The Whiteface Dartmoor is a
breed of
domestic 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 ...
originating in the
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon, England. The moorland and surrounding land has been protected by National Park status since 1951. Dartmoor National Park covers .
The granite which forms the uplands dates from the Carboniferous P ...
region of south west
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
.
[
] The
Rare Breeds Survival Trust
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is a conservation charity whose purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of the native farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) of the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1973 by Joe Henson to pres ...
has designated this breed as "at risk".
[
]
Characteristics
The Whiteface is a traditional hill sheep. It has been raised on the hills of Dartmoor, grazing
heather during the summer and the valley hay meadows during winter and spring. The majority of flocks still live and thrive on the moor to this day. Consequently, this breed is quite hardy and survives well on poor forage. Rams and ewes are horned but this trait seems to be disappearing in recent years.
Average fleece weight for a ewe is 6 kg (13 lbs) to 6.5 kg (14 lbs) and it is classified as a longwool, which is unusual for an upland breed.
It is raised primarily for
meat.
References
External links
The Whiteface Dartmoor Sheep Association
Sheep breeds
Sheep breeds originating in England
Animal breeds on the RBST Watchlist
Dartmoor
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