Wild animals

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds

 
Giulia Graziati
By Giulia Graziati, Writer. January 8, 2025
Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds

Sheep are animals of the genus Ovis, a genus which is most noted for the different domestic sheep types. Due to the long period of domestication, domestic sheep have been generated into numerous breeds. There are also wild sheep in this genus, but they have not been domesticated and do not have breeds. All sheep are ruminant animals and they are noted for their fur, something which has been used in the human textile industry for millennia. They have been very important for our own development, but different breeds have different characteristic for different purposes.

We learn more at thedailyECO by sharing 15 different kinds of sheep breeds. These domestic sheep include the Merino, Suffolk, Dorper, Texel, Romney, among many others.

You may also be interested in: Are There Different Kinds of Seagulls?
Contents
  1. Merino sheep
  2. Suffolk sheep
  3. Dorper sheep
  4. Texel sheep
  5. Romney sheep
  6. Cheviot sheep
  7. Jacob sheep
  8. Shetland sheep
  9. Karakul sheep
  10. Awassi sheep
  11. Fries Melkschaap sheep
  12. Lacaune sheep
  13. Scottish Blackface sheep
  14. Dorset Horn sheep
  15. Navajo-Churro sheep
See more >>

Merino sheep

Originally from Spain, the Merino sheep is known worldwide for producing one of the finest, longest and most highly prized wools in the textile industry. More than for economic reasons, it is highly prized around the world. This is because it is able to adapt to nearly all environments, thriving in various conditions.

Spain originally wanted to keep a monopoly on the breed and even made its exportation illegal. These restrictions were eventually eased and variants of Merino sheep breeds were spread across the world, leading to many different variants. In this way, we can say Merino refers to a few breeds rather than one homogenous breed. These include the Grazalema Merino and the Montes Universales Merino.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Merino sheep

Suffolk sheep

Originating in the United Kingdom, this kind of sheep breed is a crossing of Southdown males with Norfolk Horned females. The Suffolk sheep is easily identifiable by its black head and legs. It is valued primarily for its high-quality meat, wool and rapid growth. This is the breed which is likely the inspiration for Aardman Animation's Shaun the Sheep due to this black head and leg combination.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Suffolk sheep

Dorper sheep

The Dorper sheep is a hardy breed from South Africa adapted to the arid regions of that country. It is distinguished by its black or white head (the latter known as a White Dorper), as well as its ability to produce excellent quality lean meat. It also has high rates of fertility, growth and resistance. The photo below shows a Dorper sheep with a black head.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Dorper sheep

Texel sheep

Originally from the island of Texel in the Netherlands, this breed is known for its muscularity and the quality of its meat. It has been widely exported to other countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and other European countries. Its wool is appreciated for its clean whiteness and density. This makes it easy to dye, making it one of the best wools to create yarn.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Texel sheep

Romney sheep

Originating in England, specifically from the Sun and Green region. The Romney sheep is a dual-purpose breed, producing both good quality wool and tasty meat. It is particularly resistant to wet and cold climates. It has a robust body and strong, short legs.

Learn more about sheep in general with our article asking what are ruminant animals?

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Romney sheep

Cheviot sheep

This type of sheep is native to the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland. It is renowned for its hardiness and adaptability to mountainous terrain. It produces a soft, white wool. Its ears are short and erect. Its head and limbs have fur, but no wool like the rest of the body.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Cheviot sheep

Jacob sheep

This kind of sheep breed is known for its multiple horns in both sexes (usually four in total), as well as its black and white spotted coat. The Jacob sheep has Scandinavian origins and is valued for both its wool and its meat. They are robust animals, with a high resistance to parasites and various diseases. They must be fed with good quality fodder and protected during periods of rain.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Jacob sheep

Shetland sheep

Originating from the Shetland Islands of Scotland, this small sheep breed produces a fine, soft wool which is ideal for delicate fabrics. It is appreciated for its wide range of colors, which vary from grey and brown to black and white. This breed was once in danger of extinction in the 1970s. Thanks to the efforts of small livestock farms, it is now out of danger.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Shetland sheep

Karakul sheep

The Karakul or Qaraqul is one of the oldest sheep breeds in the world, originating in Central Asia. It is known for its coarse-textured wool and for the production of lambskins used in making coats and hats. It is also valued for its meat.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Karakul sheep

Awassi sheep

Originating in Syria and Mesopotamia, the Awassi is a breed known for its high production of milk. This milk is rich in fat, making it ideal for producing traditional cheeses. As for its appearance, it is of medium height and robust body that usually has brown or reddish spots. Unlike other breeds, its ears are long and wide. It is also known as the Baladi, Gezirieh, Arab or Ivesi sheep, among others.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Awassi sheep

Fries Melkschaap sheep

This is a kind of sheep breed from Germany, also known as the East Friesian or German Milksheep. The latter name is because it milk is used for the production of high-quality cheeses and yoghurts. It is also used for crossbreeding with other breeds to improve milk production in non-dairy sheep. One of the most distinctive features of the East Friesian is its tail which is thin and lacks wool.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Fries Melkschaap sheep

Lacaune sheep

Of French origin, the Lacaune sheep is a producer of milk and meat. It is one of the most important sheep breeds in France and the famous Roquefort cheese is obtained from its milk. It also has a good adaptability to the Spanish climate and production systems. It is a medium to large animal, with a fine head and subconvex profile. Its fleece is relatively thing compared to other types of domestic sheep, so its wool is not usually harvested.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Lacaune sheep

Scottish Blackface sheep

Originally from Scotland and England, this domestic sheep breed is easily recognizable by its black face and short limbs, as well as its spiral-shaped horns. It is hardy and adapts well to mountainous terrain, being valued for both its meat and wool.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Scottish Blackface sheep

Dorset Horn sheep

The origin of this breed lies in the southwest of England, being known for its reproductive capacity at any time of the year. It produces high quality meat and a dense, white wool. It is able to adapt to cold, temperate and sub-humid climates. It is distinguished by its prominent and symmetrical spiral-shaped horns, as well as by its compact and muscular body.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Dorset Horn sheep

Navajo-Churro sheep

Introduced to America by Spanish colonizers, this breed originated in the United States. It has been appreciated by native peoples for its long and resistant wool, ideal for making traditional textiles. The Navajo peoples were particularly fond of this material, hence the breed's common name. They are small animals with a long tail and horns.

Now that you know some of the many kinds of sheep breeds, you may be interested in these articles on the different types of moose and the different types of seals.

Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds - Navajo-Churro sheep

If you want to read similar articles to Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds, we recommend you visit our Wild animals category.

Bibliography
  • Sheep Manual. Ministry of Agroindustry. Presidency of the Nation. https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/manual_de_ovinos_3er_ano.pdf
  • Sheep breeds and their characteristics. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. https://www7.uc.cl/sw_educ/prodanim/mamif/siii2.htm
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Different Kinds of Sheep Breeds