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University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

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Breeds of Livestock
Sheep Breeds

  • Originated in England
  • Characteristics
    • Dark brown face and legs
    • Usually polled
  • Broadtail
    Clun Forest
    • Originated in England
    • Characteristics
      • Dark brown face and legs
      • Usually polled

    Coopworth

    Originated in New Zealand
    Characteristics
    Dual purpose breed
    Milk Yields are usually high

    Cormo

    • Originated in Australia
    • Characteristics
      • Dual purpose breed but wool is the main reason for production
      • Lambs are culled if they do not meet the set standards
    Debouillet

    • Originated in the United States

    • Characteristics
      • Legs and face have white hair
      • Wool production is its main use
    Dorset Down
    Originated in England
    Characteristics
    Dark Brown Face and legs
    Usually polled
    Drysdale
    • Originated in New Zealand
    • Characteristics
      • Dual purpose breed
      • Their wool is not crimped
    Fat-tailed China
    Karakul
    • Originated in Central Asia
    • Characteristics
      • Lambs are born coal black but it becomes more of a grayish brown as it gets older
      • Very hardy breed and thrives under adverse conditions
      • The tail is a source of nourishment in hard times like a camel's hump
    Kelantan
    Lakiz
    Mouflan
    • Originated in Europe
    • Characteristics
      • Dark brown in color with a dark back-stripe
      • Thought to be one of the original ancestors to modern sheep breeds
      • Males are horned and females can be horned or polled

    Navajo
    • Originated in the United States
    • Characteristics
      • Has coarse wool
      • Can be polled or horned
    Panamas
    • Originated in the United States
    • Characteristics
      • Used for meat
      • Has medium wool
      • Usually polled
    Perendale
    Persian
    Scottish Blackface
    • Originated in Scotland and England
    • Characteristics
      • Black or pied face
      • Has medium wool
      • Usually horned
    Texas Bighorn

    Tunis

    Originated in United States
    Characteristics

    Has Creamy wool
    Face and legs are copper-red colored
    Used for meat

    Wiltshire