The Danish Landrace (

Danish language Danish (; , ) is a North Germanic language spoken by about six million people, principally in and around Denmark. Communities of Danish speakers are also found in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the northern German region of Southern Schles ...

: ', ') is a breed of

sheep Sheep or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are domesticated, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus ''Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to domesticated s ...

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Jutland Jutland ( da, Jylland ; german: Jütland ; ang, Ēota land ), known anciently as the Cimbric or Cimbrian Peninsula ( la, Cimbricus Chersonesus; da, den Kimbriske Halvø, links=no or ; german: Kimbrische Halbinsel, links=no), is a peninsula of ...

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

. The breed, which had a population of approximately 370 in 2000, is not a true

landrace A landrace is a domesticated, locally adapted, often traditional variety of a species of animal or plant that has developed over time, through adaptation to its natural and cultural environment of agriculture and pastoralism, and due to isolation ...

, but descend from Heath sheep and

Merino The Merino is a breed or group of breeds of domestic sheep, characterised by very fine soft wool. It was established in Spain near the end of the Middle Ages, and was for several centuries kept as a strict Spanish monopoly; exports of the bree ...

, with early specimen interbreeding in the 19th century with

Leicester Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest settlement in the East Midlands. The city l ...

and

Oxford Down The Oxford Down is a British breed of domestic sheep. It was developed in the 1830s by cross-breeding of Hampshire Down and Southdown ewes with Cotswold rams. It is reared primarily for meat. History The Oxford Down developed from abo ...

sheep. While up to 10% of males have horns, the breed is mostly polled.

Description

The Danish Landrace sheep is a rather small and light breed. They are a very hardy breed and are thought to have survived because they do well in the harsh climate and nutrient poor lands of the dune

heath A heath () is a shrubland habitat found mainly on free-draining infertile, acidic soils and characterised by open, low-growing woody vegetation. Moorland is generally related to high-ground heaths with—especially in Great Britain—a cooler ...

s of western Jutland. No other sheep breed can compete with them in this particular habitat, but they require large areas to roam and are a wild breed by nature. With males averaging and females , Danish Landrace are a medium-sized,

double-coated The coat of the domestic dog refers to the hair that covers its body. Dogs demonstrate a wide range of coat colors, patterns, textures, and lengths. As with other mammals, a dog's fur has many uses, including thermoregulation and protection f ...

long-tailed sheep that produce of fleece. As meat is not abundant on Danish Landrace sheep, their plenty of wool is used in manufacturing

wool Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have properties similar to animal wool. As ...

blanket A blanket is a swath of soft cloth large enough either to cover or to enfold most of the user's body and thick enough to keep the body warm by trapping radiant body heat that otherwise would be lost through convection. Etymology The term ...

s and

carpet A carpet is a textile floor covering typically consisting of an upper layer of pile attached to a backing. The pile was traditionally made from wool, but since the 20th century synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon, or polyester hav ...

s. The face and tail of the sheep are spotted brown, but they are predominantly white. Danish Landrace sheep can be experienced at

The Funen Village The Funen Village ( da, Den Fynske Landsby) is an open-air museum located in the neighborhood of Fruens Bøge in Odense, Denmark. History The Funen Village was founded as a public works project in 1942, during the German occupation of Denmark. ...

open-air museum.

Conservation status

In 1986, the Danish Landrace sheep population was down to almost 50 animals, with only three male breeders registered. Danish conservation efforts has now stabilized the breed, with an estimated stock of about 1,100 animals and 30 registered male breeders in 28 herds (2004 numbers). The breed is still largely endangered though.
Foreningen "Gamle Danske husdyrracer" is a non-profit public Danish association to secure old and original Danish landrace breeds and disseminate knowledge of these breeds.EFABIS

References

Sources

Dansk Landfår/Sheep/Denmark
European Farm Animal Biodiversity Information System (EFABIS) Sheep breeds Sheep breeds originating in Denmark {{sheep-stub

Description

Conservation status

See also

References

Sources