British Breeds of Sheep 133 



peaceful days in the latter part of the eighteenth 

 century. There is record of use of rams of Lincoln- 

 shire for improving the form and fattening qualities. 

 The wool-bearing qualities were the subject of atten- 

 tion in 1790 and the following years. It was at this 

 time that their present name came into use, having 

 previously been " long sheep," and such they were by 

 contrast with the short appearing bodies of the black- 

 faced sheep in adjoining territory. The improve- 

 ment by breeding mainly from within the stock itself 

 gave them a wide popularity, that was curtailed some- 

 what by a severe storm in 1860 that demonstrated 

 that the heath sheep were better able to withstand 

 extreme hardship in the most exposed sections. 



The type of body aimed at by breeders of Cheviots 

 is the same as desired in other breeds, and in the range 

 of weights it is comparable to the Shropshire. Some 

 very strong backs and heavy twists are found as well 

 as tendencies to light fronts and sharp shoulders. 

 The distinguishing characteristics are the shape and 

 expression of the head, the general contour as con- 

 tributed to largely by the fleece, and the tempera- 

 ment. The head is short and broad, the nose strong, 

 and the eyes usually prominent. It is always white, 

 except for black nostrils, and covered with short, 

 hard hair. The long wool coming up to the line of 

 the ears, which are pointed and active, helps to give an 

 appearance that is ixnusually attractive. 



The fleece is of true middle wool type, but of longer 



