Spin-Off | Rare Wools from Rare Sheep, Part 1

Our original plan for this issue was to present a comprehensive overview of rare and endangered sheep breeds, as seen from the spinner's perspective. What we have space for is only an extremely abbreviated overview. We've had to concentrate on the information that people who want to participate in the Save the Sheep project most need to know in order to get started: which breeds are classified as rare or endangered, along with brief notes on the types of fleece they may provide.1

We've restricted this inventory to breeds in North America (listed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, or ALBC) and the United Kingdom (listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, or RBST), and we have not included the hair sheep.2

Data have been collated from many published sources. Wool is fluffy and sheep are individuals. Use the measurements as rough estimates.

This is a work in progress. If you know something about these sheep, we're collecting information. We'll include more articles on rare breed wool in upcoming issues. Stay tuned.

Finding fiber. Ask around. Check the ads in publications like Spin-Off, the newsletter of the ALBC, and The Ark (published by the RBST). Contact the breed society for the sheep you're interested in and ask for names of breeders.3 The societies' members are engaged in the humanitarian and economically marginal work of sheltering these animals. It may be appropriate to offer to pay communication costs or to make a small donation.

Balwen (Balwen Welsh Mountain) (U.K.). Listed by RBST as vulnerable.4 Balwen derives from a Welsh word meaning "white blaze." Sheep have a base color of black, dark brown, or dark gray, with white blazes on their faces, white feet, and half-white tails. Staple 2-3 inches (5-7 cm), diameter 40-50 microns, fleece weight 2 3/4-4 1/2 pounds (1.25-2.0 kg). The Secretary, Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep Society, Mr. Chris Lewis; www.balwensheepsociety.com; enquiries@balwensheepsociety.com.

Boreray (U.K.). Listed by RBST as feral. Also known as Boreray Blackface and Hebridean Blackface. Originated during the late nineteenth century on the island of Boreray, part of the St. Kilda group west of the Hebrides in Scotland. White, light tan, gray, or black fleece which is "shorter and finer than the modern Blackface tending to have the short kemps of primitive breeds. . . ."5 Staple 4-6 inches (10-15 cm), diameter 23-32 microns, fleece weight about 2 3/4 pounds (1.25 kg) . Registry maintained by RBST (address under Resources).

California Variegated Mutant/Romeldale (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as critical.6 Romeldales are the white individuals of this breed, developed in California in the early twentieth century. C.V.M.s have been cultivated as the colored strain. Wool is bright, uniform, and dense, with well-defined crimp from base to tip. Color patterns in C.V.M.s include dark grays, blacks, browns, moorits, and spotted as well as badger patterns. Individual sheep darken in color from birth through their first year. Staple 4-6 inches (10-15 cm), count 60s-62s or a little finer, fleece weight about 8 pounds (3.6 kg). CVM/Romeldale Registry, PO Box 630, Carnation, WA 98014, (206) 333-4934.

Castlemilk Moorit (U.K.). Listed by RBST as critical. Also known as Castlemilk Shetland or Moorit Shetland. Developed in early twentieth century in Scotland. Known for light red-brown, medium-crossbred wool. Castlemilk Moorit Sheep Society, Mr. J. Sanders, Creacombemoor Cottage, Rackenford, Nr. Tiverton, Devon EX16 8EW, phone 01884 881222.

Cotswold (U.S. and U.K.). Listed by ALBC as rare and by RBST as vulnerable. Originated in the Cotswold Hills in England; they may have been established by the time Caesar conquered Britain. Have been in the United States at least 165 years. Longwool. Staple 6-13 inches (15-33 cm), count 38s to 48s, described as somewhat finer and softer on average than Lincoln, fleece weight about 9-15 pounds (4-7 kg). See article in this issue. Cotswold breed societies are listed in the box on page 78.

Dartmoor see Greyface Dartmoor and White Face Dartmoor. Dartmoor Sheep Breeders Association, Mr. Wilson Mitchell, The Old Rectory, Clannaborough, Crediton EX17 6DA, phone 01363 84256.

Note on Dorsets. The Dorset (or Dorset Poll), Dorset Down, and Dorset Horn are three separate breeds; the latter two are classified as rare. Dorset Polls are very common-there are over 30,000 breeding females in the United Kingdom and it's the number-one white-faced breed in the United States. A quick guide to telling these three apart? The Dorset Horn provided the genetic material from which the Dorset Poll was selected, and both are white-faced sheep. The Dorset Down comes from different genetic sources and has brown face and feet.

Dorset Down (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk. Developed around 1800. Staple 2-3 inches (5-8 cm), count 56s-58s, fleece weight about 5-6 1/2 pounds (2.25-3 kg). Dorset Down Sheepbreeders Association, Mrs. June Pither, Greenway Farm, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3DD, phone 01823 432301.

Dorset Horn (U.S.). Listed by ALBC as on watch status. Origins subject to debate, but associated with parts of England and most of Wales. Down-type fleece is "remarkably white even before scouring,"7 strong, dense, and free from dark fiber. Staple 2.5-4 inches (6-10 cm), count 46s to 58s, diameter 33-27 microns, fleece weight from ewes about 5-9 pounds (2.25-4 kg). Continental Dorset Club (Dorset Poll and Dorset Horn), Marion A. Meno, Secretary, PO Box 506, Hudson, IA 50643, (319) 988-4122.

Galway (U.K.). Listed by RBST as endangered. Originated in western Ireland. Breed standard says fleece "should be white and moderately long, the fibre wavy and of fine texture, staple broad, closely set and free from tips. Fibre texture should be as uniform as possible throughout the fleece."8 Galway Sheep Breeders Society, Mr. Tom Sice, Boyhill, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland, phone 00 353 91 844162.

Greyface Dartmoor (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk. Originated in southwestern England. Native longwool breed with black or gray spots on nose. See breeders' society under Dartmoor.

Gulf Coast Native (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as critical. Also known as Florida Native or Louisiana Native (there are slight regional differences). Derived from stock which first arrived in Florida from Spain in the sixteenth century; suited to the natural range conditions of the Gulf Coast states. A group of Gulf Coast sheep was recently acquired by the Disney Animal Kingdom, because of their ability to tolerate the Florida climate. Wool quality varies. White is the predominant color, although some individuals carry brown or tan. Staple 2.5-4 inches (6-10 cm), count 48s to 58s, diameter 26-32 microns, fleece weight 4-6 pounds (1.8-2.7 kg). Gulf Coast Native Sheep Registry, c/o ALBC, address in Resources. Gulf Coast Sheep Breeders Association, Pat Piehota, Secretary/Registrar, Rt. 2, Box 43A, Snyder, OK 73566, (580) 569-2631, gcsba@juno.com.

Hebridean (U.K.). Listed by RBST as a minority breed. Also known as St. Kilda. Originated in the islands off the western coast of Scotland; once common throughout Scotland. Because of a tendency to browse, they are being used in ecological projects requiring control of brush and weeds. Black or dark brown fleece that may become gray with age. Staple 2-6 inches (5-15 cm), count 44s to 50s, fleece weight 3 1/3-5 pounds (1.5-2.25 kg). Hebridean Sheep Society, The Secretary, Eric Medway, Knox Mill, Harrogate HG3 2AE, phone 0705 003 9598, e-mail Heb.Soc@btinternet.com.

Hill Radnor (U.K.). Listed by RBST as vulnerable. Found in the hills of England. Does not shed before shearing, as some hill breeds do. Tan-colored faces and legs, with white wool. In 1911, they were described as producing "a good fleece of wool." Breed standard describes wool as "strong, firm, white and dense and of good staple. Free from kemp as possible, but is found to a varying extent. . . . " Another source notes that its "kempy nature makes it a favourite in the production of speciality Welsh woolen fabrics."9 Staple 3-5 1/2 inches (8-14 cm), count 48s-56s, fleece weight 4 1/2-5 1/2 pounds (2-2.5 kg). Hill Radnor Flock Book Society, Mr. John Lewis, 16 Ship Street, Brecon, Powys, Wales LD3 9AD, phone 01874 623200.

Hog Island (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as critical. About 200 years ago, a flock was established on a barrier island off the eastern shore of Virginia. Most of these sheep are white; 10 percent are black. Lambs may be born with spots which disappear as they mature. Gunston Hall Plantation, in Fairfax County, Virginia, exhibits most of the remaining Hog Island sheep as part of a replication of eighteenth-century plantation life. Medium wool, fleece weight 3.5-5 pounds (1.5-2.25 kg). Hog Island Sheep Registry, c/o ALBC, address in Resources, (919) 542-5704.

Jacob, American (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as rare. The American is considered close to the "old, unimproved" Jacob. Black, gray, brown, and white wool. The black wool is frequently shorter than the white. Staple 3-6 inches (8-15 cm), count 48s-56s, diameter 26-33 microns, fleece weight 3-6 pounds (1.3-2.7 kg). Jacob Sheep Conservancy, Joan Horak, Secretary, 1165 East Lucas Road, Allen, TX 75002, (972) 727-0900, e-mail FHorak@aol.com. Jacob Sheep Breeders Association, Lane Harris, PO Box 908, Floyd, VA 24091, (540) 651-3072, e-mail lharris@swva.net.

Karakul, American (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as rare. The American Karakul is distinguished in type from the large flocks of similar sheep found outside the U.S. Represents what is possibly the oldest breed of domesticated sheep, with origins in Central Asia. Wool comes in a variety of colors, including black, reddish brown, beige, gray, and white, and varies in quality. Black gene is dominant, and Karakuls were crossed into many spinners' flocks in the 1970s to produce colored wools. Many adults have a fine down undercoat and a coat of guard hair. Staple 6-12 inches (15-30 cm), count 50s or coarser, diameter 29 microns or more, low grease, little or no crimp, fleece weight 2 1/2-10 pounds (1-4.5 kg). American Karakul Sheep Registry, 3026 Thomas Road, Rice, WA 99167, e-mail aksr@plix.com.

Kerry Hill (U.K.). Listed by RBST as a minority breed. Welsh origins. First recognized as distinct breed in early nineteenth century. Dense white fleece classed as Down-type. A nineteenth-century agricultural survey called Kerries "the only species in North Wales which produces perfect wool." Staple 2 1/2-7 inches (6-18 cm) averaging 4 inches (10 cm), count 54s-56s, fleece weight about 6 pounds (2.25-3 kg). Kerry Hill Flock Book Society, Secretary, Pam Chilman, The Bramleys, Broadheath, Presteigne, Powys, Wales LD8 2HG, phone 01544 267353, fax 01544 267353.

Leicester Longwool (U.S. and U.K.). Listed by ALBC as rare and by RBST as endangered. Also known by several related names, most notably English Leicester. Established in 1700s. Produces large quantities of heavy, curly, soft-handling, lustrous wool. Flock established at Colonial Williamsburg. Staple 8-10 inches (20-25 cm), count 40s-46s, diameter 32-38 microns, fleece weight from ewes about 11-15 pounds, sometimes as much as 20 (5-6.8 kg, up to 9 kg). Leicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association, Elaine Shirley, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Coach and Livestock Department, PO Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776. The Leicester Longwool Sheepbreeders Association, Mr. Trevor Malkin, The Showground, Kelleythorpe, Driffield, East Yorkshire YO25 9DN, phone/fax 01377 257494.

Lincoln Longwool (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk. Established by 1700s. Heavy fleece falls in spiraled locks. Staple 8-15 inches (20-38 cm), count 36s-46s, diameter 33.5-41 microns, fleece weight 12-20 pounds (5.4-10 kg). National Lincoln Sheep Breeders' Association, c/o Roger Watkins, 1152 Co. Hwy. H, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572, (608) 437-5086. Lincoln Longwool Sheep Breeders Association, Mr. J. P. Skehel, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-do Lingo, Lincoln LN2 2NA, phone 01522 511395, fax 01522 511396.

Llanwenog (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk. Found in West Wales. Down-type wool. Staple 2-4 inches (5-10 cm), count 56s-58s, diameter 25-28 microns, fleece weight 4 1/2-5 1/2 pounds (2-2.5 kg). Llanwenog Sheep Society, Miss J. King, Waunias, Taliaris, Llandeilo, Dyfed, Wales SA19 7DF, phone 01558 685576.

Manx Loghtan (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk . May have been on the Isle of Man off the coast of Great Britain for 1,000 years. Most are brown-fleeced, although black and white have also occurred. "The Manx produces a very upmarket knitting wool and can also be used for quality worsteds. It is very soft and comfortable next to the skin. . . ."10 Staple 2 3/4-4 inches (7-10 cm), count 44s-54s, fleece weight 3 1/3-4 1/2 pounds (1.5-2 kg). Manx Loghtan Breeders Group, Mrs. S. J. Gotting, Dairy Barn, North Houghton, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6LF, phone 01264 810274.

Navajo-Churro (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as rare. Descended from the Churra, an ancient Spanish breed introduced to the American Southwest in the sixteenth century, where it evolved in adaptation to the environment. Nearly extinct in 1970s. Colors include white, grays, brown, red, and black. Double-coated. Staple for outer coat 4-14 inches (10-35 cm) and for inner coat 2-4 inches (5-10 cm), count for outer coat up to 36s and for inner coat about 62s, diameter for outer coat 38 microns and coarserand for inner coat 22-23 microns, fleece weight 4-7 pounds (1.8-3.2 kg). Navajo-Churro Sheep Association, PO Box 94, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549, e-mail churro@taos.newmex.com, website www.navajo-churrosheep.com.

Norfolk Horn (U.K.). Listed by RBST as endangered. Mentioned as early as 1610, nearly extinct in 1973. White fleece; lambs born with mottled coloration. Staple 2 3/4-4 inches (7-10 cm), count 54s-56s, fleece weight 3 1/3-4 1/2 pounds (1.5-2 kg). Norfolk Horn Breeders Group, Mrs. Kerry E. Long, Park Farm, Anmer, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RN, phone 01485 600824, fax 01485 600081.

North Ronaldsay (U.K.). Listed by RBST as vulnerable. Also known as Orkneys. Evolved on Orkney Islands, off Scotland, and lives on a diet of seaweed. Fleece can be black, brown, shades of gray, tan, or white (color appears to be carried in the hair portion of the double-coated fleece, and the undercoat is white or off-white; in true black fleeces, both hair and wool seem to be black).11 Staple 1 2/3-3 inches (4-8 cm), count 50s-56s, fleece weight 3 1/3-5 1/2 pounds (1.5-2.5 kg). Registry maintained by RBST (address under Resources). The North Ronaldsay Fellowship, Brian Cassie, The Hon. Sec., The Chimneys, Rugby Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4HW.

Oxford (U.S.) and Oxford Down (U.K.). Listed by ALBC as on watch status and by RBST as a minority breed. Breed stabilized in mid-nineteenth century. Variable fleece quality, Down-type. Staple 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm), count 46s-54s, diameter 30-34.5 microns, fleece weight 6 1/2-12 pounds (3-5.4 kg). American Oxford Sheep Association, Mary Blome, Secretary, 1960 E 2100 North Road, Stonington, IL 62567, (217) 325-3515. Oxford Down Sheep Breeders Association, J. Stephenson, 4 Brookfield, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 2EF, phone 01423 770736.

Portland (U.K.). Listed by RBST as vulnerable. Once common in Dorset. Lambs are reddish and lighten to white or gray. Staple 2 1/3-3 1/2 inches (6-9 cm), count 50s-56s, fleece weight 4 1/2-6 1/2 pounds (2-3 kg). Portland Sheep Breeders Group, Mrs. M. Jones, Hogchester Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Dorset DT6 6BY, phone 01297 561072.

Romeldale see California Variegated Mutant.

Ryeland Sheep Website: http://freespace.virgin.net/a.wood

Santa Cruz (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as critical. Origins in question; breed feral on Santa Cruz Island off California for seventy years. Twelve lambs relocated off island in 1988 and placed with five breeders to begin a population rebuilding. White, black, brown, and spotted wool. Fleece "fine to medium and very soft." Registry maintained by ALBC (address under Resources).

Shetland (U.S. and U.K.). Listed by ALBC as on watch status and by RBST as a minority breed. History goes back over 1,000 years. Widest range of colors of any breed; shades of white, moorit (red/brown), shaela (silver gray), fawn, dark gray, brown, and black, along with various patterns. Staple 2-5 inches (5-12 cm), count high 50s to lower 60s, fiber diameter 12-20 microns for inner wool and 30-40 microns for outer coat, fleece weight 2-4 pounds (1-1.8 kg). North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association, PO Box 842, Jamul, CA 91935-0842. Mr. Jim Johnson, Secretary, The Shetland Flock Book Society, Fairview, Vidlin, Shetland, phone 01806 577227. Shetland Sheep Breeders Group, Registration and Membership Secretary, Peter Hardman, Acre Cottage, Horsebridge, King's Somborne, Hampshire SO20 6PT, (+44) 1794-388-57, e-mail hdvq@huraix.hursley.ibm.com.

Shropshire (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk. Originated in central western England. Established by mid-nineteenth century; imported to North America shortly thereafter. Down-type. Staple 2.5-6 inches (6-15 cm), count 48s-60s, diameter 24.5-32.5 microns, fleece weight for ewes 4 1/2-10 pounds (2-4.5 kg), for rams 10-14 pounds (4.5-6.3 kg). The American Shropshire Registry Association, Dale E. Blackburn, Executive Secretary, PO Box 635, Harvard, IL 60033-0635, (815) 943-2034. Shropshire Sheep Breeders' Association, Fiona Bayliss, Coed-Y-Ceirw, Broad Oak, Carmarthen SA32 8QS, phone 01558 668622.

Soay (U.K.). Listed by RBST as vulnerable. Established in British Isles before arrival of Vikings and Romans. Most now found on St. Kilda group of islands, west of Scottish Hebrides. Fleece varies from light to dark brown; sheds naturally in summer. Double-coated, but can be difficult to discern a difference between the two coats. Staple 2-6 inches (5-15 cm), count 44s-50s, fleece weight 3-5 pounds (1.3-2.25 kg). Soay Breeders Group, Mr. David Bailey, Winchalltop, Macclesfield Forest, Cheshire SK11 0AR, phone 01260 252767.

Southdown (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk. Developed in England during late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Down-type. "Wool of this fine quality makes first class lightweight underwear. . . . "14 Staple 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6.3 cm), count 54s-60s, diameter 23.5-29 microns, fleece weight from ewes 3 1/3-8 pounds (1.5-3.6 kg). American Southdown Breeder's Association, HCR 13, Box 220, Fredonia, TX 76842, (915) 429-6226. The Southdown Sheep Society, Mr. C. Pritchard, Southdown Lodge, 300 Cople Road, Cardington, Bedford MK44 3SH. Phone 01234 838807.

Teeswater (U.K.). Listed by RBST as vulnerable. Found in northern England, Wales, and border region. History goes back over 200 years. "Fleece quality is important. . . . Each lock should hang free showing no tendency to matting. . . . no dark fibres . . . uniform in texture over the whole sheep."15 Staple 6-12 inches (15-30 cm), count 40s-48s, fleece weight 8-15 pounds (3.5-7 kg). Teeswater Sheep Breeders' Association, Mr. David Ward, 1 The Mount, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5JA, phone 01969 623432.

Tunis (U.S.). Unique to North America. Listed by ALBC as rare.. Also known as American Tunis. Evolved during late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. One of oldest breeds indigenous to U.S. Lambs are reddish or tan colored; wool gradually turns creamy white. Staple 3-6 inches (7.6-15 cm), count 56s-58s, diameter 24-30 microns, fleece weight 6-12 pounds (2.7-5.4 kg). See article in this issue. National Tunis Sheep Registry, Inc., Judy Harris, Clerk, 819 Lyons Street, Ludlow, MA 01056.

Wensleydale (U.K.). Listed by RBST as at risk. Found in England and Scotland. Established by 1876. Longwool. "Pure Wensleydale produces a very white fleece. . . . extremely lustrous and blends well with mohair. The coloured and highly lustrous wool from black Wensleydales is currently very . . . desirable."16 Staple 8-12 inches (20-30 cm), count 44s-48s, diameter may be as fine as 30 microns, fleece weight 8-15 pounds (3.5-7 kg). Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders' Association, Lt. Col. Frank Pedley, Old Hall, Hunton, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 1QJ, phone 01677 450579.

White Face Dartmoor (U.K.). Listed by RBST as a minority breed. Found on Dartmoor (England); "has been known to exist . . . since earliest records."17 Staple 6-8 inches (15-20 cm), count 36s-40s, fleece weight 12-15 pounds (5.5-7 kg). See breeders' society under Dartmoor.

Whitefaced Woodland (U.K.). Listed by RBST as endangered. Also known as Penistone. Originated in England. "The fleece is free from grey fibres and generally of a very high quality with few kempy fibres. . . . "18 Staple 4-6 inches (10-15 cm), count 50s-54s, fleece weight 4 1/2-6 1/2 pounds (2-3 kg). Whitefaced Woodland Breeders Group, Mrs. C. Muddiman, 2 Biddlesden, Brackley, Northamptonshire NN13 5TR, phone 01280 850677.

Additional resources are listed in the Save the Sheep guidelines.

We'll be explaining who classifies breeds and how they decide on status in an upcoming issue. Here's a simplified guide to the classifications referred to in this article.

ALBC
(American Livestock Breeds Conservancy)

critical: estimated fewer than 200 North American annual registrations and 2,000 global population

rare: estimated fewer than 1,000 North American annual registrations and 5,000 global population

watch status: estimated fewer than 2,500 North American annual registrations and 10,000 global population

RBST
(Rare Breeds Survival Trust)

critical: fewer than 300 breeding females

endangered: fewer than 500 breeding females

vulnerable: fewer than 900 breeding females

at risk: fewer than 1500 breeding females

minority breed: no longer on priority list but still in need of monitoring

feral: RBST gives feral (wild) populations their own category because they are harder to track and more difficult to conserve than traditionally managed breeds

Rare Wools from Rare Sheep

Part 1: A Focused Tour of Breeds and Fiber

by Deborah Robson

(Published in the Winter 1998 issue of Spin•Off on pages 54-60)