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Sheep breeds are highly demanded in the areas where people have backyards or farms. It is indeed among the highly adored backyard fellows because of its advantages. It is a multi-purpose livestock that is raised for skin, meat, dairy and fiber. Truly, all the breeds of sheep can be used for dual-purpose; that is meat and fiber. However, particularly some breeds excel in one aspect. For example, there may be one kind of breed that tastes amazing; some type may be fantastic in providing with a good amount of milk. This also depends upon their growth cycle; therefore, you must choose the breed after clearly understanding the benefits of each types of breed.

10 most popular sheep breeds are:

1: Merino:

It is the sheep breed, which remains popular for its quality wool. It produces a premium quality fine sheep fleece, which is highly demanded all over the world. The hand-spun obtained from merino is used in making clothes for babies, shawls and other warm accessories. However, it cannot be used in daily wear. It is sensitive to handle, so only the experienced weavers tend to purchase this high quality wool. If you have it as your livestock, you can earn a lot.

Wool Sheep Breeds:

2: Leicester Long-wool Sheep

With the origin from Britain, these medium to large sized, curly hair sheep breed is known for its quality carcass. Not only this, but it is also valued for its skin by the weavers. It is considered as “rare” in many parts of the world – but, farmers are trying to form newer breeds out of this wool sheep breed because it is valuable for human use. Approximately, they are around 2000 in the world today.

Dual Purpose Sheep Breeds:

3: Lincoln Sheep:

This sheep breed remains popular worldwide and weights between 260 to 350 pounds. It is popular for its lovely and finest wool and fleece, which is demanded all over the world for weaving and designing.

Different Breeds Of Sheep (meat)

4: Dorset Sheep:

It belongs to the category of sheep that produces delicious meat. It is popular among the domestic sheep farming and can be found easily in major states of the US. The sheep has an amazing milk producing and meat giving ability – it even has a faster breeding ability. This is among the most popular white face sheep in the world and has a huge presence all over the globe. Suffolk sheep, however, retains the strongest position in terms of presence over the world.

5: Dorper Sheep

Belonging to arid climatic condition, this sheep breed has the ability to adjust to varying seasonal changes. It is highly popular in western regions. The body has a good combination of hair and wool and they vary from medium to large size. It produces delicious mutton, which sells like hot cakes in the market. The wool is even used by the weavers for producing clothes and other stuff.

6: Hampshire Sheep:

Known for its excellent and delicious mutton, this breeds of sheep has medium wool,dark faced and hornless breed. They are medium sized, quickly growing breed. This meat sheep breed is a result of cross culture, and that is the reason for its varying skin tone.

7: Suffolk Sheep Breed:

Those who are interested in having the best type of meat sheep breed must go for Suffolk sheep. They contain medium wool with black legs and face. This is among the largest rowing breed, which offers tasty mutton.

Hair Sheep Breeds:

8:American Black Bellied/Barbados :





These Types of sheep breeds are used for hunting, hair and beautiful horns. The meat is lean and lacks muttonly flavored as other wool breeds have that is good for people who dislike strong mutton smell. Some of the hair sheep breeds are obtained by mating the cross-cultural breeds like Jacob sheep, Merino and Rambouillet. Other popular hair breed includes:

Painted Desert sheep

Black Hawaiians

Texas Dallas

More information about this breed.

9: Jacob Sheep Breed:

With impressive horns, dotted monochrome body and face, this hair sheep breed remains popular for its beauty, skin and appeal. They lack the outer coat and have a thinner, fine fleece. They are highly used for hides and wool.

Dairy Sheep Breeds:

10: East Friesian:

This is the most productive and common sheep breed which is known for its quality milk in the world. On average, it produces around 990 to 1,100 pounds per 220 to 240-day.