Buyer question
Are Dorset sheep good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Dorset sheep 4 out of 5 for beginners (good first flock).
Source: the Dorset sheep page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Dorset sheep in the Animal Library
The detail
Dorsets come from southwest England and are a white-faced meat breed, horned or polled, known for lambing out of season. That lets a flock lamb in fall as well as spring, which is why Dorsets are common in commercial and 4-H flocks.
- Temperament
- Calm, good mothers
- Best fit
- Farm flocks, 4-H
- Docility
- 4 out of 5 (Calm and easy)
- Hardiness
- 4 out of 5 (Adaptable)
What to weigh
Dorset wool is short and dense, useful but not a spinner's favorite. Ewes that lamb twice in a year need good nutrition, and show lines can carry spider lamb syndrome.