SHEEP and GOAT BREEDS

Cheviot

• Hardy constitution.

• Primarily a meat sheep

• White faced, wool free head and legs.

• Pricked ears, black nose and black hooves..

• Long-wool breed, preferred by mills because of its fineness, crimp and length.

• Rams: 160 – 200 lbs.

• Ewes: 120 – 160 lbs.

Columbia

• One of the first breeds developed in US; a product of USDA and university research.

• Larger breed with heavy, white fleece.

• Moderately long ears; poll is covered with fleece; legs are covered with fleece.

• Wool is classified as medium wool.

• Often used for cross-breeding.

• Rams: 275 - 350 lbs

• Ewes: 150 - 250 lbs.

Dorset

• Thought to have originated in Southwest England.

• Both polled and horned.

•  Very popular, number one white faced breed in US.

• All white sheep, medium sized.

• Important attribute is its extended breeding season; can be bred both in fall and spring.

•  Rams: 225 – 275 lbs.

• Ewes: 150 – 200 lbs.

Finnsheep

• First imported to North America in 1966.

• Also used as a meat sheep; lean meat with light delicate flavor.

• Most of these in US are pure white; also available in solid black and spotted; less common are gray, brown and fawn.

• Fleece is lightweight, and blends easily with other fibers.

• Rams: 170 – 240 lbs.

• Ewes: 130 – 180 lbs

Hampshire

• Known for their rapid growth and efficient feed conversion.

• Large, open-faced, active sheep.

• Ears are moderated in size and covered with coarse dark brown or black hair.

• Face is free of wool from the eyes down.

• Meat has good ratio of fat and lean and is fine flavored.

• Both sexes are polled.

• Rams: 275-350 lbs.

• Ewes: 200 – 250 lbs.

Shropshire

• Rising in popularity as a show sheep, especially in the Midwest.

• Head is short, but broad between the ears and eyes.

• White dense wool covers the whole poll, cheeks and jaw.

• Face and ears are dark brown or soft black.

• Legs are short and covered with wool.

• Rams: 225 – 250 lbs.

• Ewes: 150 – 180 lbs

Southdown

• Developed in Sussex, England.

• Medium to small-sized sheep.

• Docile and easy to manage.

• Excel in a cross-breeding program because of their ability to produce meaty carcasses.

• Head is carried high and has a moderate amount of wool about the face and eyes; tip of the nostril should be dark.

• Rams: 190 – 230 lbs.

• Ewes: 130 – 180 lbs.

Suffolk

• Originally developed in England.

• Large breed of black-faced, domestic sheep raised mainly for meat.

• Head is black from poll forward.

• Legs are black, hooves are black.

• Ears are long, black, bell- shaped and pointing downward.

• “Spider Lamb Syndrome” most common in Suffolk breed.

• Rams: 250 – 350 lbs.

• Ewes: 180 – 350 lbs.

Angora

• The most valuable characteristic of the ____ is the value of the mohair that is clipped.

• Is a small, very picturesque animal.

• More susceptible to damage from internal parasites than sheep.

• Bucks: 180 – 225 lbs.

• Does: 70 – 110 lbs

French Alpine

• Known for its very good milking ability; Are one of the top goat milk producers.

• Colors can range from white or gray to brown and black.

• They have erect ears and a straight profile

• Are friendly and curious, but they can be independent and strong- willed.

•  Bucks: 170 lbs

• Does: 135 lbs

Boer

• Typically have white bodies and distinctive brown heads.

• Some can be completely brown or white or have large spots of a different color.

• Ears are long and pendulous.

• Head is small with a “Roman” nose.

• Are docile and fast growing with high fertility rates.

La Mancha

• Only breed of goat developed in the US.

• Easily recognized by their very short ear pinnae.

• Also known for high milk production and high butterfat content of their milk.

• La Mancha goats may be any color known to occur in goats.

• Two types of ears: Gopher Ear and Elf Ear

Nubian

• Have a high butterfat content of their milk, however, the breed produces less milk than other dairy breeds

• is large in size and carries more flesh than other dairy breeds.

• Have large, pendulous ears that extend beyond the muzzle, and a “Roman” nose.

• Colors and markings can be any color.

• Are sociable and vocal.

• Bucks: 175 lbs.

• Does: 135 lbs.

Pygmy

• A breed of miniature domestic goat, developed from the West African dwarf goat.

• Primarily kept as pets, they are active and friendly and enjoy having items to jump on.

• They are small and compact.

• Colors and coat patterns can vary significantly and can be categorized into caramel patterned, agouti patterned and black patterned.

• Bucks: 60 – 85 lbs.

• Does: 50 – 75 lbs.

Saanen

• Originated in the _____ Valley in Switzerland.

• Brought to US in 1900’s.

• Most popular dairy goat breed due to their high productivity and ease of management.

• Largest in size of the dairy goat breeds.

• Largest milk producers of dairy goat breeds.

• Profile of head is straight or slightly dished, with erect, forward-pointing ears.

• Colors are generally white or cream colored, with short, fine coats.

• Buck: 160 lbs

• Does: 135 lbs

Toggenburg

• Considered the oldest breed that was registered.

• Larger in size, high milk production, low butterfat content.

• Color is solid, varying from light fawn to dark chocolate, with very distinct white markings.

• The ears are erect and carried forward.

• Toggenburgs have wattles which are located on each side of the neck.

TPR - Sheep

101-104

55-115 bmp

10-30 breathes/min

TPR - Goats

101.5 - 104.5

70-120 bpm

10-30 breathes/min