Buyer question
Are Dorper sheep good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Dorper sheep 4 out of 5 for beginners (easy-care meat).
Source: the Dorper sheep page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Dorper sheep in the Animal Library
The detail
Dorpers were developed in South Africa by crossing Dorset Horn with Blackhead Persian sheep. They are hardy, fast-growing hair sheep that shed their coat, so there is no shearing, which makes them popular for meat flocks.
- Temperament
- Calm, hardy
- Best fit
- Meat flocks, low input
- Docility
- 4 out of 5 (Calm)
- Hardiness
- 4 out of 5 (Heat and dry hardy)
What to weigh
Some Dorpers do not shed cleanly and may need occasional shearing. They are less parasite-resistant than Katahdins in wet climates.