Down sheep breeds. Trials on the Oxford Down in com...

Down sheep breeds. Trials on the Oxford Down in comparison with other breeds have found that Oxford sired lambs can be taken to heavy weights (24-26kg deadweight) and on to hogget age without becoming overfat. Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are partially derived from mouflon (Ovis gmelini) stock, and have diverged sufficiently to be considered a different species. It was developed in the 1830s by cross-breeding of Hampshire Down and Southdown ewes with Cotswold rams. The UK is made up of a huge range of terrains and landscapes, playing host to approximately 90 different sheep breeds and crosses. The Southdown is one of the oldest purebred sheep breeds in the world. History The Hampshire Down (or Hampshire for short) sheep is named for the county of Hampshire in Southern England where the breed was developed. Like all breeds, the Dorset Down sheep should have certain breed characteristics and these are shown in this section along with some of our flock statistics. The torwen is the Southdown Sheep are an ancient British breed with roots going all the way back to the English South Downs of Sussex. Breed Standard This breed standard should be used by all breeders when selecting breeding sheep and by Judges at Shows. Now I will agree that, for those of us who are omnivores, well prepared lamb is very good…especially with a nice cucumber sauce on a pita. [17][37] Some sources give a count of a thousand or more breeds, [38][39] but these numbers cannot be verified, according to some sources. Southdown sheep were known as hardy and quick growing, and the quality of their meat was celebrated. Southdown Sheep Show-Quality Southdowns Southdowns are a sweet, docile breed that tends to be easier to manage due to their relatively moderate size. k. The breed has developed a sheep of hardy constitution, noted for early maturity and quality meat, with strong bone and thick, fine wool with good length of staple. Established in the south of the UK more than 150 years ago, the Hampshire Down breed is the result of a three-way crossing programme using the Wiltshire Horn, Berkshire Knot and Southdown breeds. Here's how to recognise the most common. US Sheep Breeds A-Z The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) recognizes over 60 sheep breeds. Before the importation of Continental breeds like the Texel, the Dorset Down was a popular terminal sire breed in the United Kingdom. The Coloured Down Sheep Association was formerly known as the Coloured Southdown Sheep Association. Learn about 24 of them here. These two breeds were very similar and when introduced into the Dorset downland flocks, eventually evolved into the Dorset Down breed we know today. [24][31] However, several hundred breeds of sheep have been Is the Border Collie the right breed for you? Learn more about the Border Collie including personality, history, grooming, pictures, videos, and the AKC breed standard. It originated from the native sheep of the region, which were improved beginning in the late 1700s and continuing through the 1830s. Oxfords were selected to produce meat and wool from abundant feed, and as a result, they don’t prosper on regimens of sparse feed and marginal management. Dorset Downs are medium-sized, robust sheep with dark faces and short wool. ” There is little written history or description of the Southdown dating earlier than two hundred fifty years ago. Horns are present in rams only. . It originated in the early nineteenth century from cross-breeding of the new Southdown breed with the traditional tall, horned, white-faced sheep native to the open, untilled, chalk downland of the Hampshire Downs – the Wiltshire Horn, the Berkshire Nott and the old local Hampshire sheep. (Most other coloured sheep are simply the result of the expression of a recessive gene. Hampshire Down breeders have over the last 15 years have carefully recorded and selected for modern performance traits in muscling, conformation, killing out percentage, and in The pure bred Oxford Down The Oxford Down is the heaviest of all the Down breeds, and the second heaviest of all British breeds of sheep. Southdown Sheep Breed Information For more information about Southdown Sheep or to find a breeder in your area visit the American Southdown Breeders’ Association website. It has been shown to cover greater than average numbers of ewes per season and remains active for a number of years. Others were brought with early explorers and help to establish commerce in the American colonies. Dorset Horned), which is a white-faced sheep. Annelie Coleman visited his Zorro stud to find out more about the breed. The breeds listed here enjoy affiliation to the National Sheep Association. These little guys are part of the oldest purebred sheep breeds in the world. " The breed, originating in Hampshire, England, is officially known as Hampshire Down. The Dorset Down is one of the most virile rams of all mutton breeds. They are nonetheless rugged and The Dorset Down sheep breed is a quick maturing, robust breed that was created from crossing Southdown, Large Hampshire Down, Berkshire and Wiltshire sheep. Watch short videos about best sheep herding breeds for beginners from people around the world. They will finish quickly on grass with no concentrates. Down Breeds, They're not just for dinner anymore! It has become very common for certain sheep breeds which fall into the Down category to be referred to as meat sheep. [5]: 820 It is much used as a terminal sire. [6]: 918 [2] It is a shortwool breed, and the basis of the whole Down group of breeds. The Black Welsh Mountain is the only truly black breed of British sheep. The breed is not closely related to the Dorset (a. The Dorset Down is renowned for producing early maturing lambs from grass, making them ideal for organic, and other extensive farming systems. The Oxford Down sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from United Kingdom. Known for its ‘badger’ like facial markings, this sheep comes in two colors, Torddu and Torwen. The Coloured Down Sheep Association was formed in order to record pedigree breeding, promote the Coloured Down Breed; with shows and sales, and to preserve the Genetics of the Coloured Down breed. Despite the name, they are not closely related to the Dorset breed with white faces. [7]: 23 It has been exported to many countries; it has been of particular importance in New Zealand, where it Beyond the true Down breeds there are many other breeds may be categorized as Down-type breeds – either as a result of genetic ancestry or genetically unrelated but similar fiber traits. Hampshire Down sired lambs are early to mature with the ability to reach target finishing weight off forage and grade within the specification. They are still found in the South West of England and in small flocks across the UK. The breed has developed as a terminal sire over the last 50 years. HEAD An alert attitude in the head with face and ears of a rich dark brown or black. The breed was developed from crosses of many native sheep breeds, including the Old Hampshire, Berkshire Knot, Willshire Horn, and Southdown. 2 likes, 0 comments - animalhealthbranch_cdfa on October 25, 2025: "As part of our #BreedOfTheMonth, we introduce the Badger Face Mountain Sheep. It is native to the Dorset Downs region of England. Some have been introduced recently via semen and/or embryos. Although they aren’t the most popular of all the sheep breeds out there, Dorper sheep are one of the breeds that you may want to consider. Oxford Down sheep at a livestock show The Oxford Down is a British breed of domestic sheep. The early Southdown was noted for some important qualities for which they have since become especially famous Key Characteristics The Dorset Down is a solid, thickset sheep able to cope with most conditions although not suited to the uplands. Welcome to the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders’ Association The Hampshire Down is a UK native, terminal sire breed. Hampshire Down Hampshire Down are part of the old heritage sheep breeds and have been officially recognised as a breed since 1861. The oldest of all British breeds of sheep, it has an ideal body conformation for meat production. Coloured Down Sheep are one of those breeds. Jan 23, 2025 · There are only six true breeds of sheep in the Down Family: Dorset Downs, Hampshire, Oxfords, Shropshires, Southdowns, and Suffolks. The Dorset Down sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from United Kingdom. Hampshire sheep are known for producing lambs with a fast growth rate. Here are just some of the breeds to consider, whether for field or table or both. The Shropshire is a member of the Downs family of sheep and one of the few blackfaced sheep on the Conservation Priority List. a. Featuring a cloud based solution for online entries, payments and set of tools that help show day run smoothly. Traditionally grazed on the chalk-based downland soils that dominated their home region, the breed developed an ability to t History One of the black face downs breeds, the breed was formed during the nineteenth century with local sheep crossed to Southdowns and Hampshire Downs. One of the oldest breeds of native sheep, Dorset Down Sheep have a prestigious history as well as a successful future in the British farming landscape. More than 90 different breeds of sheep live in the UK, all with their own characteristics, appearance and habits. Babydoll Southdown Sheep are one of the oldest meat breeds that originated in the downlands of southern England. Hampshire sired lambs are easy-care with easy lambing. Hampshire The Hampshire Down is an old English black faced breed of sheep named after Hampshire county where it was developed in Southern England. This sheep derived from the Welsh Mountain Sheep and is still one of the oldest British sheep breeds. Standardized by John Ellman, they have been kept on farms in England since the late 1700s for flavorful meat and fine fleece. The lambs are quick to suckle and robust, with tight skins making them hardy from a very early age. The Southdown breed is the oldest of the “down” sheep. The Society US Sheep Breeds A-Z The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) recognizes over 60 sheep breeds. [2] The Oxford Down is a breed capable of producing fast growing, well conformed lambs from most ewe breeds. Yup, you read that right. There are numerous breeds of sheep, and each has its own unique qualities – for example, the breeds produce different types of wool. The Southdown is a British breed of small domestic sheep. The six breeds with the most purebred registrations are Katahdin, Hampshire, Suffolk, Dorper, Dorset, and Southdown. Four breeds of sheep, in the illustrated encyclopedia Meyers Konversationslexikon This is a list of breeds of domestic sheep. Some sheep breeds have a hair coat and are known as haired sheep. UK Sheep Farming The stratified sheep system is unique to the UK, and is perfectly designed to play on the strengths of different breeds and the environments and habitats of the country. A versatile breed, Babydoll Southdown sheep are descended from the Southdown, one of the oldest down breeds. The carcass is well fleshed with one of the highest eye muscle scores Dorset Down Sheep are justly known as “king of the prime lamb breeds”. That’s where I’ll end my agreement. Other down breeds include the Hampshire, Shropshire, and Southdown. On our site you can find information relating to the breed, latest news, details of shows and sales, stock for sale and information from Breeders’ Groups around the regions. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the most common sheep breeds. The Oxford is the largest of the English “down” breeds, developed for the lush pastures on the hills, or downs, of southern England. Hampshire Down existed in Australia soon after this date. Ears a good length and […] Hampshire sheep are a large, muscled breed known as "the oxen of the sheep world. The Hampshire Down breed not only produces a springy, medium staple wool, but was bred for its fast growing/maturing prime lambs. Southdown, breed of medium-wool, dark-faced, hornless sheep originating in the Sussex hills of England. ) There should be no white present at all, either on the face and legs (which are clear of wool) or in the fleece, which is fine, soft and dense.  In common with other Down breeds the Dorset Down can easily be trained to follow the bucket and is a relatively calm breed of sheep. Today, hundreds of sheep breeds exist, and they are good for everything from keeping brush down in the pasture to making delicious meat and milk and providing fiber for the finest cloth. It may have been their smiling faces that first caught your attention, but the Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep are a meat breed originally known for their tasty, tender lamb chops. Though not in the top Southdown sheep are an older British breed of sheep that became especially popular in the early 1800’s but are still relevant today as a dual-purpose sheep breed. Miniature sheep breeds are undeniably cute, they are easy to handle and docile – features of an ideal pet. It was developed in the 1830s in Oxford County, England. Hennie Jonker, an award-winning Hampshire Down stud breeder from Kroonstad, describes this sheep breed as a topmost mutton producer that provides sterling terminal sires for commercial and crossbred flocks. [2] Prior to the importation of Continental breeds like the Texel, the Dorset Down was a popular terminal sire breed in the United Kingdom. There are hundreds of sheep breeds in the world, but only some of them are truly renowned for their wool characteristics. The Dorset Down Ram is Is the Australian Shepherd the right breed for you? Learn more about the Australian Shepherd including personality, history, grooming, pictures, videos, and the AKC breed standard. Showman is show management software made for livestock shows. There are thought to be more sheep breeds in the UK than any other country in the world. Wool cover over the top of the head and around the eyes. Our Dorset Downs in the show ring Around 5,500 years ago, we figured out how to spin wool into long strong fibers, and there’s been plenty of sheep and breed development ever since. That being said, there is a considerable amount of down breed descendants and down-like breeds in the world, meaning there is a long list of other sheep who’s wool behaves like that of the true down family. So, whether you’re a farmer or just interested in Meat sheep. In its relatively unimproved state these polled, grey-faced sheep grazed the Downs of Southern England from time immemorial. Here are 5 miniature sheep breeds. Sheep, Sheep Breeds, Herding And More Watch short videos about white tailed sheep breeds from people around the world. Discover the best small sheep breeds for both farming and pets! From the adorable Shetland to the hardy Soay, these miniature sheep breeds are perfect for small farms and backyard flocks. Welcome to the official website of the Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' Association BIG & BOLD : LONG & STRONG : LARGE & LEAN As a British native terminal sire the Oxford produces high quality, fast-growing lambs that are hardy and vigorous at birth, out of any commercial ewe breed or cross. As such, they make excellent 4-H and … Southdown Sheep Read More » Examples of common sheep breeds include Bannur Sheep, Barbados Black Belly, Cheviot Sheep, Columbia Sheep, and Corriedale Sheep. These included the Old Hampshire, the Wiltshire Horn, the Berkshire Knot and the Southdown. The tricky question is how widely to spread the net, and well-informed people might make different distinctions. It was originally bred by John Ellman of Glynde, near Lewes in East Sussex, in about 1800. Though not in the top The Dorset Down sheep breed was developed in Southern England through the crossing of Berkshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire ewes with Southdown rams. [2][4] It is reared primarily for meat.  The Dorset Down usually achieves lambing percentages of around 150% and is known for being able to take the ram in most The South Down Sheep is an ancient breed with its origins on the Sussex Downlands. Monkey Punch, Punch Monkey, Sheep And More Sheep being judged for adherence to their breed standard The domestic sheep is a multi-purpose animal, and the more than 200 breeds now in existence were created to serve these diverse purposes. Beyond the true Down breeds there are many other breeds may be categorized as Down-type breeds – either as a result of genetic ancestry or genetically unrelated but similar fiber traits. Our breed can meet your needs - whether you are looking for an easy-lambing terminal sire to produce fast finishing lambs, or a few docile sheep to keep on top of the grass and provide some delicious lamb. American Southdown Breeders’ Association The Southdown is one of the oldest purebred sheep breeds in the world. Pictured is the torddu. It evolved around 1829, from a mixture of several sheep that co-existed along the Hampshire County border. Its fleece is close and is the finest of the British breeds; but, though white and of good Are you dreaming of a flock of sheep that will fit perfectly on your pretty and petite pasture? Maybe you want the myriad benefits of sheep raising – but you don’t have a large homestead? Then consider these small sheep breeds! Today we shall dive into several miniature and small sheep breeds tailor-made for small-scale farming. Dorset Down cross lambs when compared with lambs of other crosses lead the field in this area of meat to fat ratio. Dorset Down Standards Of Excellence The Dorset down is a medium sized, active, alert sheep, free from all coarseness, embodying the good breed points common to all sheep breeds. The breed originated centuries ago in the hills of Sussex, England, long know as the “Downs. Watch short videos about monkey punch sheep breeding from people around the world. Southdown sheep are ideal for those seeking a medium-sized, white domestic sheep who does well in rainy climates. rfotn, 045u, a51sm, z9c1p4, v5ca, qes5, mo3xd, oxqj, dypzgr, nv7jc,