DARTMOOR BREED 569 



The Dartmoor is the largest hill or moorland sheep in the 

 country. It has been bred in its native district (both sides 

 of Dartmoor) by the fathers and grandfathers of its oldest 

 present-day owners, and is a very old breed which, like many 

 of the Long-wools of the country, was improved, years ago by 

 a dash of Leicester blood. The size has increased and the 

 quality of both flesh and wool has gone up in recent years by 

 careful breeding and selection. The flocks winter on grass 

 and a little hay. Nothing but show sheep get corn or roots. 

 The ewes lamb about the end of February or beginning of 

 March. The Dartmoor winters are so long that few breeders 

 attempt to produce fat lamb, but the cast ewes go to little 

 farms more favourably situated, and, being exceptionally good 

 milkers and accustomed to rough it on the moors, produce 

 the best of fat lambs by Down or South Devon rams while 

 preparing themselves for the butcher. 



Dartmoor fat wethers are usually sold between one and a 

 half and two years old, and average about 20 Ibs., while some 

 run up to 24 Ibs. per quarter. 



The breed is preferably hornless, but now and then a ram 

 develops little backward-pointing horns about 2 inches long. 

 They are good travellers, big, long, and strong legged, long 

 and strong necked sheep, firm to touch, and well fleshed all 

 over, with good scrag and neck vein. The head is large and 

 well proportioned ; the ears a good medium size (not too 

 small, else the sheep will be small), well covered inside and 

 outside with hard hair showing dark spots, and set on 

 almost level, not flat but doubled in and placed so that an 

 observer can see inside as the animal looks at him. Dun 

 patches on the hair of the face are objected to, but black spots 

 of hair of the face growing on a black spotted skin deepening 

 towards a black muzzle, and also a few round the eyes, are 

 characteristic. The wool, often 15 inches long, beautifully 

 fine in quality and very strong when tested by breaking, is like 

 that of the Devon Long-wool in staple, but finer and more 

 even all over and more wavy or curly. It extends over the 

 pall and well down at the knees and hocks, and a little appears 

 on the hind legs. The skin underneath is a clear pink colour, 

 spoken of as "bright red." The usual average weight of 

 fleece is about 1 5 Ibs. for ewes in some of the best flocks, like 

 that of H. J. Kingwell, Great Aisle, South Brent, Devonshire, 



