Mouflon Sheep Breed Information
Mouflon Sheep (Ovis orientalis orientalis) are thought to be one of two sheep breeds which are an ancestor for all domestic sheep breeds. Known for their dramatic wild appearance (they are sometimes compared to wild bighorn sheep), the Mouflon sheep breed has a reddish brown short hair coat with a light-colored saddle and dark brown stripes. The head of Mouflons is well-balanced and proportionate to their body and the breed standard says that Mouflon should hold their head high when on alert.
The horns of a Mouflon ram are balanced, striking and beautiful, curling one full revolution at maturity (most horns will measure 20-29 inches and exceptional racks of horns will measure 26-33 inches in length). The base of a Mouflon ram's horns may be 8 or more inches in circumference. All Mouflon rams are horned (those that do not grow horns cannot be registered) and some Mouflon ewes are horned while some are polled (meaning they never grow horns). Rams (and some ewes) develop a slight, noble-looking "roman nose" (a nose which is arched slightly when viewed from the side). Considered a hair sheep breed, the Mouflon in fact has two separate coats ... an exterior "hair coat" which sheds water and an insulating wool-type undercoat which keeps them warm during the winter and which the shed during warm weather.
The horns of a Mouflon ram are balanced, striking and beautiful, curling one full revolution at maturity (most horns will measure 20-29 inches and exceptional racks of horns will measure 26-33 inches in length). The base of a Mouflon ram's horns may be 8 or more inches in circumference. All Mouflon rams are horned (those that do not grow horns cannot be registered) and some Mouflon ewes are horned while some are polled (meaning they never grow horns). Rams (and some ewes) develop a slight, noble-looking "roman nose" (a nose which is arched slightly when viewed from the side). Considered a hair sheep breed, the Mouflon in fact has two separate coats ... an exterior "hair coat" which sheds water and an insulating wool-type undercoat which keeps them warm during the winter and which the shed during warm weather.
History of the Mouflon Sheep Breed
Mouflon sheep have historically inhabited mountain ranges and steep, forested hillsides. The modern Mouflon naturally inhabits northern and eastern Iraq, Iran and the Caucasus, though historically the breed could be found throughout the Balkans, the Crimean peninsula and on several islands in the Mediterranean.
On the island of Cyprus the Mouflon evolved, becoming a distinct sub-species which could only be found there (and of which only about 3,000 sheep can be found today). They are now considered rare on the islands of the Mediterranean.
The Mouflon breed was introduced to continental Europe and today's Mouflon is often imported and raised on North American game ranches as its dramatic, wild appearance and impressive rack of horns have helped to make Mouflon sheep hunting popular.
On the island of Cyprus the Mouflon evolved, becoming a distinct sub-species which could only be found there (and of which only about 3,000 sheep can be found today). They are now considered rare on the islands of the Mediterranean.
The Mouflon breed was introduced to continental Europe and today's Mouflon is often imported and raised on North American game ranches as its dramatic, wild appearance and impressive rack of horns have helped to make Mouflon sheep hunting popular.
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Mouflon Sheep Hunting
The Mouflon sheep breed is often imported to be used on North American game ranches, but purebred Mouflon are rarely hunted ... typically the breed is crossed with bighorn sheep and domestic sheep breeds in an effort to create more exotic, unique, and impressive trophy-rams for hunters. When you see a Mouflon's exotic coloration and impressive horns it's easy to see why this breed has found a role within this niche sheep industry.
Breed Standard: Average Size of Mouflon SheepDespite their impressive appearance (a credit to their stunning horns), the Mouflon is actually one of the smallest sheep breeds found in the wild:
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