Dual Purpose Sheep BreedsEach of the dual purpose sheep breeds listed below can be raised and bred for meat and/or wool production. These dual purpose breeds of sheep are valued for their ability to produce high quality, valuable fleece while also possessing the size and rapid rate of growth valued for meat production. Many of these dual purpose breeds are an excellent choice for a beginner's 4-H project because they offer a well-rounded learning experience and teach kids about the process of harvesting healthy wool and the balanced nutrition required for a rapid rate of growth.
In the show ring an emphasis is placed on both the consistency of the fleece and conformation, structure, physical condition and adherence to breed standards. Judges will look for uniformity in crimp (waviness) and fiber diameter and preference is given to sheep with a lustrous healthy fleece. Unlike fine wool breeds, the judge's evaluation is often balanced - taking into account the sheep's size, muscle tone, conformation and adherence to the breed characteristics defined by the sheep breeder's organization particular to your dual purpose breed of sheep. Popular Dual Purpose Breeds of Sheep |
Dual Purpose Sheep Breed Directory |
Click on any of the photos below to learn more about each of these popular dual purpose sheep breeds (mouse over a photo for the name of that sheep breed):
Interested in Working With Wool? Read all About it HERE.
