001. Species.

Sheep

Ovis aries

Coat color is controlled by MC1R Extension and ASIP Agouti, with hair vs wool a separate complex inheritance. Several breed-specific and welfare-critical alleles have peer-reviewed molecular tests: the PRNP scrapie susceptibility locus (5 haplotypes ARR/ARQ/ARH/AHQ/VRQ; ARR/ARR is resistant, VRQ/VRQ is highly susceptible); Spider Lamb Syndrome (FGFR3 V700E recessive in Suffolk and Hampshire); Callipyge muscle hypertrophy (CLPG, paternally-inherited polar overdominance, unique mode of inheritance in mammals); Booroola fecundity (FecB/BMPR1B Q249R, one copy adds ~1 lamb per lambing, two copies add ~1.5); Texel-type myostatin polymorphism. National Scrapie Eradication Program incentivizes ARR/ARR breeding.

Species

Sheep on Breed Ledger

ClassOther

Breeds15

Registries0

On record0

Groups1

TierReference

001Breed catalog 002Breeders

002. Breed catalog

15 recognized
sheep breeds.

Breeds are grouped by working purpose. Each entry links to its trait profile, registry recognition, and the breeders running that breed on Breed Ledger.

Search15 of 15

Group

B1 entry

Barbados Blackbelly on Breed Ledger

Barbados Blackbelly

Caribbean hair breed distinguished by distinctive black belly markings. BBSBA registered. Highly heat-tolerant, prolific, and parasite-resistant. Sheds fleece; no shearing required.

C2 entries

Cheviot on Breed Ledger

Cheviot

Hardy British breed from the Cheviot Hills, known for resilient, springy white wool. Alert, active forager adapted to rugged terrain. Medium-sized dual-purpose breed.

Corriedale on Breed Ledger

Corriedale

New Zealand breed developed from Lincoln and Merino crosses for both wool and meat production. ASI registered. Popular dual-purpose choice for small farms.

D2 entries

Dorper on Breed Ledger

Dorper

South African breed developed from Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian crosses. Popular for fast growth and easy care in the US. Hair-type breed that sheds annually; highly fertile and can breed year-round.

Dorset on Breed Ledger

Dorset

English breed known for its ability to breed out of season, making year-round lamb production possible. ADSA registered. White-faced, dual-purpose, and prolific.

H1 entry

Hampshire on Breed Ledger

Hampshire

Large, black-faced English meat breed descended from the Southdown. One of the most common breeds in US 4-H and FFA programs. Known for muscular lambs and rapid growth rate.

I1 entry

Icelandic on Breed Ledger

Icelandic

Ancient Nordic breed of the Viking-era, a heritage breed maintained relatively isolated since Viking-era introduction (~9th century CE). Triple-purpose breed (milk, meat, wool). Known for long, dual-coated fleece used in handspinning.

J1 entry

Jacob

Ancient, multi-horned piebald breed with a black and white spotted pattern. JSBA registered. Fine, varied wool popular with handspinners; small and easy to handle.

K1 entry

Katahdin

American hair sheep breed developed in Maine for low-input, pasture-based production. KHSI registered. Sheds fleece annually, highly parasite-tolerant, and productive in warm climates.

M1 entry

Merino on Breed Ledger

Merino

Premier fine-wool breed producing the softest, fine wool (under 22 microns) prized for apparel. Australian Merino dominates global fine-wool markets. Hardy, adaptable, and highly prolific.

R1 entry

Rambouillet

Large, fine-wool breed developed in France from Spanish Merino stock. Foundation of the American fine-wool industry. Adaptable, long-lived, and productive on range.

S3 entries

Southdown on Breed Ledger

Southdown

Small, fine-boned English breed producing fine-grained, sweet mutton and short, dense wool. ASSA registered. Calm disposition and popular in both commercial and show settings.

St. Croix on Breed Ledger

St. Croix

Virgin Islands hair breed that sheds annually, highly parasite-resistant, and productive in hot, humid climates. Registered by SCSBA. Popular in the southeastern US and crossbreeding programs.

Suffolk

Premier market lamb breed in the United States, known for rapid growth and lean carcass quality. Large, black-faced breed with long, muscular body. Widely used as a terminal sire.

T1 entry

Texel

Dutch breed with exceptional muscling and very low external fat. ATBA registered. Popular as a terminal sire in crossbreeding programs for lean, well-muscled market lambs.

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