80 



THE COTSWOLD. 



Cots wold Sheep derive their name from the hills of the same 

 name which extend over a considerable part of Gloucestershire and 

 into Oxfordshire, and it seems possible that the hills in turn 

 received their name from the " cotes "or shelters for the sheep on 

 the bleak " wolds " or hills. The great antiquity of the breed is 

 undoubted and it seems highly probable that it is one of the oldest 

 in the country. From Norman times there are records of sheep 

 in the country round Cirencester which were noted for their size 

 and for the weight and quality of their fleece ; from the 15th 

 century onwards there are records of the export of Cots wold 

 sheep and wool to the continent. About the end of the 18th 

 century, improved Leicester rams were used, and imparted to the 

 breed greater fineness of wool and bone, symmetry and compactness 

 of carcase, and early maturity. It was found, however, that too 

 free use of Leicesters tended to result in loss of hardiness, 

 prolificacy and weight of fleece, and it is stated in the Flock 

 Book that no Leicester blood was introduced later than 1830. 



Characteristics of the Breed. The Cotswold is sometimes claimed 

 to be the biggest breed of sheep in the country, but it probably has 

 to give way to the Lincoln in this respect. 



It is noted for its hardiness and adaptability, and while its native 

 habitat fits it for thin soils in a cold bleak district, it thrives better 

 than most breeds when folded on wet heavy land. The sheep can 

 be fed up to enormous weights, but, as in most Longwool breeds, the 

 mutton of the older, heavier sheep is fat and of inferior quality 

 though that of the lamo or young hogg is good. 



Average flocks clip about 8 to 10 Ibs of wool though higher 

 weights are recorded. The fibre is long and strong, neither close 

 nor too open, and slightly coarse in quality. In recent years more 

 attention has been paid to weight and quality of wool. 



The face of the Cotswold is strong, and the forehead is covered 

 by a large tuft of wool which, when of full length, ought to reach 

 almost to the nostrils. The colour of the face and legs is usually 

 white, but a few of the present day sheep have grey markings. 

 The head is carried well up, the carriage is bold and free, and 

 the breed is noted for breadth and straightness of back well carried 

 out to the rump (sometimes to an exaggerated extent) while the 

 springing of the ribs and fulness of the breast gives a capacious 

 chest. 



Value for Crossing. The Cotswold crosses remarkably well with 

 Down sheep, and this has indirectly led to its decline in numbers in 

 recent years. In its own country it has been largely replaced by 

 the Oxford which was originally formed by crossing Cotswold and 

 Hampshire Downs. With the modern demand for leaner mutton 

 the Oxford has ousted to a great extent its longwoolled progenitor, 

 and now practically all the pure bred flocks of Cotswolds ar< 

 maintained to provide rams for crossing purposes. They are chiefly 

 found in Gloucestershire but some old established flocks exist in thi 

 Eastern counties, where the sheep are in great favour for crossinj 

 with Suffolks. 



