The Heidschnucke is a group of three types of moorland sheep from northern Germany. Like a number of other types from

Scandinavia Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Swe ...

and

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It i ...

, they are Northern European short-tailed sheep. The three breeds of Heidschnucke (in order of population size) are: * German Grey Heath ()Grey Horned Heath
at www.heidschnucken-verband.de. Accessed on 19 Aug 2010. * White Polled Heath ( or ) * White Horned Heath () The main breeding areas are the north German heathland and moors of the Lüneburg Heath. That said, this sheep, which is easy to look after, may nowadays be found in all parts of Europe, mainly because of its meat which has a gamey flavour. Some breeds are classed as domestic species threatened with extinction so their preservation is subsidised within the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been de ...

. The hair of the German Grey Heath is greyish and very long. Its legs, tail and head are black, the lambs are born black and take on adult markings in their second year. There are also white variants. Both sexes have horns. The meat of the (a German Grey Heath) is protected within Europe under this name and may carry the seal to show that it is a Protected Designation of Origin (). On the other hand, its long, straggly wool is only suitable for coarsely woven fabrics such as carpets. The (a white polled moorland sheep) is also a protected local breed. In former times there were north German flocks of moorland sheep that were both grey and white, horned and polled. By selective breeding during the 20th century the breeds seen today were created and their weight virtually doubled. "Moorland Sheep Day" () takes place every year on the second Thursday in July at Müden. Here the young rams that have proved themselves are presented to breeders and onlookers. The best animals are awarded prizes. Heidschnucke rams can be bought at the closing auction. Image:Heidschnuckentag_A2005.jpg, Inspection of rams. Image:Heidschnuckentag_B2005.jpg, Young rams are awarded prizes. Image:heidschnucke.jpg, Heidschnucke ewe. Image:Heidschnucken.jpg, Flock on heath near

Schneverdingen Schneverdingen (; Low Saxon ''Snevern'') is a city in the northern part of the district of Heidekreis, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located in the area known as Lüneburg Heath. Geography Location Schneverdingen is situated approximately north ...

. Image:geschorene Heidschnucken 25.jpg, Shorn Heidschnucke flock on the Lüneburg Heath.

References

External links

Lüneburg Moorland Sheep Breeders Association including description of the German Grey Heath breed

Website of the Association for the Preservation of Old and Endangered Domestic Animal Breeds (GEH)
{{commons category, Heidschnucke (Lüneburger Heide) Sheep breeds Lüneburg Heath Heidmark Sheep breeds originating in Germany Animal breeds on the GEH Red List

See also

References

External links