These can range from meat, wool, and milk production or a combination of characteristics. The Merino is a popular domestic sheep breed. The descriptions of wool are taken from various referrence sources, as well as personal experience, and are only meant to be a rough way to differentiate between types of wool.] Montadale Sheep Breeds Ram or "sire" breeds excel in growth and carcass (meat) characteristics whereas ewe or "dam" (maternal) breeds excel in fitness (e.g. The wool is among the finest of the long wool breeds. Merino sheep are wool sheep breed. The American Sheep Industry Association recognizes 47 different breeds of sheep in the United States. They are known for their long, purled locks, with a staple length of 8 to 12 inches. The breed is now predominantly medium grey colour and is commonly known as the Swedish Pelt Sheep. Romeldale is an American fine wool breed, and the California Variegated Mutant (CVM) is its multi-colored derivative. The breed resulted from the crossing of the Wiltshire Horn, Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Poll Dorset, Lincoln and English Leicester sheep. These breeds are classified into six different breed types: meat, fine wool, long wool, dual purpose, hair, and minor breeds. The Mecheri is an Indian sheep breed. Barbados Blackbelly sheep, of predominantly West African origin, were imported into the United States in the early 1900s. Large and hearty, good mothers, and prolific to boot, it's no wonder the Suffolk is many a farmer's breed of choice for meat sheep. The first Coolalee rams became commercially available in 1983. Use Sheep breeds are often categorized as to whether they are more suitable as a ram or ewe in the breeding program. Long Wool Breeds that produce long, wavy or ringed fleece, used primarily for tweeds and rugs. Mecheri sheep are one among the recognized breeds of sheep in Tamil Nadu and reared mainly for meat and the primary by-product is skin. The Teeswater was crossed with the English Leicester to yield to Wensleydale breed. The fleece is also quite curly and similar in some ways to mohair. #30. These sheep are popular with weavers. Merino. The Teeswater is a large, dual-purpose, long wool sheep from Great Britain. What differentiates between a hair sheep and a wool sheep is that hair sheep have fewer wooly fibers and more “hairy” fibers. Technically, all sheep have both wool and hair fibers. Wool by breeds [This is a partial list of some of the breeds of sheep whose wool is used by handspinners. The older sheep-wool is a little too coarse for use in garments and not so lustrous. Interestingly, there are some studies that show that certain hair sheep breeds (like Katahdins and Dorpers) are more resistant to parasites, too. Lambs-wool of this breed is in demand for its softness and lustre, being long enough to be combed. The breed is free of wool, polled, and of a distinctive red-brown color with black belly and badger face pattern. Both are considered rare sheep breeds and are unique to the United States. If you are interested in raising sheep for wool the Romeldale is a great choice. Coolalee sheep are Australian short wool, meat sheep breed, developed from an eight-year breeding program commenced in 1968. Knowing the breed and fibre characteristics is important when choosing the best fibre for your projects. Wool sheep can be mainly classed in four general categories: Fine wool breeds, Long wool breeds, Medium wool and Carpet wool breeds. Medium Wool Breeds that produce medium-soft wool used as … Our interest is is the fine, medium and longwool breeds. However, they are also good for meat production. They are almost always polled, and mature ewes can weigh up to 250 pounds. Found mostly in high, cool, rainy areas such as England, Scotland and New Zealand. Suffolks are easily distinguishable from other breeds of sheep by their white wool, black faces, and long, black legs.