | Wales | Meat | |
| Black Welsh Mountain sheep Black Welsh Mountain sheep The Black Welsh Mountain sheep is a colour type of the Welsh Mountain sheep. It occurs occasionally in flocks of other colours, but is now often maintained as a separate strain. Like other Welsh Mountain sheep it is found mainly on the hills in Wales, but is also kept elsewhere.Introduced into... |
 |
--- | Wales | Meat |
| South Wales Mountain | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wensleydale Wensleydale (sheep) The Wensleydale is a breed of domestic sheep that originated in the Wensleydale region of North Yorkshire Possessing a blue–grey face, the breed was developed in the 19th century by crossing English Leicester and Teeswater sheep. One of the largest and heaviest of all sheep breeds, the... |
--- | England | Meat | |
| West African Dwarf West African Dwarf (sheep) West African Dwarf is a domesticated breed of sheep and is the dominant breed from southwest to central Africa. This breed is primarily raised for meat.-Characteristics:... |
--- | Djallonke, Fouta Djallon sheep | West Africa West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:... and Central Africa Central Africa Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda.... |
Meat |
| White Horned Heath | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| White Karaman | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| White Suffolk White Suffolk (sheep) White Suffolk is an Australian breed of meat sheep developed for Australian conditions. Work commenced on a breeding program in the mid-1970s with experimentation conducted by Professor E. Roberts . His aim was to produce a breed with the conformation, structure and growth of the Suffolk but with a... |
--- | --- | Australia | Meat |
| Whiteface Dartmoor Whiteface Dartmoor The Whiteface Dartmoor is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the Dartmoor region of the United Kingdom. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust has designated this breed as "at risk".-Characteristics:... |
--- | --- | United Kingdom | Meat |
| Whitefaced Woodland Whitefaced Woodland The Whitefaced Woodland is a sheep breed from the South Pennines in England, also known as the Penistone sheep after the Yorkshire town where sheep sales have been held since 1699. It is thought to be closely related to the Swaledale and the Lonk... |
Penistone sheep | England | Meat | |
| Wiltipoll Wiltipoll The Wiltipoll is a breed of polled domestic sheep that was developed in Australia from Wiltshire Horn sheep with the infusion of Border Leicester, Perendale, Poll Dorset and Poll Merino genetics, that are raised for meat.-History:... |
--- | Australia | Meat | |
| Wiltshire Horn Wiltshire Horn The Wiltshire Horn is a breed of domestic sheep originally from Wiltshire in southern England raised for meat. The breed is unusual amongst native British breeds, for it has the unusual feature of moulting its short wool and hair coat naturally in spring, alleviating the need for shearing. They... |
--- | United Kingdom | Meat |
X
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xalda | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Xaxi Ardia | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Xinjiang Finewool | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Y
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankasa | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Yemeni | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Yemen White | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Yiecheng | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Yoroo | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Yunnan Semifinewool | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Z
| Name | Picture | Alternate Name | Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zackel | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zaghawa | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zaian | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zaïre Long-Legged | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zakynthos | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zeeland Milk | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zel | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zelazna Zelazna (sheep) Zelazna is a breed of sheep and is also known by Zeleznienska. The Zelazna was developed at Warsaw Agricultural University. They belong to the Polish Lowland group and are found throughout Poland. They were developed from Polish Merino crossed with Leicester Longwool and Lowicz.... |
--- | Zeleznienska | Poland | Meat |
| Zemmour | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zeta Yellow | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zlatusha | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zoulay | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zwartbles Zwartbles The Zwartbles is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the Friesland region of the north Netherlands. There it was primarily used for the production of sheep milk as well as lamb and mutton... |
 |
--- | Netherlands | Meat, milk |
External links
- Breeds of Livestock - Sheep Breeds Department of Animal Science - Oklahoma State University
- Domestic Animal Diversity Information System
- Sheep101
- Heritage Sheep Breeds