Dorset Horn
The Dorset Horn is an ancient breed likely developed from the white faced, horned, wooly sheep that thrived in the sheltered valleys and lush hill pastures of southwestern England. Although a combination of a hornless mutation and the introduction of other breeds has created a Polled Dorset (polled = hornless), only the original Dorset Horn is of conservation interest.
Large and wooly.
These are by far the largest sheep we raise, with ewes close to 200 pounds. They are all white, and produce a wonderful spongy, bright white fleece with a 5-6 inch staple length.
Both ewes and rams have horns in the Dorset Horn breed. This photo shows our lovely yearling Dorset Horn ewes.
Very docile, despite the size and horns.
We love the gentle disposition of the breed, and so does our barn cat. He spends the cold winter days hanging out with our Dorset ewes, and petting himself by rubbing his back on their nice, soft, warm bellies.
Aseasonal Breeding
An interesting feature of this breed is they will lamb virtually anytime of year, as opposed to most wool breeds, (and definitely most breeds from the British Isles,) which are limited to Spring-time lambing only.
Dorset Horn rams at Auburn University. We have been breeding our ewes by artificial insemination.
