Herdwicks Sheep are a sturdy, strong boned breed. The rams
in particular have a broad chest, noticeably thick-set legs and may have strong
horns, although as many as 20% are polled or have relatively small amounts of
horn growth. The female sheep are somewhat finer boned and should not have any
sign of horns. Purebred Herdwick lambs are born largely black often with tips
of white on their ears.As they age, the
heads and legs become white and the fleece assumes a color ranging from a slate
blue-grey to a light grey. Herdwick sheep are widely considered to be the
hardiest of all Britain's breeds of hill sheep. Probably 99 per cent of
Herdwick sheep are kept in commercial flocks in the central and western dales
of the Lake District. These fells run to over three thousand feet and facing
the westerly rain bearing winds they record the country's highest rainfall.
Content and Photo Source: National Sheep Association.
About Herdwicks Sheep
