Sheep breeds + terminology

process of giving birth

lambing

newborn

lamb

immature female

ewe lamb or eweling

immature male 

ram lamb

mature female

ewe

mature(intact) male

ram

castrated male

wether

medium wool sheep breed

1. Dorset

2. Suffolk

3. Cheviot

4. Southdown

fine wool sheep breed

1. merino

2. rambouillet

Dorset

Dorset origin?

England

Dorset color?

white face w/ wool down legs

Dorset horns?

horned and polled

Dorset traits?

medium wool

Suffolk

Suffolk origin?

England

Suffolk color?

black face and legs, white fleece

Suffolk horns?

polled

Suffolk traits?

1. medium wool

2. excellent terminal sires for producing market lambs

3. purebreds= several potential inherited diseases like Scrapie

Cheviot

Cheviot origin?

Scotland and England

Cheviot color?

White, bare face, white legs

Cheviot horns?

polled

Cheviot traits?

1. upright ears

2. medium, short wool

3. adapt well to rugged grazing areas

Southdown

Southdown origin?

England

Southdown color?

gray to light brown face and legs

Southdown horns?

polled

Southdown traits?

1. medium wool

2. wool extends down legs and over face

Merino

Merino origin?

Spain

Merino color?

white face, skin folds

Merino horns?

1. rams= horned

2. ewes= polled

Merino traits?

1. high quality

2. fine wool

3. breed year-round

Rambouillet

Rambouillet origin?

France

Rambouillet color?

white

Rambouillet horns?

horned

Rambouillet traits?

1. high quality

2. fine wool

3. largest of the fine wool breeds

4. adapts to severe conditions 

5. extended breeding season