BREED CHARACTERISTICS 



405 



a medium wool breed. The fleece is short, however, and 

 lacking in yolk. 



The breed is hornless, the head broad, the ears rather small 

 and neatly set, the eyes bright, the muzzle large and the 

 nostrils open. The neck is short and compact, the shoulders 

 smooth, and the crops full. The body of the animal is very 

 nearly ideal from the mutton standpoint, it having the 

 desired length, width, squareness and fulness of body, back 



FIG. 174. Southdown ram. 



and loin. The leg of mutton is well developed, having 

 quality and compactness. The constitution is quite well 

 developed as indicated by the rather large muzzle and 

 nostril and the broad, deep chest. The legs are of medium 

 length, the bone of medium size and fine quality. The con- 

 formation of the Southdown meets the demands of the 

 butcher in compactness and quality. The breed lacks size, 

 however, and may be criticised somewhat from this stand- 

 point, as well as having a light fleece. 



