118 THE SHROPSHIRE 



Markings and Skin. Although a deep soft brown is the most 

 typical color for the hair on the nose, ears, and legs, considerable 

 variation exists and is permissible. Bluish or steel gray markings 

 are not objected to by many American breeders, as they are regarded 

 as indicative of robustness, easy feeding qualities, and pure white 

 fleeces. Rusty brown or faded out brown, particularly when asso- 

 ciated with very thin short hair*on the nose and ears, are undesir- 

 able shades of color, and spotted markings, characteristic of cross- 

 bred or grade down sheep, are undersirable to such extent that they 

 usually disqualify the animal. 



The skin of the typical Shropshire is a bright pink or cherry red. 

 No other group of breeders of dark-faced sheep has been so exacting 



FIG. 74. Shropshire ewe lambs, eight months old, bred by the University of Illinois. 



with respect to the color of skin as the Shropshire men. In spite 

 of this fact, however, bluish skins and pink skins with numerous 

 bluish spots are not uncommon. Pink skins are thought to indicate 

 easy feeding qualities and freedom from a tendency to grow dark 

 wool (Fig. 74). 



Horns or evidence of their presence are regarded as a disqualifica- 

 tion. They never appear in females, but in males their presence or 

 absence should always be determined by the examiner. 



Properties. The mutton of the Shropshire is of high quality, 

 being fine grained, firm, and of desirable color both in lean and fat. 

 Tne lambs when well finished and weighing about eighty pounds are 

 of especially high quality and rank with the best as lamb mutton. 



Hardiness and Feeding Qualities. In ability to withstand 

 hardship and disease the Shropshire is no hardier than most of 



