sheep sheep small wool producing breed sheep originating kept parts world northern european short tailed sheep group closely related extinct classified breed breed kept fine wool meat conservation grazing small slow growing compared commercial breeds hardy easy long lived breed survived centuries difficult conditions poor diet thrive better conditions retain primitive survival instincts easier care modern breeds history sheep british isles parts northern western europe small short tailed male variable colour short tailed sheep gradually displaced long tailed types leaving short tailed sheep restricted accessible areas included scottish late eighteenth century main sheep type highlands islands scotland including died mainland scotland late nineteenth century leaving descendants limited islands including type regarded distinct early nineteenth century breed conservation early twentieth century perceived threatened cross breeding leading decline wool quality combat flock book society formed remains body responsible sheep protection native islands time rare breeds survival trust set 1970s rare listed category endangered breed popular classified category native breeds population mainland breed governed export history outside isles notorious sheep ram kept united_states president years early nineteenth century unlike modern like related breeds ram horns kept sheep president square white_house spring attacked people taken square injuring actually killing small boy having moved jefferson private estate ram eventually killed having killed described jefferson animal aggressive unusual north_america original jefferson flock persist mid twentieth century imported canada canada united_states 1980s north american sheep registry established thousands breed region modern farming today sheep mainly kept isles handful ability survive land useless good temperament major attraction keeping sheep commonly farmed prized wool kept meat breed characteristics smallest british breeds usually polled usually polled occur occasionally breed noted fine soft wool high quality meat smaller size limits use commercial meat markets small bodied animals wool faces legs legs medium length finely small erect ears distinguishing feature northern short tailed sheep short shaped tail broad base tapering point covered tip hair wool occur different colours patterns particular traditional names weigh approximately wool wool produced historically valuable produce numerous shades wool colours variety commercially important wool industry natural produced wool isles best known traditional lace fine pass wedding ring usually weigh november wool produced gained protected geographical status protected designation origin classification native wool non food product receive status colours patterns sheep possible sheep colours patterns solid white solid reddish brown black common colours patterns dialect names derive language spoken similar names language main colours recognised breed association including different shades light grey grey white bluish grey musket light brown dark grey black reddish brown honey toned yellowish brown dark brown thirty different coat patterns markings recognised occur combination include dark belly dark nose eyes lighter reverse light belly dark face light marks eyes dark generally light dark patches eyes dark white blaze face white marking muzzle white legs irregular patches different colours collar differing colour like primitive breeds highly seasonal fertile october november spring summer poor grazing breed native isles percentage better pasture twin common especially mature hardy easy good mothers produce ample milk healthy born weight lamb production truth slow growing forage conversion milk good excellent second forage conversion efficiency growth explosive good adequate forage easily body weight twins fall singles nearly big heavy easily capable twins makes optimal maternal base lamb production prowess producing hybrid market breed leicester ram pasture management system flocks pairs twins days lamb weighing dam lamb highest quality rave reviews home alike texture flavor desirable high yielding nice flavor customers breeders preferring lamb lines bred selection pressure focused finer fiber diameter perform lamb producers vice versa breeders find breed maintains balance ability produce quality managed relatively
Shetland sheep