There are many different types of sheep breeds that you can choose to raise on your farm.
While some people may be drawn to the traditional breeds, there are a number of hair sheep breeds that can provide you with plenty of benefits.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular hair sheep breeds. We’ll discuss their unique characteristics and what makes them stand out from other breeds.
If you’re looking for a more efficient way to raise sheep, then consider giving hair sheep a try.
Table of Contents:
What Are Hair Sheep?
Hair sheep are a type of livestock that are valued for their exceptional qualities as meat and milk producers.
Unlike other types of sheep, hair sheep do not grow wool, which makes them easier and more cost-effective to raise.
Instead, they grow hair that can be clipped if desired, but otherwise, just sheds off when new hair takes its place.
In addition, hair sheep tend to be more heat tolerant than typical breeds of sheep, which makes them ideal for tropical or arid climates.
These animals also have lower maintenance requirements than traditional sheep in terms of feed and healthcare needs, making them a popular choice among farmers and ranchers looking to maximize profits while minimizing efforts.
Overall, hair sheep are an important type of livestock due to their superior ability to produce high-quality meat while requiring fewer resources than many other breeds.
Why Raise Hair Sheep?
There are many different reasons to consider raising sheep on your farm or homestead.
For one, these animals are known for their hardiness and resilience, making them the ideal choice for a wide range of climates and conditions.
They are also relatively low-maintenance, requiring less time and resources than other animal species.
They tend to have better parasite resistance as well. They are less prone to problems with internal parasites and even grow faster than many varieties of meat goats.
Furthermore, hair sheep produce high-quality meat and fiber that is in high demand from both local producers and consumers.
So if you’re looking for a versatile livestock option that is easy to manage and produces excellent products, then consider adding some hair sheep to your farm today!
Below, I’ll detail some of the best possible breeds you can consider raising.
What Are the Best Breeds of Hair Sheep? 20 Breeds to Consider
So, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance sheep breed, hair sheep are definitely worth considering!
1. Katahdin
Katahdin hair sheep are a hardy breed that is well-suited to colder climates and mountainous regions. The breed was developed in the s 1970s in Maine by a man named Michael Piel. It takes its name from Mount Katahdin, the highest point in the state.
Katahdins are large sheep, with both rams and ewes typically weighing over 200 pounds. They are also known for their thick, lustrous hair, which is often used in the production of high-quality yarn.
They are prolific breeders, with ewes known to produce triplets quite often…
Today, Katahdin sheep hair breeds can be found in many parts of the world, including New Zealand, Australia, and Chile. They are prized for their meat, which is lean and flavorful.
2. Dorper
Dorper Sheep is a South African meat breed that has gained popularity around the world for its rapid growth and adaptability. Compared to many other wool breeds of sheep, this breed is prolific and hardy.
The Dorper is a hybrid of two other breeds from South Africa, the Blackhead Persian and the Dorset Horn.
They were developed in the 1930s and have since been exported to over 50 countries. Dorpers are well-suited to hot, arid climates and can convert low-quality vegetation into high-quality meat.
They are also known for their signature black and white markings. Today, Dorper Sheep are used extensively in the meat industry, and their lambs are considered some of the tastiest in the world.
3. American Blackbelly
The American Blackbelly sheep is a breed of domestic sheep that was developed in the United States. The breed is a cross between the Rambouillet, Mouflon, and Barbados Blackbelly sheep.
The American Blackbelly is a medium-sized sheep with dark brown or black fur and white legs. The breed is known for its hair, which is prized for its softness and thermal properties.
The American Blackbelly sheep is also well-suited to hot climates and is often raised in the southern United States.
4. St. Croix
St. Croix sheep are a unique breed of sheep that are native to the island of St. Croix in the Caribbean. They are now quite popular throughout North America and other parts of the world as well.
They are known for their soft, curly hair and for their generally docile temperament. In addition to being raised for hair fibers and meat, St. Croix sheep are also commonly used as pack animals, as they are particularly well-adapted to hot and humid climates.
They are good at finding their own forage and are hardy, rarely requiring even a barn for shelter.
They have even been used on several archaeological expeditions due to their ability to endure long hours and tough terrain without getting tired or injured.
Overall, these hardy and adaptable sheep make an important contribution to the ecology and economy of St. Croix, making them an important part of the island’s culture and history.
5. Romanov
The Romanov sheep is a breed of sheep known for its distinctively long and silky coat.
Developed in Russia in the early 19th century, this breed has since become popular throughout the world.
Romanov sheep are also known for their hardy and adaptable nature.
They are usually very calm and docile, making them easy to work with, and they can thrive in a wide variety of climates and conditions.
6. Barbados Blackbelly
Barbados Blackbelly sheep are hardy, versatile animals that are well suited to a wide range of conditions.
Not only are they known for their excellent fiber and meat quality, but they are also popular for leather production.
With their thick coats and strong legs, they are able to survive extreme weather and difficult terrain. They are also highly adaptable, making them ideal for both pastoral and agrarian settings.
Additionally, the sheep’s mild temperament makes them easy to handle and care for, which is important given the integral role that they play on many farms.
7. St. Augustine
St. Augustine sheep are a hardy breed of sheep native to the southern United States. Known for their well-developed fiber, these sheep have historically thrived in both hot and humid conditions and dry, arid conditions alike.
They are especially well-suited to coastal environments with sandy soils, where grasses tend to thrive but other plants can be difficult to grow.
Thanks to their resistance to a variety of environmental challenges, St. Augustine sheep are highly valued by farmers and ranchers across the region.
Overall, the St. Augustine sheep is an iconic breed that has long played an essential role in the agricultural landscape of the American south.
8. Wiltshire Horn
The Wiltshire Horn sheep is a British breed of domestic sheep. It derives from the ancient lineage of horned sheep that were once found throughout England, and it is thought to be one of the oldest surviving breeds of sheep in the world.
The Wiltshire Horn is a large, dual-purpose breed, bred for both its meat and its wool. The breed is known for its unusually large horns, which can grow up to two feet in length.
The hair of the Wiltshire Horn is considered to be some of the finest quality fiber in the world, and it is often used in high-end garments and textiles.
The breed is also known for its docile and gentle nature, making it a popular choice for farm animals.
However, due to its large horns, the Wiltshire Horn can sometimes be a cause for concern among animal welfare groups.
9. Royal White
The Royal White sheep is an American domestic breed of white-colored sheep. The development of the breed started in Texas in the mid-1990s.
The Royal White sheep is a moderate size animal and ewes usually weigh between 120 and 200 pounds while rams weigh between 180 and 250 pounds.
They are considered a dual-purpose breed, raised both for meat and for fiber from their hair.
The lambs grow quickly and reach slaughter weight at around four to five months of age. The carcasses have a good dressing percentage and large proportions of meat relative to the bone.
The breed has a calm temperament which makes them easy to handle. They are also known for being adaptable to various climates and environments.
10. California Red
The California red sheep is a relatively new breed. The breed was created by crossing Tunis and Barbados sheep.
Today, California red sheep are considered to be a medium-sized breed, with ewes averaging around 150 pounds and rams weighing in at around 200 pounds.
The meat of the California red sheep is considered to be some of the best-tasting lambs in the world.
Consequently, the breed has become quite popular with both ranchers and chefs alike.
11. Mouflon
Mouflon sheep are a unique breed that has played an important role in the history of animal husbandry.
With their distinctly curved horns and shaggy brown pelts, these hardy sheep have long been prized for their ability to thrive in harsh conditions.
In addition to their legendary resilience, these sheep also produce high-quality hair, which has made them an indispensable source of both meat and fiber over the centuries.
Today, mouflon sheep continue to be raised across the globe, with farmers cultivating them for both commercial purposes and cultural value.
12. Blackhead Persian
The blackhead Persian sheep breed is a hardy livestock breed known for its long, richly colored hair and adaptable nature.
These animals are highly sought-after by farmers and shepherds due to their ability to thrive in any type of environment, from arid plains to lush valleys.
Their thick coats help protect against extreme temperatures, while their powerful digestive systems allow them to fully utilize even the most limited sources of nutrients.
Additionally, the blackhead Persian sheep breed is known for its unique musculature, which results in an agile, sleek body that can move with agility over any type of terrain.
13. West African Dwarf
West African dwarf sheep are one of the oldest and hardiest breeds of sheep native to Africa.
These small, stocky animals have long been prized for their valuable fiber, as well as for being an important source of meat in many parts of the continent.
In addition, despite their relatively small stature, these sturdy sheep are able to thrive under a wide range of conditions, making them incredibly versatile and well suited for life in the wild.
14. Red Maasai
The Red Maasai sheep is a popular breed that is prized for its meat and fiber. The animals are native to the Maasai Mara region of Kenya, where they roam freely on the open plains.
They are well adapted to the harsh conditions of the Savannah, with long legs that enable them to run at high speeds and thick coats that protect them from the sun and predators.
The animals are also known for their striking red color, which is thought to help them blend in with the surroundings and avoid detection by predators.
The Red Maasai sheep is an important source of food and income for the Maasai people, who have raised the animals for centuries.
In recent years, the breed has become popular in other parts of Africa and around the world, as more people seek out its unique flavor and quality fiber.
15. Africana
The Africana sheep is a breed of domestic sheep originating from Africa. It is a very old breed, and its origins are thought to date back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians.
It is most commonly raised now in Colombia and Venezuela.
This is a relatively small breed. The coat of the African Blacktail is short and red to black, with a white underside.
Africana sheep are known for their hardiness and disease resistance, and they are also very adaptable to different climates.
Today, Africana sheep are raised primarily for meat production, although they are also sometimes kept as pets or used for fiber production.
16. Touabire
The Touabire sheep breed is a distinctive breed of sheep that is found primarily in Africa. The breed is characterized by its black and white coloration.
The Tabire sheep are known for their hardiness and adaptability, and they are often used for meat production.
While the Tabire sheep breed is not widely known outside of Africa it plays an important role in the region’s agriculture and economy.
17. Uda
The Uda sheep is a breed of domestic sheep that is native to places like Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
The Uda sheep is a small breed, with ewes typically weighing between 50 and 60 pounds.
The Uda sheep is a hardy breed that is resistant to disease, and it has been successfully introduced to other parts of the world, including the United States.
18. Brazilian Somali
The Brazilian Somali is a medium-sized, dual-purpose sheep breed from southern Brazil.
It is a cross between the Blackhead Persian and other native sheep. Both sexes are polled and small framed.
It was developed in the 1930s and 1940s to improve milk production in the region. The Brazilian Somali is a hardy breed that can tolerate hot, humid climates.
It is an excellent forager and does well on rangelands. Also, it has the lowest mortality rate from birth to weaning.
19. Somali
The Somali sheep breed is a hardy, adaptable animal that has been used for centuries by sheep farmers throughout the world.
Known for their resilience in arid climates and areas prone to drought, these sheep are able to survive even when resources are scarce.
20. Rabo Largo
Rabo Largo is a special kind of sheep breed hailing from Brazil.
Renowned for its excellent fiber and remarkable adaptability, this hardy sheep has been prized by farmers and shepherds all over the world for centuries.
Furthermore, they have a strong resistance to disease, making them an ideal choice for flocks in areas where infection can be a significant threat.
Are Hair Sheep Easy to Raise?
Looking for an easy-to-care-for sheep breed? Hair sheep may be the perfect choice!
These sheep are bred for their ability to thrive in hot, humid climates and don’t require shearing since they shed their coats naturally.
Hair sheep are also generally disease-resistant and have few problems with parasites.
As with any new venture, do your research before choosing a breed, and get started by following these tips for success. Are you ready to start raising sheep?
Rebekah is a high-school English teacher n New York, where she lives on a 22 acre homestead. She raises and grows chickens, bees, and veggies such as zucchini (among other things).