Perendale was developed in New Zealand during the 1950s at
Massey University to meet the needs of hill country farmers on developing
country. It is still a very popular breed in New Zealand. Developed from the
Cheviot and Romney, Perendale sheep are a dual-purpose sheep producing a 28-32
micron wool with a 125 mm (5 in) staple length.
Perendale sheep are very fertile and have great potential to
produce a prime lamb dam when crossed with a Merino. As a purebred, their
hardiness makes them ideally suited to colder, high rainfall areas. Perendales
are easy to care for; the ewes have little trouble lambing and are good
mothers.