14 BULLETIN 593, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
BREEDING SHEEP. 
Breed type—While all breeds have the general form and char- 
acters of the type in which they are classed, all pure-bred sheep 
possess certain distinguishing features which are inherent in the 
breed and which receive the attention of breeders. These breed 
characters may have little value in themselves, yet they are a mark 
of breeding and give assurance that the animals will breed true to 
type. Included in such breed characteristics are such points as size, 
color markings, presence or absence of horns, and peculiarity of shape. 
These differences make it essential for the different breeds to have 
different score cards or standards of excellence which give consid- 
eration to these points. If one is selecting pure-bred sheep for breed- 
ing purposes, he must know the breed type as represented by the 
standards of excellence for the breed.t 
Sex character.—Whether one is breeding pure-bred sheep or is en- 
gaged in grading up a common flock, in the selection of breeding 
stock he should consider the qualities the market demands for wool 
and mutton. In addition to the application of market and breed | 
standards, stock intended for breeding should be considered from 
the point,of view of prepotency in transmitting their good features 
and prolificacy in reproduction. These qualities are indicated by 
what is known as sex character. 
The ewe.—To be a long-lived, regular, and prepotent breeder the 
ewe must have a strong constitution and show a strong maternal 
nature and present a feminine appearance. The ewe should have 
finer features about the head and a more slender neck than the ram. 
She should have plenty of room for the growth of the developing 
fetus. To provide well for early maturing lambs, she should give 
an abundance of milk. Breeding ewes should never be excessively | 
fat, as they are so often in the show ring. 
The ranv—The ram should be pure bred and show breed character 
and quality in strong form, because it is largely through him that 
improvement is secured for the flock. To be prepotent, the ram also 
must show a good deal of sex character; that is, there should be no 
doubt at first glance that he is a ram. He should have greater size 
than the ewe and a decidedly masculine appearance, indicated by a 
general burliness of the head, with a thickness of neck giving a 
suggestion of massiveness. He should have every indication of bold- 
ness, vim, and vigor as denoted by a brisk movement and a bold, 
energetic look through a bright, clear eye. A breeding ram should 
not be excessively fat, yet he should at all times be kept in good 
condition. ! 
1 Score cards for the leading breeds may be obtained from the secretaries of the breed 
associations listed in Farmers’ Bulletin 576, Breeds of Sheep for the Farm. 
