CHAPTER VI. 



HILL AND HEATH BREEDS. 



CHEVIOT. 



The Cheviot is a hill breed which originated in the hills of that 

 name on the borders of England and Scotland. Everything 

 points to the breed having long been established there, and a 

 tradition places them as one of the breeds which the Spanish 

 Armada contributed to these islands, but all these Armada tradi- 

 tions are of very doubtful credence. Still, the unimproved sheep 

 was very distinct from the neighbouring heath black-faced breed, 

 although the heath -type was undoubtedly there. How far the 

 soil and pasturage influenced the colouring cannot be answered, 

 but there is the instance of the black-faced, hornless Berkshire 

 Knott having been produced alongside the old Wiltshire white - 

 faced, horned breed. Originally a light-framed race, with short, 

 close wool, it was brought into its more modern type by crosses 

 with sheep from Lincolnshire ; though whether of the old Lincoln 

 breed or Bake well's Leicesters is a debatable point ; but Mr. 

 Robson, of Belford, and two others selected sheep in Lincolnshire 

 in 1756, and it is from crosses so derived that the present breed 

 sprang. A white, or practically white-faced breed, hornless, 

 with fine, clean wool, with mutton of good quality, a sound con- 

 stitution and much virility has been formed. Originating on hill 

 pasture of good, sweet herbage, the old stock has acquired a flesh- 

 forming disposition of considerable aptitude, and it thrives best 

 where the pasturage is full and good, though short, rather than 

 on the heathy hills, where the black-faced sheep prove so valuable. 

 Although the Cheviot Hills are the indigenous home of the breed, 

 it is found pure, and often improved, on hill land of good pasturage 

 over many parts of Scotland, even to Sutherlandshire ; in fact, 

 from the northern limits many of the sheep which prove so successful 

 in the showyard and carcase competitions are derived. The light 

 forequarters of the old breed have given way to a breed with a 

 very striking forequarter. It is very impressive on other breeds, 

 and the Cheviot character, once imparted, is permanently fixed. 

 The full woolling of the neck, forming a ruff or frill, is very dis- 

 tinctive ; it is noticeable in the Border Leicester, the Kentish 

 or Romney Marsh, the more recently recast Welsh Mountain, 



