Coloured Ryeland Sheep - Breed Characteristics

 

Head

Medium length, masculine in rams, with no trace of horn and face showing character, strength and constitution.

 

Face

Medium length and relatively free of wool, with mealy markings around the mouth and eyes acceptable. Larger areas of white marking may be present. White “tear-drop” markings on the inner corner of the eyes must be present and may be variable in size.

 

Ears

Medium size, carried slightly back (not heavy or hanging down), dark colour and may have mealy markings on the edge.

 

Neck

Strong, broad and set on so as to give the head a bridled appearance.

 

Shoulders

Smoothly and well set, no depression behind.

 

Chest

Broad and fairly deep

 

Back

Straight, level from base of neck to setting of tail, which should be broad.

 

Ribs

Well sprung, body well down forming a good bottom line.

 

Legs of Mutton

Full, well let down. Good length of hindquarter from hipbone to dock.

 

Legs and Feet

Legs below knees and hock straight. Compact feet firmly set.

 

Skin

Dark.

 

Flesh

Even and firm handling all over.

 

Carriage

Smart appearance when walking or standing. Head held high.

 

Fleece

To be good quality, stronger in rams than in ewes, deep in staple, thickly set on skin, handling firmly, free from coarseness and kemp and can be any natural colour or combination of colours (no colour or combination of colours to be preferable to any others). Quality to be equivalent to Bradford Count of 56’s - 58’s or finer.