Dorset

Sheep · Meat · 0 live listings

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.

At a glance

Purpose
Meat, some wool
Origin
Dorset, England
Mature weight
Ewes 150–200 lb
Lifespan
10–12 years
Temperament
Calm, good mothers
Best fit
Farm flocks, 4-H
Species
Sheep
Category
Livestock
Group
Meat
Also known as
Polled Dorset, Horned Dorset
Registries
Breed association, Scrapie program tag, NSIP (genetic evaluation)
Papers
5 categories
DocilityCalm and easy
HardinessAdaptable
Fleece workAnnual shearing
Beginner fitGood first flock

Scales follow breed-club and veterinary consensus; individual animals vary. Listings show what each seller has on file.

The tradeoffs, honestly

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.

Common questions

Can Dorsets really lamb out of season?

Yes. Dorset ewes cycle over a longer season than most breeds, so fall lambing or three lamb crops in two years is possible with good management.

What health tests should they have?

Ask for OPP, CL and Johne's results for the flock, and check that each sheep carries official scrapie ID. Codon 171 scrapie genotype (RR is resistant) is worth asking for on breeding rams.

Horned or Polled Dorset?

Both are registered by the Continental Dorset Club. Polled Dorsets are more common today and easier to handle. Ask for spider lamb test status on show lines.

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Health tests to ask for
Veterinary exam on fileScrapie genotypeOPP negativeJohne's negativeCL (caseous lymphadenitis) negativeCD&T currentDNA parentage verifiedOfficial scrapie ID recorded

Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.

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Dorset · Everybarn