Diversity

About West African Dwarfs SheepAbout West African Dwarfs Sheep



West African Dwarfs (also known as Djallonkes) are the dominant sheep breed from southwest to central Africa. They are found from Senegal to Chad, Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. They are well adapted to life in humid forested area, sub-humid areas and savannahs. They are primarily raised for meat.

West African Dwarfs are generally white or piebald, their front half is black and their back half is white. However, skewbald (tan on white) and blackbelly patterns are found, and the Kirdi type are specially selected to be entirely black.

The rams weigh approximately 37 kg (82 lb), have a well-developed throat ruff, and are usually horned. Their horns are wide at the base, curve backwards, outwards and then forwards again, with a maximum of one and a half coils. Ewes weigh about 25 kg (55 lb) and are usually polled (hornless), but may have slender short horns. Their ears are short and pendulous, their neck is long and slender, their chest is deep, their legs are short, their back is long and dished, and their tail reaches the hocks.

  On average, the ewes produce 1.15 to 1.50 lambs per lambing. They are highly tolerant of trypanosome.