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SHETLAND SHEEP

The history of the Shetland sheep has been a subject of much debate. One theory is that Shetlands are the descendants of sheep brought to the islands by the Vikings, more than 1,000 years ago. Another theory is that Shetlands are descendants of indigenous sheep that pre-dated the Vikings. For many centuries, northern and western European sheep were small, short-tailed, and variable in color. Those sheep were gradually displaced by larger, faster growing, and uniformly white sheep, which provided a greater economic return. By the early 20th century the Shetland breed was said to be threatened by crossbreeding with the larger sheep.


Only two importations of Shetlands to North America have occurred. In 1948, the Flett family brought four sheep to Canada. The main importation of Shetlands happened in 1980, when Colonel G.D. Dailley imported four rams and 28 ewes into Ontario, Canada. Those sheep were kept in quarantine, but after five years, their offspring were allowed to leave the farm. In 1986, Tut and Linda Doane brought the first Shetlands to the United States.

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Shetlands are the smallest of the British sheep breeds with rams weighing from 90-125 pounds and ewes from 75-100 pounds. Rams are known for their spiraled horns, while ewes are typically polled. Polled rams and horned ewes can also be found. Shetlands have a dished face, and good width between the ears, which are medium sized and carried above the horizontal. Shetlands eyes are bright and expressive. The characteristic fluke-shaped tail, which is rarely longer than six inches, is a distinctive Shetland trait.

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Shetlands come in 11 different colors and have 30 distinct marking patterns. Colors range from white, to greys to black and from light to dark brown. Some of the colors retain their traditional names such as emsket, a blue-grey, and mioget, a yellowish-brown. Patterns have names such as blettet (white spots on nose and head), and sokket (legs of a different color than the body).

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While known for their fine wool, fleece type and length has in recent years become a topic of debate among Shetland breeders. Some feel that the true Shetland wool type features a double coat. Others feel that the true Shetland is a single coated animal with a shorter, finer fleece. Single-coated Shetlands typically have soft, downy wool, with a lot of crimp. The staple is about two to four inches. Double-coated Shetlands have fleece ranging from six to as much as 10 inches. The outer coat is more hair-like, while the undercoat is soft. The outer coat serves as a protective layer against harsh weather. A third type of fleece, known as intermediate is now the most common type. Length ranges from four to six inches.


For centuries on the islands, wool from Shetland sheep was used for everything from lace shawls, to undergarments, to socks and heavy sweaters. It was, and still is, possible to find several different types of wool on individual sheep. Efforts to make Shetland wool more mass marketable have resulted in animals with a more uniform fleece, which is usually single coated with a medium length.


With their wide range of colors and fleece types, excellent meat, small size, resistance to disease and ability to take good care of themselves, Shetlands are an ideal breed for many farms, and are, in recent years, one of the fastest growing breeds in North America.

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Source: "Small Farmers Journal"; Shetland Sheep - A Breed Worth Saving; Issue 42-2; Whitney, Faye.

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