Examples of curly-haired sheep breeds include Balmoral, Black Welsh, Blue-Faced Leicester, Cheviot, and Icelandic Sheep.
There are a variety of sheep breeds that sport curly hair, and each has its own unique characteristics. From the diminutive Shetland to the massive Icelandic, these wooly creatures come in all shapes and sizes.
But what they all have in common is a lustrous coat of curls that can be used for everything from making yarn to coats. Read on to learn more about some of the most popular curly-haired sheep breeds.
Examples of Curly Haired Sheep Breeds
1. Balmoral
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Southern Ireland |
The Balmoral is a southern Ireland breed that is named for the royal family’s estate in Aberdeenshire. These sheep are known for their long, curly fleece, which often reaches down to their hooves. The wool is very soft and has a high yield, making it a popular choice for spinning and knitting.
2. Barbados Blackbelly Sheep
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | island of Barbados |
The Barbados Blackbelly is a sheep breed that originated in the Caribbean island of Barbados. These sheep are much larger than the Shetland, with ewes weighing in at around 200 pounds and rams at 350 pounds. Their fleece is also coarser, making it less desirable for hand spinning but perfect for use in carpeting and upholstery.
3. Black Welsh
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Whales |
The Black Welsh is a sheep breed that originated in Wales. These sheep are black with thick, curly fleece. Their wool is very soft and is often used for knitting. The Black Welsh are a hardy breed and are able to tolerate cold weather conditions. They are also known for their good grazing habits and for producing high-quality meat.
4. Blue-Faced Leicester
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | near Hexham in the county of Northumberland, England |
The Blue-faced Leicester is a British sheep breed that was developed in the 18th century. These sheep are large, with ewes weighing in at around 250 pounds and rams at 350 pounds. Their fleece is fine and soft, making it ideal for use in garments.
The sheep are also known for their blue faces and legs, which is a result of a genetic mutation.
5. Cheviot
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Scotland and Northumberland, England |
The Cheviot is a British sheep breed that’s closely related to the Shetland. These larger sheep weigh in at around 200 pounds for ewes and 350 pounds for rams. Their fleece is thick and course, making it ideal for use in carpets and other heavy-duty fabric applications.
The Cheviot was first introduced to North America in the early 1800s and quickly became one of the most popular sheep breeds on the continent. Today, they’re still widely used for both meat and wool production.
6. Corriedale
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | New Zealand |
The Corriedale is a dual-purpose sheep breed that was developed in New Zealand. These sheep are known for their thick, curly fleece, which is prized by fiber artists around the world. Corriedales are also good meat producers, and their carcasses weigh in at around 80 pounds.
The Corriedale is a cross between the Border Leicester and the Merino, and was developed to produce a hardy sheep that could withstand the harsh conditions of New Zealand’s South Island. These sheep are now found in many parts of the world, including Australia, South America, and the United States.
7. Devon
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Exmoor in North Devon, in south-west England |
The Devon is a sheep breed that originated in the county of Devon, England. These sheep are relatively large, with ewes weighing in at around 200 pounds and rams at 300 pounds. They have a long, curly fleece that is prized by hand spinners for its softness and drape.
The Devon is a sheep breed that originated in the county of Devon, England. These sheep are relatively large, with ewes weighing in at around 200 pounds and rams at 300 pounds. They have a long, curly fleece that is prized by hand spinners for its softness and drape.
8. Falkland
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Falkland Islands |
The Falkland is a sheep breed that was developed on the Falkland Islands, which are located in the South Atlantic Ocean. These sheep are one of the largest breeds, with ewes weighing in at around 300 pounds and rams at 400 pounds. They have a thick, curly fleece that is well-suited for cold weather climates.
9. Gotland
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Swedish island of Gotland |
The Gotland is a small, hardy breed of sheep that originates from the Swedish island of Gotland. These sheep are known for their long, lustrous coats of curly hair, which can be either white or moorit (a dark brownish-red color). The fleece of the Gotland is highly prized by fiber artists and is often used to make yarn, felted products, and even fabric.
10. Icelandic Sheep
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Iceland |
Icelandic sheep are descendants of the Viking sheep that were brought to Iceland over 1,000 years ago. They’re a large breed, with ewes averaging around 250 pounds and rams topping out at 350 pounds. Their wool is very thick and heavy, and it’s often used for making sweaters, blankets, and other winter wear.
11. Jacob
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the U.K. and North America |
The Jacob is a British breed that is easily recognizable thanks to its multi-colored fleece. Jacobs are medium-sized sheep, with ewes weighing around 150 pounds and rams at 200 pounds. Their wool is very lustrous and crimpy, making it ideal for spinning into yarn.
Their wool is very lustrous and crimpy, making it ideal for spinning into yarn. The fleece is also popular for making felt. Jacobs are considered a heritage breed, and are listed as “critical” by the American Livestock Conservancy.
12. Masham
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | northern England |
The Masham is a medium-sized breed of sheep that comes from the Yorkshire Dales in England. These sheep are mostly black and white, with some animals having a brownish tint to their fleece. The hair of the Masham is curly and lustrous and is often used to make yarn and other textiles.
The Masham is a hardy breed of sheep that is well-adapted to cold climates. They are known for their strong maternal instincts, and the ewes often produce large litters of lambs. The meat from the Masham is considered to be very tasty, and the wool is highly sought after for its quality.
13. Merino
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Spain |
The Merino is one of the most popular sheep breeds in the world. prized for its soft, fine wool, it is used in a wide variety of products including clothing, blankets, and even bedding.
The merino sheep is a domesticated subspecies of the wild mouflon. It is thought to have originated in Spain, but has been widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia. The breed was introduced into Australia in the early 19th century and quickly became the dominant sheep breed there.
14. Norwegian
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Norway |
This breed is also known as the Northern short-tailed sheep and is thought to be one of the oldest in existence. They are small animals, with both rams and ewes weighing no more than 125 pounds. Their curly coats can be black, brown, or moorit (a reddish-brown color), and they are often used for crossbreeding due to their docile nature.
15. Shetland
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland |
As its name suggests, the Shetland sheep are native to the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland. These hardy little creatures are well-suited to their harsh environment, and their thick coats keep them warm even in frigid temperatures. Shetlands are one of the smallest sheep breeds, with ewes weighing in at around 100 pounds and rams at 150 pounds. Their fleece is highly sought-after by hand spinners and weavers, as it’s very fine and soft.
16. Suffolk
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | England |
The Suffolk is a large, British breed that was developed in the county of Suffolk. They are known for their thick, curly fleece, which makes them a popular choice for fiber production.
The Suffolk is a dual-purpose breed, meaning they are also used for meat production. The breed is docile and easy to handle, making them a good choice for farmers and homesteaders.
The Suffolk was developed in the late 19th century by crossing two existing breeds of sheep, the Southdown and the Hampshire. The goal was to create a sheep that would excel in both meat and wool production. The Suffolk quickly became a popular breed, and by the early 20th century, they were the most popular sheep in Britain.
17. Swaledale
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | northern counties of England on the Pennines |
This North Yorkshire breed is known for its thick, curly fleece, which is often used to make blankets and rugs. Swaledale’s are a small breed, averaging only about 55 pounds at maturity. This North Yorkshire breed is known for its thick, curly fleece, which is often used to make blankets and rugs. Swaledale’s are a small breed, averaging only about 55 pounds at maturity.
18. Teeswater
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Teesdale, England |
The Teeswater is a British breed of sheep that is prized for its fine, lustrous fleece. The wool from a Teeswater sheep can be used to make yarn that is soft, durable, and water-resistant. These sheep are mostly white but may have patches of black or brown hair.
The Teeswater sheep is named for the River Tees in England, where the breed was first developed. These sheep were once common in the area, but their numbers have dwindled in recent years.
19. Texel
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | The Netherlands |
The Texel is a large, wool-rich breed of sheep that is popular for its meat. The fleece of the Texel is curly and coarse and is often used for carpeting, insulation, and other heavy-duty applications. The breed is also known for its high-quality meat, which is prized by chefs and consumers alike.
Texels are a hardy breed that can thrive in a variety of climates. They are well-suited to both cold and warm environments, and they can produce a high-quality fleece even in harsh conditions.
20. Wensleydale
| Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North Yorkshire, England |
The Wensleydale is a British breed of sheep that is named for the Wensleydale Valley in North Yorkshire. These sheep are mostly white, with some animals having a light brown or gray fleece. The hair of the Wensleydale is short and curly and is often used to make yarn, fabric, and other textiles.
Conclusion
Sheep are a domesticated animal that has been used for wool production for centuries. There are many different breeds of sheep, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the more well-known breeds include the Romney, Cheviot, and Icelandic sheep.
While all sheep produce wool, the amount and quality of wool varies from breed to breed. The fleece of a Romney sheep, for example, is typically thick and lustrous, while the fleece of a Cheviot sheep is thinner and coarser.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.