Description

The Portland sheep is a heathland breed from the Dorset area and a representative of the tan-faced group of breeds from the South West. It is a small animal, the body is of a primitive type within the Down breeds, with good width between the legs. The tail is long and set well up on the rump. The legs are fine-boned with an even tan colour. The front legs and hind legs below the hock should be free from wool. The hooves should be uniformly dark, small and straight. The face is a tan colour but may have lighter areas around the eyes and muzzle. The nose is dark. Some sheep carry a light covering of wool on the forehead but the rest of the face is free from wool. Horns are light coloured; those of the ram are heavily spiralled; in ewes they curve through a half circle. There is often a black line in one or both of the horns. Lambs are born with a foxy-red coat which changes in the first few months to a creamy white. The wool is close and fine with a short staple though some red kemp fibres may be found on the britch. The breed produces exceptionally high quality meat, with fine texture and excellent flavour, but achieves lambing percentages of only about 100%. The Portland is capable of lambing out of season. Average mature ewe weighs 38-40kg.