List of sheep breeds explained

This is a list of breeds of domestic sheep. Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are partially derived from mouflon (Ovis gmelini) stock, and have diverged sufficiently to be considered a different species.

Domestic sheep breeds

Sorted alphabetically.

A

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
AcıpayamTurkeyMeat, wool
AdalEthiopiaMeat
Afghan Arabi[1] AfghanistanMeat
AfricanaCamura, Colombian Wooless, Pelona, Red African, Rojo Africana, West AfricanColombiaMeat, woolly items
AfrikanerCape fattest tailSouth AfricaMeat, pelts honed
AfrinoSouth AfricaMeat, wool, crossbreeding
AlaiKyrgyzstanMeat, wool
AlcarreñaSpainMeat
Algarve ChurroPortugalMeat
Algerian sheepOuled Jellal, Western Thin-tailedAlgeriaMeat
Alpines SteinschafGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation management
AltayChinaMeat
American BlackbellyUnited StatesTrophy hunting
AnconOtter sheepUnited States
AppenninicaAppenninica, Bariscianese, Chietina Varzese, Perugina del pianoItalyMeat
ArabiIran, IraqMeat
ArapawaNew ZealandWool
Arkhar-MerinoKazakhstanWool
Armenian SemicoarsewoolArmyanskaya PolugrubosherstnayaArmeniaMeat, milk
AskanianAskaniyskyUkraineWool
AssafIsraelMeat, milk
AussiedownAustraliaMeat
Australian WhiteAustraliaMeat
AwassiIvesi, Baladi, Deiri, Syrian, Ausi, Nuami, GeziriehSouth Eastern Anatolia, Syro-Arabian desertMilk

B

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
BalkhiAfghanistan, North-west PakistanMeat
BaluchiBaluchi dumda, Mengali, Taraki, Shinwari, Araghi, Farahani, Kermani, Khorasani, Khurasani, Naeini, Neini, YazdiPakistan, Iran, AfghanistanWool
Barbados Blackbelly sheepBarbados Black Belly, Black Belly, Barbados Barriga NigraBarbadosMeat
BardokaKosovoMilk, meat, wool and research
Basco-BéarnaisSpain, FranceMilk
BeltexBelgium, The NetherlandsMeat
Bentheimer LandschafBentheim sheepGermanyLandscape preservation
BergamascaItalyMeat
Berichon du CherFrance
Beulah Speckled FaceUnited KingdomMeat
BibrikPakistan
Razza d'Ivrea, Piemontese AlpinaItalyMeat, milk
FranceMeat
Blackhead PersianSwartkoppersieSomaliaMeat
Bleu du MaineBazougers, Blauköpfiges Fleischschaf, Bluefaced Maine, Blue-headed Maine, Maine-Anjou, Maine à tête bleue, Mayenne BlueFranceMeat, Wool
Bluefaced LeicesterUnited KingdomMeat
Blue TexelNetherlandsMeat
BondAustraliaWool
Border LeicesterUnited KingdomMeat, wool
Boreray sheepScotlandMeat, wool
Bovec sheepBovška Ovca, Plezzana, Trentarka, Krainer SteinschafItalyMeat, milk
Braunes BergschafBrown Mountain sheepGermanyMeat, vegetation management
Brazilian SomaliBerbera BlackheadSomaliaMeat
BrianzolaItalyMeat
British MilksheepUnited KingdomMilk
Bündner OberlandGraubünden, GrisonsSwitzerlandVegetation management

C

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
California RedUnited StatesMeat, wool
California Variegated MutantCVM, Romeldale/CVMUnited StatesWool
CambridgeUnited Kingdommeat
CameroonWest AfricaMeat
Campanian BarbaryItalyMeat, milk
Canadian ArcottCanadaMeat
CărăbaşăBlack-headed Teleorman TigaieRomania
Castlemilk MooritCastlemilk Shetland, Moorit ShetlandScotlandHobby
CharmoiseFranceMeat
CharollaisFranceMeat
CheviotScotlandMeat, wool
Border Cheviot[2] South Country CheviotUnited KingdomMeat
Brecknock Hill CheviotBrecon Cheviot, Sennybridge CheviotWalesMeat
North Country CheviotScotlandMeat
ChiosIsland of ChiosMilk
CholistaniPakistanMeat
ChurraSpanish ChurroSpainMeat, milk
CigajaCroatiaWool, milk
CiktaHungaryMeat
Çine ÇaparıTurkey
Clun ForestEnglandMeat, milk, wool
Coburger FuchsschafCoburg Fox SheepGermanyVegetation management
ColumbiaUnited StatesWool
ComebackAustraliaMeat, wool
ComisanaLentinese, Red Head, Testa rossa, Faccia rossaItalyMilk
CoolaleeAustraliaMeat
CoopworthNew ZealandMeat, wool
CormoAustralia and New ZealandWool
CorriedaleNew ZealandMeat, wool
CotswoldUnited KingdomMeat, wool
CriolloCreole, Chilludo, Colombian, Lucero, Pampa, Tarhumara, Uruguayan, VenezuelanCentral AmericaMeat

D

Name PictureAlternative nameOrigin Purpose
Dala Fur sheepDala pälsfårSweden
DalesbredUnited KingdomMeat, wool
DagliçTurkeyMeat, milk
DamaniPakistanMeat, wool
DamaraNamibiaMeat
Danish LandraceLandfår, KlitfårDenmarkWool
DebouilletUnited StatesWool
Derbyshire GritstoneUnited KingdomMeat
Deutsches BergschafWeißes Bergschaf, White Mountain, Deutsches Weisses BergschafGermanyMeat, wool
Devon ClosewoolUnited KingdomMeat
Devon LongwoolledDevon LongwoolUnited KingdomMeat, wool
Dohne MerinoDohne, El Dohne MerinoSouth AfricaMeat, wool
DorperSouth AfricaMeat
DorsetDorset Horn, Dorset HornedUnited KingdomMeat
Dorset DownUnited KingdomMeat
Drenth Heath SheepDrents HeideschaapNetherlandsVegetation management
DrysdaleNew ZealandWool
Duben sheepBulgariawool

E

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
EasycareUnited KingdomMeat
East FriesianOstfriesisches MilchschafGermanyMilk
EdilbayEdilbaevskaya, EdilbaevKazakhstan[3] [4] Meat, tail fat
ElliottdaleTasmaniaMeat, Wool
English LeicesterBakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester, Improved Leicester, Leicester, Leicester Longwool, New LeicesterEnglandMeat
Estonian RuhnuRuhnu maalammasEstoniaMeat, wool
Elinpelin sheep-Bulgariawool
Exlana sheep[5] United Kingdommeat, wool
Exmoor HornExmoorMeat

F

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
FabrianeseItalyMeat, milk
FaroesFaroe IslandsMeat, wool
Fat-tailed sheep (group of breeds)Africa, Middle East, Near East, Pakistan, Northern India, Western China, MongoliaMeat
FinnsheepSuomenlammas, Finnish LandraceFinlandMeat, Wool, Milk, Landscape Management
Flanders Milk sheepBelgium
ForystuféLeadersheep, ForystukindIcelandGenetic conservation, herd management
French Alpine sheepFrance
Friesian Milk sheepNetherlands
FuglestadNorway

G

Name PictureAlternative nameOrigin Purpose
GaddiKangra Valley, BhadarwahIndiaWool
GalicianOvella galegaSpainMeat, milk
GalwayIrelandMeat
Gansu Alpine Fine-woolNorthwestern Chinese Merino, North-West China MerinoChinaWool
Gentile di PugliaMerinos d'ItaliaItalyWool
German Whiteheaded MuttonWeißkopf, Weißköpfiges FleischschafGermanyMeat, wool
GotlandGotland Pälsfår, Gotland peltSwedenMeat, wool
GökçeadaTurkey
Greenlandic sheepkalaallit savaataat, savaGreenlandMeat, wool
Greyface DartmoorUnited KingdomMeat
Grey TroenderGrå trøndersauNorwayWool
GromarkAustraliaMeat, wool
Gulf Coast NativeLouisiana Scrub, Pineywoods NativeGulf Coast, United States
GuligasUzbekistan
GuirraMediterranean coast of SpainMeat
GuteGutefårSwedenGenetic conservation

H

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
HampshireHampshire DownUnited KingdomMeat
HanMongolia, China[6]
Langzhou Large-tail Han[7] Northern China
Small-tail HanChinaMeat
HanzhongChina
HarnaiPakistan[8]
Hasht NagriPakistan[9] Meat, wool
HazaragieAfghanistan[10] Meat
HebrideanSt. Kilda sheepScotlandVegetation management
HeidschnuckeFamily of sheep including
the three breeds below
GermanyMeat, wool, vegetation management
Graue gehörnte Heidschnucke[11] Grey Horned HeathGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation management
MoorschnuckeWhite Polled HeathGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation management
Weiße gehörnte HeidschnuckeWhite Horned HeathGermanyMeat, wool, vegetation management
HerdwickEnglandMeat
HerikTurkey
Hill RadnorWalesMeat
Hog IslandUnited StatesWool
Hu

I

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Icelandic sheepíslenska sauðkindinIcelandMeat, milk, wool
Inner Mongolian woolChina
Île-de-FranceDishley MerinoFranceMeat
Istrian milkIstrian PramenkaCroatia, SloveniaMeat, milk

J

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
JacobUnited KingdomMeat, wool, hide, pet
Jezersko–Solčava sheepBrillenschaf, Carinthian sheep, Seelaenderschaf, Spectacles SheepSloveniaMeat
Juraschaf

K

Name PictureAlternative nameOrigin Purpose
Karacabey MerinoTurkey
KachhiPakistan
KajliPakistanMeat, milk, wool
KamakuyrukTurkey
KarakulCentral AsiaMeat, milk, wool, hide
KarayakaTurkeyMeat, milk, wool
Kärntner BrillenschafSpectacled Alpine SheepAustriaMeat, wool, hide
KatahdinUnited StatesMeat
Kempen HeathNetherlands
Kerry HillWalesMeat
Kihnu NativeKihnu maalammasEstoniaWool
KıvırcıkTurkey
KookaPakistanMilk
Kashmir MerinoKashmirWool
KaragounikoGreece

L

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
LacauneFranceMilk
Landais
Langhe
Lati
LatxaLachaSpainMilk
LecceseMoscia LecceseItalyWool, milk
LeineschafGermanyMeat, wool
LincolnLincoln LongwoolEnglandWool
Lithuanian Black-headedLietuvos vietines siurksciavilnêsLithuaniaMeat, wool
LlanwenogWalesMeat
LleynDafad LlŷnWalesMeat
LohiPakistanWool
LonkImproved HaslingdenEnglandMeat, wool
Luzein sheep

M

NamePictureAlternative nameOriginPurpose
Magra sheepBikaneri Chokhla, Chakri, BikaneriRajasthan, IndiaWool
MalteseMalta
ManchegaSpainMeat, milk
Manech
MarwariIndiaMeat, wool
Manx LoaghtanLoaghtyn, LoghtanIsle of ManWool
MasaiKenya
MashamEnglandMeat, wool
Massese sheepItalyMilk
MeatmasterSouth AfricaMeat
MehrabanIranMeat
Merinizzata ItalianaItalyMeat, wool
MerinoSpain, TurkeyMeat, wool
Argentine Merino[12] ArgentinaMeat, wool
Arles MerinoFranceMeat, wool
Booroola MerinoAustraliaWool, research
Delaine MerinoUnited StatesWool
East Merino sheepFranceMeat, wool
Karacabey MerinoTurkey
Medium-wool Merino
Merinofleischschaf
MerinolandschafGermanyMeat, wool
Merino Longwool
Poll MerinoAustraliaMeat, wool
South African MerinoSouth AfricaMeat, wool
South African Meat MerinoSAMMSouth AfricaMeat, wool
Strong Wool Merino
Transylvanian MerinoRomania
Ming Black
Moghani
MontadaleUnited StatesMeat, wool
Morada NovaBrazilian WoollessBrazilMeat
Moles

N

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
NajdiNejdiSaudi ArabiaMeat, milk, wool
Namaqua AfrikanerSouth AfricaMeat, pelts
NaliWestern IndiaIndiaWool
Navajo-Churro sheepUnited StatesWool
Nederlandse Bonte SchaapDutch Spotted Sheep[13] Netherlandsmeat, wool
Nellorepalia, jodipi, doraIndiaMeat
NewfoundlandNewfoundland LocalCanada
NilgiriIndia
Noire du VelayFranceMeat
Nolana sheep
Norfolk HornBlackface Norfolk Horned, Norfolk Horned, Old Norfolk, Old Norfolk HornedUnited KingdomMeat
North RonaldsayOrkneyScotlandWool
Northern European short-tailed sheep (group of breeds)Baltic states, British Isles, Scandinavia, Germany, RussiaMeat, milk, wool
Norwegian Fur

O

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
OrkhonMongoliaWool
Ossimi
OuessantUshant, Breton Island DwarfFrance[14] Wool, hobby
Oula
OxfordOxford DownUnited KingdomMeat

P

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Pag IslandPaška ovcaCroatiaMeat, milk
Pagliarola
PanamaUnited StatesMeat
Pedi sheepBapediSouth AfricaMeat
PelibüeyCubano RojoCaribbean, Mexico, South AmericaMeat
PerendaleNew ZealandMeat
PinziritaSicilyMilk
Pitt IslandChatham Islands, New ZealandWool
PolwarthAustraliaMeat, wool
PolypayUnited StatesMeat, wool
PortlandEnglandMeat
PramenkaLička, Istarska, Kupreška or Dubska pramenkaCroatia, Bosnia and HerzegovinaMeat, milk, wool
PrianganGarutIndonesiaMeat, ram fighting
Polish HeathPoland
Poll DorsetAustraliaMeat
Polled DorsetUnited StatesMeat
Pomeranian Coarsewool SheepPomeranian Sheep, Rauhwolliges Pommersches LandschafGermanyMeat, vegetation management

Q

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
QashqaiChina
QiaokeChina
Qinghai Black TibetanChina
Qinghai SemifinewoolChina
QuadrellaItaly
Quanglin Large-TailChina

R

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Rabo Largo
RackaOvce cápová, CápoviceHungaryMeat, milk, wool
Rahmany sheepEl-rahmaniEgyptMeat, milk, wool
RambouilletRambouillet Merino, French MerinoFranceMeat, wool
Rasa AragonesaAragónMeat
Red EngadineEngadineSwitzerland
Red KaramanTurkey
Red MaasaiEast AfricaMeat
Rhoen sheepvegetation management
Rideau ArcottCanada
RussiaMeat
Romney sheepRomney MarshUnited KingdomMeat, wool
RoslagRoslagsfårSwedenMeat, wool
Rouge de l'OuestTête rouge du MaineFranceMeat
Rouge du RoussillonRoussillion RedFranceMeat, wool
Rough FellUnited KingdomMeat
Roux du ValaisWalliser Landschaf, Roux du PaysSwitzerlandMeat, wool
RudaAlbania, CroatiaWool
RyaRyafår, Swedish Carpet Wool SheepSwedenWool
RyelandUnited KingdomMeat
Rygja

S

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Sahel-type
SakizÇesmeTurkeyWool
SarajaTurkmenistanWool, meat
Santa CruzSanta Cruz Island, United StatesWool
Santa InêsBrazilMeat
SardinianBrabei Sarda, Pecora SardaItalyMilk
Sardi (Moroccan sheep)MoroccoMeat, milk, wool
Schoonebeker
Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf
Schwarzes Bergschaf
Scottish BlackfaceBlackfaced Highland, Kerry, Linton, Scotch Blackface, Scotch Horn, Scottish Highland, Scottish MountainScotlandMeat
Scottish DunfaceScottish Tanface, Old Scottish Short-woolScotland (extinct)[15] Meat, wool
SerraiSerraika, Serron Greece, SerresMeat, milk, wool [16]
ShetlandShetland IslandsMeat, wool
ShropshireUnited KingdomMeat
Sicilian BarbarySicily
SkuddeskuddenEstonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland [17] Meat, vegetation management, felting
SoayScotlandMeat
SomaliBerbera BlackheadSomaliaMeat
SopravissanaItalyMilk
South DevonUnited Kingdom
South DorsetUnited Kingdom
South HampshireUnited Kingdom
SouthdownUnited KingdomMeat
South Wales MountainWales
SpælsauOld Norwegian Short Tail LandraceNorwayMeat
Spiegel
St. CroixVirgin Island whiteVirgin IslandsMeat
Steigar
Steinschaf
SuffolkUnited KingdomMeat
SumavskaCzech RepublicMeat, milk, wool
SwaledaleUnited KingdomMeat, wool
Swedish FurSweden
Swifter
Schweizer Schwarzbraunes Bergschaf
Schweizer Alpenschaf
SåneDenmarkMeat, pelt

T

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
TaleshiIranMeat
ChinaHides, meat
TargheeUnited StatesWool
Tautra
TeeswaterUnited KingdomMeat
TEFRomNew ZealandMeat, wool
TexelNetherlandsMeat
Thalli
ŢigaieRomaniaMeat, milk, wool
Tiroler SteinschafPecora della Roccia TiroleseAustriaMeat, wool
Touabire
ŢsurcanăRomaniaMeat, milk, wool
TukidaleTuki Tuki in New Zealand, then Australia Meat, specialty carpet wool[18]
TunisTunisian BarbaryTunisiaMeat
TujTurkey
TürkgeldiTurkey

V

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Valachian sheepNative Wallachian sheepCzech RepublicMeat, milk, wool
Valachian Improved sheepCzech RepublicMeat, milk, wool
Valais BlacknoseWallis Blacknose, Walliser Schwarznasenschaf, Blacknosed Swiss, Visp, VisperschafSwitzerlandMeat, wool
Van RooyVan Rooy White PersianSouth AfricaMeat
VendéenFranceMeat

W

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Waldschaf
WaziriPakistanMeat, wool
Weißes Bergschaf
Welsh Hill Speckled FaceWales
Welsh Mountain sheepDefaid Mynydd Cymreig WalesMeat
Badger Face Welsh Mountain[19] Defaid Idloes, Badger Faced Welsh Mountain, Welsh Badger-facedWalesMeat
Balwen Welsh Mountain sheepWalesMeat
Black Welsh Mountain sheepDefaid Mynydd Duon WalesMeat
South Wales MountainWales
WensleydaleEnglandMeat
West African DwarfDjallonke, Fouta Djallon sheepWest Africa and Central AfricaMeat
White Horned Heath
White KaramanAkkaraman[20] Located in Central Anatolia, provinces adjacent to Eastern Anatolia and Southern Anatolia, the Black Sea region, and the Mediterranean regions close to Central Anatolia.
White SuffolkAustraliaMeat
Whiteface DartmoorUnited KingdomMeat
Whitefaced WoodlandPenistone sheepEnglandMeat
White Maritza sheepBulgaria
WiltipollAustraliaMeat
Wiltshire HornUnited KingdomMeat

X

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Xalda85pxSpainMeat[21]
Xaxi ArdiaSpain[22]
Xinjiang FinewoolChinaMeat, wool [23]

Y

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
YankasaNigeriaMeat
Yellow sheepYorkshire
Yemen WhiteYemen
Yiecheng
Yoroo
Yunnan SemifinewoolChina

Z

Name PictureAlternative name Origin Purpose
Zackel
Zaghawa
Zaian
Zaïre Long-Legged
Zakynthos
Zeeland Milk
Zel
ZelaznaZeleznienskaPolandMeat
Zemmour
Zeta Yellow
Zlatusha
Zoulay
ZwartblesNetherlandsMeat, milk, cheese
Zulu sheepNguniSouth AfricaMeat

See also

References

Sources

  1. Arabi subtype
  2. Cheviot subtype
  3. “EDILBAEV (Edilbaevskaya)”, pp. 237–238 of N.G. Dmitriev, L.K. Ernst (eds.): Animal genetic resources of the USS. FAO Animal Production And Health Paper 65. Rome: Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations, 1989. ([ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/ah759e/AH759E20.pdf pdf]). Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  4. http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Edilbaev+Sheep “Edilbaev Sheep,”
  5. Web site: Exlana genetics thrive in new entrant's low-input setup. October 30, 2019. Farmers Weekly. 25 February 2023.
  6. Web site: Han Sheep . 2023-09-15 . www.livestockoftheworld.com.
  7. Han subtype
  8. Web site: 2021-07-01 . Harnai Sheep - Oklahoma State University . 2023-09-15 . breeds.okstate.edu . en.
  9. Web site: 2021-07-01 . Hasht Nagri Sheep - Oklahoma State University . 2023-09-15 . breeds.okstate.edu . en.
  10. ali Askar . Sayed . Ahmad . Sohail . Ibrahim . Muhammad . September 2013 . Documentation and morphology of Hazaragie sheep native to central Afghanistan . The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences . ResearchGate.
  11. Heidschnucke subtype
  12. Merino subtype
  13. Web site: Dutch Spotted Sheep win the hearts of the Fosters high in Teesdale. August 2, 2021. FarmingLife. 22 March 2023.
  14. Web site: Ouessant Sheep Breed Information. RaisingSheep.net. 4 February 2015.
  15. Ryder, M. L. 1983. Sheep and Man. Duckworth, London; quoted in Stefan Adalsteinsson, 2000, 1000 Years of Sheep in Shetland.
  16. Αgricultural Cooperative Strymon, Serres Breeds Performances,(Greek).
  17. Web site: Skudde sheep . Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Science . 25 February 2002.
  18. Tukidale Sheep Society of Australia
  19. Welsh Mountain subtype
  20. Web site: Akkaraman Koyunu Nedir? Özellikleri Nelerdir? . 2022-05-22 . 2024-05-09.
  21. Web site: Xalda History. Breeders Association of Xalda Sheep. 25 February 2013. 2 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140602110251/http://www.xalda.com/historia_in.htm. dead.
  22. Web site: Category:Xaxi Ardia Sheep. The Work of God's Children's Educational Project. 25 February 2013. 23 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323171607/http://marysrosaries.com/collaboration/index.php?title=Category:Xaxi_Ardia_Sheep. dead.
  23. Web site: Xinjiang Fine Wool . 2013-02-25.

External links