What are the breeds of sheep?

It is generally believed that sheep may have originated from four different wild species, namely, Moveland sheep inhabiting the Mediterranean coast, oriental sheep, Pan sheep and wild sheep distributed in central and southwestern Asia. After a long period of selection (animal) and elimination, the appearance and characteristics of wild sheep have changed a lot, and different breeds have appeared due to the differences in natural conditions and economic needs. Since the 18th century, varieties have developed particularly rapidly.

Fine wool sheep

Fine wool sheep are mainly raised for wool production, accounting for about 10% of the world's sheep breeds. The capillarity of the whole body is less than 25 microns, the number is not less than 60, and the hair length is more than 7 centimeters. It is an excellent raw material for the manufacture of fine textiles. Due to the different breeding objectives and local natural conditions in different countries, it can be divided into three types: wool, wool and meat and meat and wool (see Merino sheep).

Semi-fine wool sheep

Semi-fine wool sheep are mainly raised for meat production, accounting for about 33% of the world's sheep breeds. The whole body has a capillarity of 32 to 58 pieces and a length of 6 to 35 centimeters, which can be used in the manufacture of fine textiles, wool, overcoats, industrial fabrics and carpets. According to the length of the hair, it can be divided into two categories.

1. Middle wool species: the wool fiber is shorter and finer, the length is 6 cm to 15 cm, and the fineness is 46 to 58 branches. Native to the hilly areas of southern England, such as Nanqiu Sheep, Oxford Sheep, Hampshire Sheep, Suffolk Sheep, Sheropshire Sheep and Dorset Sheep, etc., such as Cowley Sheep and Polworth Sheep bred by the cross between fine wool sheep and long wool sheep.

2. Long hair species: the wool fiber is longer and thicker, the length is about 1235 cm, and the fineness is 3250. Lincoln Sheep, Leicester Sheep, Border region Leicester Sheep and Romney Sheep originally from England.

Coarse wool sheep

The wool fiber of coarse wool sheep is mixed with fine wool (fluff), coarse wool, two types of wool and dead wool, which can only be used to weave carpets, so it is also called "carpet wool sheep". It is widely distributed all over the world, accounting for about 48% of all sheep breeds. Mongolian sheep and Xizang sheep in China, Scottish black-faced sheep in Britain, and many local breeds in Africa and Asia all belong to it. Having large or short fat tails or fat buttocks, as well as small tails. Can adapt to barren grasslands and harsh climatic conditions. Generally, the meat has good performance, strong fattening ability and beautiful meat quality.

1. Fur sheep: the fur produced by fur sheep has the characteristics of good ear of hair, large skin, light leather board, beautiful finished product, strong and so on. Tan sheep in China is the best breed of fur production in the world.

2. Lambskin: lambs are usually slaughtered within 1 or 2 days after birth, with beautiful curls and patterns and rich luster. It is famous for its lambskin produced by Karakul sheep. China's lake lamb skin also enjoys a reputation in the international market.

3. Dairy sheep: dairy sheep are mainly used for milk production, such as the East Fry sheep in Germany, which can produce 8 to 1000 kilograms of goat milk in one lactation cycle.