Sheep Breeds of the World

Because sheep have been domesticated as farm animals for some 10,000 years, dozens of breeds have developed around the world. Sheep reached the Americas in the 15th century, thanks to the explorations of Christopher Columbus, who brought them along as a food supply. Some breeds of sheep have been engineered by man to produce wool of a particular quality or to grow quickly.

  1. Britain

    • One of the most common sheep breeds in Britain, the Blackface are recognizable by the color of their faces and their white legs. Blackface sheep have horns, while the thickness of their coats varies from fine to quite coarse. A number of sub-breeds of Blackface exist, such as the Perth and the Galloway. The Welsh Mountain ewe gets its name from the elevations where it usually lives. In contrast to the Blackface, the Welsh Mountain ewe has a tan or white face.

    Northern Europe

    • The Spelsau is believed by many to be the original sheep breed in Norway. This hardy breed is well-adapted to the Scandinavian climate and has been domesticated in Norway since the Iron Age, according to the Science 24 website. It's characterized by its short tail. Other short-tail sheep found in Northern Europe include the Finnish Landrace -- noted for the tendency of its ewes to produce several lambs during a birth -- and the Icelandic, a stocky breed that is especially resilient against cold weather.

    New Zealand &Australia

    • New Zealand is famously home to more sheep than people. Breeds present in the country include the Borderdale, characterized by its medium build and lengthy wool which is commonly used for commercial, heavy-weight yarns. Borderdales are the result of cross-breeding between Corriedale and Border Leicester sheep, and first appeared during the 1960s. Australia is also home to many sheep breeds, including the Australian White, a variety created by stud sheep operations for its fast growth rate, heavy weight and large size, all of which are a boon when it comes to slaughtering the breed's lambs for meat.

    The Americas

    • The Santa Ines is an example of a South American breed. Native to Brazil, it is recognizable by its long legs, bigger-than-average ears and typically large size. The Santa Inês is believed to be the result of cross-breeding among two Brazilian varieties, the Morada Nova and the Crioula, and the Bergamasca sheep, from Italy. Originally from England, the Hampshire is now found in various states in the U.S., having been imported from England during the 19th century. Hampshires, which grow quickly, are often bred specifically to maximize their fiber or meat productivity.