206 THE RAMBOUILLET 



Description. Compared with other fine-wool breeds, the Ram- 

 bouillet is a big sheep, somewhat upstanding, strong in bone, and 

 distinctly robust in appearance. It bears evidence of mutton char- 

 acteristics in thickness of body and fullness of thighs. The sheep 

 with smooth bodies show more mutton than those tending toward 

 numerous folds in the skin ; in fact, many of the smooth Rambouillets 

 have almost as good backs as some*of the prominent mutton breeds. 

 Mature rams in full fleece, and in good breeding condition weigh 

 from 225 to 250 pounds, and ewes from 140 to 170 pounds. Show 

 specimens usually exceed these upper limits in weight, and it is not 

 uncommon for pregnant flock ewes to tip the beam at close to 200 

 pounds. Most of the rams have large spirally-turned horns, but 

 the ewes are hornless. 



In twelve months Rambouillet rams grow from 15 to 25 pounds 

 of wool, and ewes from 10 to 18 pounds, but exceptional individuals 

 often greatly exceed the upper limits given. The length of fleece 

 varies from one and one-half inches to three or even more. The 

 wool of the average Rambouillet is not as fine nor is it as even in 

 structure throughout the fleece as that of the American and Delaine 

 Merino. It is also more often open to criticism in color on account 

 of the deposition of gummy yellow yolk. 



Most Rambouillet breeders emphasize great extension of wool 

 over face and legs, a matter which has been carried too far for prac- 

 tical purposes. Many specimens being completely covered with wool 

 over the head and face are blind, and a blind sheep in a flock or 

 band is a nuisance because it is crazy. Extreme covering over the 

 legs collects mud and snow and hence is an inconvenience. It is 

 time for Rambouillet breeders to revise their notions a little on 

 head and leg covering. 



The color of hair on face, ears, and legs of the Rambouillet is 

 white, and the hoofs are also white. Either deep or light brown spots 

 sometimes appear on the lips, ears, and around the eyes, and occa- 

 sionally there are stripes of black in the hoofs. These small areas 

 of dark pigment in either the hair or hoofs do not amount to dis- 

 qualifications, but they are tolerated rather than desired. Soft, 

 silky-like hair is regarded favorably, but, taken as a whole, the Ram- 

 bouillet does not grow hair on face and legs as fine as does the 

 American Merino (Figs. 140 and 141). 



Type. No standard of excellence has ever been constructed for 

 the Rambouillet and, with respect to folds in the skin, the breed 



