Algarve Churro is a domesticated breed

Breed

A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...

 of sheep in Portugal

Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

. Although this breed does grow wool

Wool

Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....

, it is primarily riased for its meat.

Characteristics

Most of the Algarve Churro are white with black spots on the feet and head. However, about 10% of the population are completely black. Both sexes are horned.

Mature rams grow on average to 95 cm (37.4 in) at the withers and weigh 75 kg (165.3 lb). However, ewes grow to 85 cm (33.5 in) at the withers and weigh 55 kg (121.3 lb) at maturity.

History

This breed originated from Andalusian Churro which were imported in the late 19th century. The population of this breed has been decreasing. In 1996, there were greater than 23,000 and in 2004, there were greater than 1300.