The Breed
THE SOUTHDOWN SHEEP SOCIETY
DESCRIPTION & BREED CHARACTERISTICS
A good Southdown should catch the eye with its alertness and balanced appearance, displaying the following characteristics:
| Head and face | Wide, level between the ears with no sign of horn. Not too long from eyes to nose, particularly rams. Hair of an even mouse colour. Eyes large and bright and clear of wool. Ears of medium size and covered with short wool. Nose dark, not pink. |
| Neck and shoulders | Neck wide at the base and well set on the shoulder. Shoulders neither too wide nor too narrow and top level with the back. |
| Legs and feet | A leg at each corner, straight and well up on the pasterns. Neither cow-hocked, nor knock-kneed. Horn of hoof black. |
| Chest and ribs | Deep over the heart, but not too wide. Ribs well sprung. |
| Back and rump | Long, wide and level, evenly fleshed and firm to handle. Rump not pointed. |
| Tail | Broad and well set up and level with chine. |
| Gigots | Wide, deep and well filled |
| Wool and skin | Wool fine and dense and of even colour, not black, covering the whole body down to the hocks and knees. Skin pink. |
HISTORY
The Southdown sheep has roamed the Sussex Downlands from time immemorial. Around 200 years ago, John Ellman of Glynde, near Lewes, in Sussex commenced a radical improvement of the breed by selection within the breed - no outcrossing. His work was continued by Jonas Webb of Babraham in Cambridgeshire, who developed a somewhat larger animal which was used in the creation of the other Down breeds.
The peak of the Southdown's popularity was from about 1790 to the 1914-18 War. During this time they were to be found on many of the large estates in flocks of 1000 or over, as well as being in the possession of yeoman farmers.
Although it had been exported to many parts of the world, probably it had its greatest impact in New Zealand, where it was the sire used in the production of the "Canterbury Lamb", a position it held for many decades.
The Southdown of today has returned to a larger more active sheep, partly due to the reintroduction of New Zealand and French blood.
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BREED
The Southdown bred pure will produce a fast growing prime lamb in record time. Crossed on any breed of ewe the resulting lamb will have a carcass of fine conformation and high grade if marketed correctly. Southdowns excel if mated to ewe lambs of any breed in a slightly smaller active lamb demanding less from its dam.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Average Prolificacy: | 150 % |
| Birthweight - | Singles 4.00 kg. |
| Twins 3.75 kg. | |
| Carcass weight - | Prime lamb 12 - 18 kg. |
| Adult bodyweight - | Ewe 59 - 68 kg. (130 - 150 lbs.) |
| Ram 90 kg. (200 lbs.) | |
| Fleece weight greasy: | Ewes 2.0 - 3.5 kg. (4.5 - 8 lbs.) |
| Rams 3.5 - 5.5 kg. (7.0 to 12 lbs.) | |
| Staple length: 4 - 6 cm. | Quality 56's - 60's |
OUTSTANDING QUALITIES
Its greatest quality is to pass on its superb conformation to its offspring.
The ability to thrive and maintain its flesh when many other breeds would
starve.
The inherited tolerance to close confinement in fold or shed, it being docile
and easy to handle. Ideal sheep for small or large flocks.
National Scrapie Plan
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Material Copyright © 2002 The Southdown Sheep Society.