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Hardy ~ prolific ~ thrifty ~ the hill breed with the finest British wool


Moorit Ram

The Shetland is a small, fine boned sheep belonging to the Northern Short-tailed group that has evolved in relative isolation in Shetland since the late 8th century. The high quality wool - the finest of any British breed, averaging 23 microns in diameter - is noted for fineness of crimp and resilience, forming the basis of the world renowned Shetland woollen industry.


White Ewe

Since 1985 the Shetland Sheep Breeders' Group, now the Shetland Sheep Society, has registered pure breed sheep from over 350 member flocks, in all colours and markings. The breed is now widely distributed throughout the U.K. Since 1996 the Shetland Sheep Society have operated a ''Scrapie resistant' scheme to distinguish Scrapie resistant rams for inclusion in breed, and national, sheep breeding programmes.


A typical 'fluke' tail on a Katmoget sheep

Rams are usually horned and ewes horn-less, though polled rams and ewes with short horns can occur. A highly character istic feature is a short fluke-shaped tail. Classified as a primitive breed, the Shetland retains the hardiness, ease of parturition, longevity and ability to thrive on a low intake of feed common among such groups. Hill sheep on Shetland average 25kgs. whilst in the south of England ewes may weigh 40kgs. and rams 65kgs. Fecundity is usually 140% on the islands, but can attain 200% on the mainland.


Moorit ewe with her Charollais cross twin lambs

As a pure breed the sheep produces very high quality lean meat with outstanding flavour and fine texture. When crossed with a suitable terminal sire the heavier, faster maturing lamb is readily acceptable at markets. The breed is mainly located in Shetland where the Shetland Flock Book Trust administers its welfare for island residents only.

Purebred Shetlands: