Spaelsau, also known as Spael, sheep are from Norway. They
are named for their short, nearly wool-less tail (spaelen). They originate from
old Norwegian landrace sheep. In 1912, two breeding stations were established
to prevent their extinction. Icelandic sheep were crossed onto the Spaelsau
sheep through semen import in the 1960's and 1970's. Finnsheep and Faeroe
Island sheep were also used in the breeding of Spaelsau sheep.
Spaelsau sheep are most commonly white, but they are also
found in black, brown, grey, blue-grey and various forms of piebald. Most of
them are polled, with about 10% occurrence of horned in both sexes. Their wool
is double coated, with mean fiber diameter 31.5 micron of underwool and 57.1
micron of outer hair. Their wool is used for many different products and
woolskins and nappa leather are made out of the pelts.
About Spaelsau Sheep
