Sheep Breeds

The best of Lamb

Charollais

Yes the Charollais is also a breed of sheep (not to be confused with the Charolais!). It is a very old grassland breed which has many qualities and very few faults. A remarkable growth, an excellent dairy value, all to take care of its young and to ensure a job well done to our breeders. The natural qualities of the breed are at the origin of its extension in many countries and in the United Kingdom it is called the British Charollais.

Image Copyright: Steve Rogers

Charmoise

Charming, isn't it? Over time, the Charmoise has earned a reputation as a real tough one! It resists the most difficult conditions, because after all, its charm is its strength. She knows how to be content with little and draws easily from her reserves. This also allows it to cope with drought conditions during the hot season.

Texel

With its folds on the muzzle and its serious look, this breed is native to the island of the same name, in the Netherlands. The Texel sheep is robust and exceptionally thrifty. Its wool is very crepy, fine with a dense fiber, which naturally protects its lambs at birth. The breed thrives on relatively poor pastures. The Texel is a grassland and outdoor breed that adapts very well to temperate climates and is found in France, Great Britain and Ireland.

Image Copyright: OSSON

Swaledale

With its dense and thick fleece, the Swaledale is a very hardy breed. It owes its name to the valley of Swaledale in Yorkshire. It has a black head marked with white on the muzzle and around the eyes, the ewes wear spiral horns, which is also the case of the ram, its horns being much larger. Implanted in the North of England, the breed has been selected to endure a hostile climate with a poor diet and partially made up of heather.

Blackface

The Blackface breed is the first sheep breed in the United Kingdom. Originally from Scotland, all Blackface sheep have horns, both male and female. Their heads and legs are either black and white or all black. Resistant, it adapts very well to its environment and is often found in places with little vegetation. The main aptitude of the breed is to make the most of the high altitude pastures. Blackface lambs are raised outdoors and their meat is known for the unique subtle taste.

Vendée

The Vendée sheep is a very old breed. Originally, the Vendée sheep is the result of a selection started nine centuries ago of a local and varied population from the Bas-Poitou region. Since then, its history has evolved and it has been crossed with the Flandrine breed from Holland. The Vendée sheep is easily recognizable by its mouse grey colour and its wool square on the head. His temperament is calm and docile. It has a very good capacity to adapt to different breeding systems and different types of climates. This is why it is implanted in France but also in Great Britain and Ireland.

Image Copyright: Michael Adelo

Suffolk

Breed of English origin, the Suffolk is the result of the crossing undertaken at the end of the 18th century between Norfolk ewes and Southdown rams. The Suffolk ram is easily identifiable thanks to its black head and legs. Its head is devoided of horns and wool, and is covered with fine, shiny black hair. The ewe has long black ears, which are drooping in the male. Its many qualities make the Suffolk very popular in Great Britain and the breed was introduced in France at the end of the 19th century.

Image Copyright: Steve Rogers

Romney

Native to the southern English counties of Kent and Sussex, Romney sheep are large, hornless and covered with long fleece. The Romney has developed on its own and has adapted well to its moist and often harsh environment. It has a natural resistance that protects it from trampling (a disease of the sheep's foot). It has become very popular and widespread in Great Britain and further afield. The size and quality of the fleece have strongly contributed to the building of the notoriety of this breed, but the breed excels above all by its formidable ability to convert grassland into tender meat with very fine grain.

Western Red

The Western Red is a French sheep breed native to Maine-Anjou. It would have a common origin with the Blue breed of Maine and would result from the crossing, in the 19th century, of English Wensleydale blue-faced rams with ewes of local breed. It is mainly distinguished by the reddish-pink coloration of its head. A large breed, the Western Red is very maternal which allows it to easily raise multiple lambs.