Miniature Southdown Sheep

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) classifies Southdown sheep as a “recovering” breed.

Small Southdown sheep originated on the south down hills of Sussex County England, making them a hardy and productive sheep. Southdowns are the oldest of all the down breeds of sheep. Sheep of this breed and type were among the first animal imports brought into the English Colonies as early as 1640.

The main characteristics that set Down breed fleeces apart from the fine wool breeds or the luster long wools are the crimp and the handle. Down breeds have a spiral crimp that is evident in each and every individual fiber. This crimping structure gives the fleece a crisp, springy handle. In addition, they will not wet felt well if they felt at all. This makes them excellent fleece choices for outerwear, socks, and any garments that will be machine-washed. Because this type of wool is so highly resilient, it also makes nice warm blankets, afghans and quilt batting.

The Southdown breed is one of the oldest of all purebred sheep in the world today. In the breed's long history, they have gone from small to large. The present day Miniature Southdown displays the "Old World" type and size.