128 JUDGING SHEEP 



183. Value of Breed Type. The type of the breed 

 having been decided upon by all the breeders, it should 

 be the aim of the judge to recognize it, for aside from 

 an acknowledgment of the wishes of the breeders it is a 

 point of direct value to do so. When a breed has been 

 bred uniformly to a type for many years the type has 

 become so fixed that it is uniformly transmitted. Two 

 of the most powerful factors aiding the fixing of the type 

 of a breed are the breeders seeking to produce the animal 

 of ideal type as represented by the scale of points and 

 the judges conforming to it in the show ring. The re- 

 sult is influential in regard to breeding, as it assists in 

 making the breed prepotent or able to transmit its char- 

 acteristics with a greater degree of certainty. Another 

 feature associated with the fixing of the breed type by 

 the assistance of the breeder and the judge is the fact 

 that it then becomes possible to select breeding stock 

 from among the pure breeds with special reference to 

 their adaptability for a definite environment. Knowing 

 the environment that has assisted in producing a type of 

 any breed of sheep and knowing that a certain type has 

 become the fixed property of that breed, it is possible to 

 make an intelligent choice of a breed for any environ- 

 ment. It is this adaptability for different environments 

 that has given us over twenty-five different breeds of 

 sheep, and as it is the possession of these peculiarities 

 which unite in what is called breed type that gives each a 

 place. Consequently it is important that the breeder 

 should try to retain the type and in this secure the co- 

 operation of the judge. 



184. The Ram. Aside from the breed type which is 

 outlined in the scales of points that are given elsewhere, 

 the ram in type should show masculinity in many fea- 

 tures. In those breeds that have horns, the latter should 

 spring strong from the head and turn free from the face. 



