Karakul

Sheep · Heritage · 0 live listings

Karakuls are a fat-tailed sheep from Central Asia, bred for centuries on arid steppe. They grow a long, coarse double coat used for rugs and felt, and are hardy in dry climates where other breeds struggle.

At a glance

Purpose
Wool, pelts, meat
Origin
Central Asia
Mature weight
Ewes 100–150 lb
Lifespan
10–12 years
Temperament
Alert, independent
Best fit
Fiber artists, dry climates
Species
Sheep
Category
Livestock
Group
Heritage
Registries
Breed association, Scrapie program tag, NSIP (genetic evaluation)
Papers
5 categories
DocilityAlert, independent
HardinessThrives in dry climates
Fleece workCoarse double coat
Beginner fitRare, harder to source

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

The tradeoffs, honestly

Karakul wool is coarse and best for rugs and felting, not soft garments. American Karakuls are rare, so breeding stock is limited.

Common questions

What is Karakul wool used for?

Rugs, felt, tapestry and outerwear. The fleece is long and coarse, with lambs born in black, grey or brown curls that fade as they grow.

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.

Are Karakuls hard to find?

Yes. American Karakuls are on The Livestock Conservancy's priority list. Ask about pedigrees and relatedness before breeding.

Market, past 90 daysFull index →
Not enough sales yet for a median
Typical rangeNot enough sales yet for a rangeLive listings0
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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Karakul · Everybarn