The Blackface Sheep is a breed of domesticated sheep from Scotland. It is the most common breed of domestic sheep in the UK.
The breed is known by other names such as Kerry, Linton, black face tray, scottish mountain, Scottish black face, scottish horn and scottish highlands. The exact origin of this breed is unknown.
The Scottish Blackface sheep was developed on the Anglo-Scottish border, but it is unclear exactly when it became a separate breed.
This breed replaced the Scottish Gray sheep or Old Scottish Shorthair, a northern European short-tailed sheep probably similar to the modern Shetland sheep.
It is currently the most numerous breed in the British Isles and around 30% of all sheep in the UK are Scottish Blackface sheep.
This breed represents the mountain sheep. Several types of this breed have evolved over the years. But the most common type is the Perth variety, which has a tall stature and longer hair.
And the Perth variety is mainly found in North East Scotland, Cornwall, Devon and Northern Ireland. The breed was first introduced to the United States in June 1861.
Currently, the breed is grown mainly for meat production. Learn more about this breed below.
Characteristics of Scottish Blackface Sheep
The Blackface sheep is a medium to large sized animal with a very handsome appearance.
As the name suggests, the muzzle of these animals is black, sometimes with white markings. Their legs are black in color and relatively shorter.
Rams and ewes usually have horns and their horns are long and curved. They are tall with longer hair. Photos and information from Wikipedia.
Advantages
It is a breed of mutton. It is grown mainly for meat production.
Special Notes
Scottish Blackface sheep are quite hardy and strong animals. They are well adapted to the local climate. It is the most common and numerous breed in the British Isles.
Scottish Blackface sheep are excellent mothers. And they will often try to protect their lambs from predators.
Sheep are excellent milkers, capable of producing lamb and shearing wool even in marginal pastures. The breed is also good for wool production.
Currently, the Scottish Blackface sheep is found in the highlands and borders of Scotland, the Pennines, Dartmoor and Northern Ireland.
They were also exported to the United States, Italy and Argentina. However, check out the full profile of this breed in the following table.
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| Breed name | black scottish |
| another name | Also known by other names such as Kerry, Linton, Blackface Highland, Scottish Mountain, Scotch Blackface, Scotch Horn and Scottish Highland. |
| Purpose of the breed | Meat |
| Special Notes | Hardy and hardy, an excellent meat breed, well adapted to varied climates, the most numerous in the British Isles, the ewes are excellent mothers and excellent milkers, well suited to wool production. |
| Breed size | medium to large |
| horns | Yes, rams and horned sheep |
| climatic tolerance | All climatic conditions |
| Color | White |
| scarcity | general |
| Country/place of origin | Scotland |
