Guide to Sheep Breeds

St. Croix 

Size: small to medium
Appearance: most are white with colored spots; rams have a mane
Fleece: hair, sometimes mixed with wool and hair
Breeding: year round and can sometimes breed twice a year
Lambing rate: 150-200 percent
Behavior: excellent foragers, docile, alert but easily managed; good flocking instinct
Use: meat, milk
Origin: Caribbean, possibly originally from West Africa
Environment: adapted to a range of climates, including high heat and humidity; in cold climates, they produce a heavy coat that sheds in the spring
ALBC rating: threatened

St. Croix, also known as the Virgin Island White sheep, are used for meat production and sometimes in dairies. They have exceptional resistance to parasites, early maturity and easy lambing.

St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders of North America
P.O. Box 1439
Goldendale, WA 98620-1439
admin@StCroixHairSheepBreeders.org  

Shetland 

Size: small
Appearance: multicolored; short tails
Horns: rams usually have spiral horns; ewes are polled
Fleece: fine fleece with short staple; a range of colors
Breeding:
Lambing rate:
Behavior: alert, even wild; strong maternal instinct
Use: fleece, meat
Origin: England
Environment: can thrive under harsh conditions
ALBC rating: recovering

Shetlands are a primitive breed of sheep, at least a thousand years old. The sheep are hardy and lambing is usually easy. The lambs are slow to mature and are often kept over the winter before being marketed. The meat is known for its distinctive flavor. Shetland fleece is prized by handspinners and sometimes used to make ”ring shawls” – shawls so fine that they can be pulled through a wedding ring. The fleece comes in an incredible range of colors and patterns.

North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association
15603 173rd Ave.
Milo, IA 50166  

Shropshire

Size: medium
Appearance: dark brown face and legs; white wool
Fleece: heavy fleece of medium-grade wool
Breeding: seasonal
Lambing rate: 175-200 percent under good conditions
Behavior: gentle, good maternal instinct
Use: meat, wool
Origin: England
Environment: adapted to a range of pasture conditions, especially cold wet weather
ALBC rating: recovering