The Shetland Breed
Shetlands are considered a primitive breed (unimproved) thereby retaining their natural hardiness, thriftiness, longevity and ability to thrive under conditions that modern breeds wound find intolerable.
They are endearing little sheep that are able to withstand and tolerate our frigid northern winters easily.
They are extremely hardy, enduring very cold, wet or snowy weather through to hot.
They generally are a calm, docile and easy to manage breed with delightful personalities, making them great for children as well as adults.
Adult rams range from 90-120lbs and ewes from 70-90lbs. Rams usually have spiral horns and most ewes are polled. They come in 11 colours, 30 different markings and 3 patterns.
Shetlands are very healthy; they are small and easy to handle, Tails are naturally short and fluke shaped. No docking required. They are thrifty thereby requiring much less feed than other breeds. The ewes are easy lambers and excellent mothers ... lambing problems are rare.
Shetland wool is one of the finest and softest of any British breed. It is soft yet strong and durable making it a delight to spin and knit.
Their meat is tender and mild tasting; they can be crossed with an early maturing terminal sire (Ryeland, Dorset, Bluefaced Lancester, etc) to produce heavier butcher lambs