BABYDOLL SHEEP INFORMATION

BRIEF HISTORY:
One of the oldest English breeds of sheep is the Southdown, from the South Down hills of Sussex County in England. The Southdowns were quite hardy and their carcass was considered tender and extremely flavorful. By the end of WWll there was a need for larger carcass size for increased cuts of meat and this resulted in near extinction for the original Southdowns. This same pattern repeated itself in America. Soon the sheep were bigger, leggier sheep like the Southdowns of today.

Fortunately, in 1986, Robert Mock started searching for miniature sheep after reading about them, finding them was another story. After 4 years of searching he found 2 small flocks! After some promoting and further searching Mr. Mock found additinal flocks and was able to increase the gene pool from various parts of the country. In order to maintain their identity from the bigger Southdowns, Mr. Mock called them Olde English "Babydoll" Southdowns and subsequently established the Olde English "Babydoll" Registry. Initially the registry only accepted sheep that were 2 years or older to establish the foundation flock.

Today Babydoll sheep continue to gain popularity by leaps and bounds. As shepards of these marvelous little creatures we are obligated to provide excellent care while remembering how close they came to extinction. My hope is that we all treat this wonderful breed with respect in order to maintain their breed and prevent problems in their future!

PURPOSE?
So what do these little sheep do? Well other than providing us with the ultimate means of maintaining our sanity, for all of us involved with them, they have many uses!
Pets: Babydoll sheep make wonderful pets because of their small size and docile temperments. Imagine the smiles they can bring to the elderly, disabled, children, and everyone in between.
Wool: In the same fiber class as cashmere! Micron counts reported between 19 and 22. Due to the barbs on babydoll wool it is great to blend with Angora or Mohair.
Organic weeders: Babydolls make great weeders for vineyards, berry farms, and orchards due to their small size. Without harming trunks and shrubs they provide double duty gardening, weeding and fertilizing as they wander.

BREED STANDARD:

HEAD: Wide and level between the ears with no sign of slug or dark poll in the white sheep.

FACE: Full, not to long from eyes to nose and of one even color.

EYES: Large, bright and prominent.

EARS: Medium size and covered with wool.

NECK: Wide at base and well set to the shoulder.

CARRIAGE: Corky legs, short, straight, set on the outside of body.

SHOULDERS:  Well set, at top level with the back.

CHEST: Wide and deep.

BACK: Level, with a wide flat loin.

RIBS: Thick through the heart with fore and hind flanks fully developed.

RUMP: Wide and long.

TAIL: Large and set almost level with chin.

LEGS: Full, well let down, with a deep wide twist (including thighs).

WOOL: Of fine texture, great density and of sufficient length of staple covering the whole body down to the hocks and knees and right up to the cheeks, with a foretop, but not around the eyes or across the bridge of the nose.

SIZE: Must be 24" or under shorn, measured straight up the front leg to the top of the shoulder. Lambing without difficutly is one of the qualities of the "Babydolls",therefore ewes under 18" are discouraged.

COLORS: All colors acceptable, white, black, dilute, and spotted.

*Information from the Robert Mock's Old English Babydoll Sheep registry Breed Standard which was taken directly from the Southdown Sheep Society in England.

REGISTRY INFORMATION:

Olde English "Babydoll" Southdown Sheep Registry
Robert Mock, Founder
P.O. Box 942
Rochester, WA 98579
360-273-7789

North American BABYDOLL Southdown Sheep Association & Registry
15603 173rd Ave.
Milo, IA 50166
641-942-6402