Southdown sheep

Southdown
At the Great Yorkshire Show in 2011
Conservation status
Other namesSouth Down, Baby Doll, Babydoll
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Distributioninternational
Traits
Weight
Height
  • Male:
    67 cm[2]
  • Female:
    60 cm[2]
Wool colourwhite
Face colourmouse-grey[5]: 482 
Horn statuspolled[5]: 482 

The Southdown is a British breed of domestic sheep,[6]: 918 [2] the smallest of the British breeds.[7]: 23  It is a shortwool breed, and the basis of the whole Down group of breeds. It was originally bred by John Ellman of Glynde, near Lewes in East Sussex, in about 1800.[7]: 23  It has been exported to many countries; it has been of particular importance in New Zealand, where it was used in the breeding of Canterbury lamb. In the twenty-first century it is kept principally as a terminal sire.[8]: 282 

It is listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust among the UK native breeds; it was formerly listed as "priority" or "at risk".[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference barb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference dad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference rbst2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference sss was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference ryder was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference cabi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference dave was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference tomes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).