Wensleydale (sheep)
Encyclopedia
The Wensleydale is a breed of domestic sheep
that originated in the Wensleydale
region of North Yorkshire
Possessing a blue–grey face, the breed was developed in the 19th century by crossing English Leicester
and Teeswater
sheep. One of the largest and heaviest of all sheep breeds, the Wensleydale has long, ringlet-like
locks of wool. It is categorized as "at risk" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
of the U.K. as it has fewer than 1500 registered breeding females, it is predominantly used today as a ram breed to cross with other breeds to obtain market lambs and for its high-quality wool.
The ears are slightly elongated and stand upright.
They are naturally poled and have a a tuft of long wool on top of the head which is not typically sheered (for aesthetic purposes). Wool from this breed is acknowledged as the finest lustre long wool in the world. The fleece from a purebred sheep is considered kemp
free and curled or purled on out to the end.
Rams weigh about 300 lbs and ewes about 250 lbs.
Average prolificacy: Yearling ewe - 200% Mature ewes - 250%
Twin lambs will average 13 pounds each at birth with a growth rate that enables ram lambs to reach 160 lbs. at 21 weeks.
Average lamb weight at 8 weeks: Singles - 57 lbs. Twins - 48 lbs.
Micron count 33-35 Staple length 8-12 inches Yearling Fleece Weight 13-20 pounds.
Today this breed is established throughout the United Kingdom and extends into mainland Europe, this breed is also being established in the United States of America.
Domestic sheep
Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...
that originated in the Wensleydale
Wensleydale
Wensleydale is the valley of the River Ure on the east side of the Pennines in North Yorkshire, England.Wensleydale lies in the Yorkshire Dales National Park – one of only a few valleys in the Dales not currently named after its principal river , but the older name, "Yoredale", can still be seen...
region of North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
Possessing a blue–grey face, the breed was developed in the 19th century by crossing English Leicester
English Leicester
English Leicester are an English breed of sheep. Alternate names for the breed include: Leicester, Bakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester, Improved Leicester, Leicester Longwool, and New Leicester...
and Teeswater
Teeswater (sheep)
The Teeswater is a breed of sheep from Teesdale, United Kingdom. It is a longwool breed of sheep, which produces a generally large-diameter fibre. The breed is raised primarily for meat....
sheep. One of the largest and heaviest of all sheep breeds, the Wensleydale has long, ringlet-like
Ringlet (haircut)
A ringlet is a type of hairstyle. It is achieved by wrapping a lock of hair around the length of a thin curling iron or can be sported naturally by people with sufficiently tightly curled hair...
locks of wool. It is categorized as "at risk" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
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 United Kingdom’s native farm animal genetic resources...
of the U.K. as it has fewer than 1500 registered breeding females, it is predominantly used today as a ram breed to cross with other breeds to obtain market lambs and for its high-quality wool.
Characteristics
The Wensleydale is a large long wool sheep with a distinctive grey black face, ears and legs.The ears are slightly elongated and stand upright.
They are naturally poled and have a a tuft of long wool on top of the head which is not typically sheered (for aesthetic purposes). Wool from this breed is acknowledged as the finest lustre long wool in the world. The fleece from a purebred sheep is considered kemp
Kemp (wool)
Kemp is generally a chalky-white, brittle, weak fibre which may be mixed with normal fibers in a sheep's wool fleece. Kemp fibres are often detached from the skin. This hair is not desirable in a fleece, as it does not accept dye, minimising both the quality and the value of the wool....
free and curled or purled on out to the end.
Rams weigh about 300 lbs and ewes about 250 lbs.
Average prolificacy: Yearling ewe - 200% Mature ewes - 250%
Twin lambs will average 13 pounds each at birth with a growth rate that enables ram lambs to reach 160 lbs. at 21 weeks.
Average lamb weight at 8 weeks: Singles - 57 lbs. Twins - 48 lbs.
Micron count 33-35 Staple length 8-12 inches Yearling Fleece Weight 13-20 pounds.
History
The mating of a Leicester ram with a Teeswater ewe in 1838 made the famous ram 'BLUE CAP' who was the first sire of the Wensleydale breed.Today this breed is established throughout the United Kingdom and extends into mainland Europe, this breed is also being established in the United States of America.