Classification of Breeds of Sheep. 255 



THE OXFORD. 



The Oxford originated from a cross between the 

 Cots wold and the Hampshire. As a result of the 

 combination of the blood from these two large 

 breeds, the Oxford today is a big sheep, and the 

 length of its wool adds further to its large appear- 

 ance. A true type Oxford shows an abundance of 

 style and carriage. 



It is a large-framed, heavy-boned sheep. The 

 color of the face and legs varies considerably, some 

 being brown and others of a much darker color. 

 The same variation is evident with regard to the 

 amount of wool on the face and cheeks, some hav- 

 ing more wool on these parts than others. The 

 typical Oxford, however, has a heavy bunch of 

 wool standing out prominently on the forehead 

 between the eyes. Many have a little white spot 

 on the end of the nose. The head is large but not 

 coarse; broad over the poll with a much larger 

 ear than the Shropshire. The body is well propor- 

 tioned and carries out its width particularly well 

 at the rear. The wool is long and somewhat 

 coarse, and is often lacking in density. Some, 

 however, possess a shorter, finer, and denser fleece 

 than others. The size of this sheep and its heavy 

 shearing quality have made it popular in America. 

 Oxford rams have been extensively and success- 

 fully used for crossing on ordinary native and 

 western ewes to improve the size and wool pro- 

 duction. 



