CHAPTER XLI. 



JUDGING BREEDING SHEEP. 



IN the consideration of the form and function of the 

 sheep, up to this point but little reference has been made 

 to breeding animals. Within a certain breed or class, there 

 are many things in common among non-breeding and breed- 

 ing stock. However, the latter possess certain sexual char- 

 acteristics and features that are peculiar to breeding ani- 

 mals, and which breeders universally recognize as of vital 

 importance. Therefore, while judging breeding stock, it 

 is necessary to have these things in mind. Judges may 

 differ somewhat in their estimates of relative values, but 

 all will agree on the necessity of recognition of certain 

 features as requiring special emphasis in selecting or judg- 

 ing breeding animals. Each sex must receive special con- 

 sideration, for males and females cannot be consistently 

 judged in the same class. 



(A) JUDGING THE RAM. 



The sex character of the ram is of the first importance. 

 This is especially seen in the head, neck, withers, sexual 

 organs, fleece and general conformation. The head should 

 be comparatively large, short, strong and wide over the 

 nose, broad and full at the forehead, and in case of the 

 horned breeds, with large, strong horns of excellent quality. 

 One of the most distinctive features of the male is the thick- 

 ness of nose, with a slightly arched or Roman character. 

 Frequently slight wrinkles are found here ; in fact this is 

 a requisite character of the Merino male. This is not so 

 marked in the young males, becoming more and more ap- 

 parent with maturity. The ears of the males are also 

 larger and thicker than on females or non-breeding sheep. 

 The ram should carry his head in bold, upstanding fashion, 



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