The
Dartmoor is classified as Lustre and Longwool sheep. It is a medium-sized, (approximately
60kg) hornless, deep-bodied, short-legged, with a well-woolled head and legs.
The white face should be mottled or spotted with black or gray with matching
feet. A wool clip of 7-9 kg can be expected, with a higher yield (up to 15 kg)
from a mature ram. Staple length is 25-20 cms with a Bradford count of 36-40.
The wool is used in the manufacture of blankets as well as tweeds, woolen cloth
and carpets.
Also known as the Improved Dartmoor, this sheep is a native of the West Country, in particular Devon. It is descended from local breeds which grazed the low ground around Dartmoor. It is also widely accepted that the breed is a descendant of the native Heath Sheep (Cornish Sheep) of the 17th century which in turn is known to be linked to the Bronze Age Soay type.
The Dartmoor has an immense constitution developed to withstand the severe winters which exist around the moor. Groups of Dartmoor sheep have remained buried under drifts of snow for days and yet emerged unharmed. Dartmoor ewes are very prolific, bringing about 70% of twins. Being heavy milkers, they are used for crossing with almost every known terminal sire for prime lambs. Lambs reach a dead weight of 20-22 kg in 16 weeks.
In 1909, the
Greyface Dartmoor Breeders Association was formed in order to promote and
develop the breed. All sheep are marked by studding, ear tags being used,
bearing, in the case of the ewes, the owner's flock number, preceded by the
letters DM and the year of birth and in the case of rams the letters DM with
the registered number allotted by the Association. A flock book containing
the registrations and other information connected with the breed is published
annually. An annual inspection of all lambs take place to ensure that only
true-to-type and fully representational animals of the breed are accepted
into the Flock Book.
Rare Breed Status Currently at Category 4 on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's list of endangered breeds.
Characteristics of the Greyface Dartmoor: It eats less and produces more wool than any other sheep for its body weight. It is the only medium-sized luster wool sheep in the British Isles The demand for Dartmoor wool is increasing - figures from the Wool Board support this. It is an extremely hardy sheep, developed to withstand harsh winters. Crossed with a terminal sire it produces a commercial lamb. A pure Dartmoor gives a lean carcass.
Registries and Organizations
Reference:
Lynne Jackson, Ty Capel Flock number 738, Babell, Holywell, Flinthire, North Wales
Photographs:
British Sheep Breeds (poster), British Wool Marketing Board, Oak Mills, Station Rd., Clayton, Bradford.
Frank Armstrong
