212 Animal Husbandry 
tend to droop. There is considerable resemblance between the 
Suffolk and the Hampshire, but, as a rule, the breeds can be dis- 
tinguished by the bareness of the Suffolk head, which is free from 
wool (Fig. 79). 
338. Dorset-Horn mutton sheep. — This breed originated in 
central and southern England, notably in the counties of Dorset, 
Somerset, and Wiltshire. In Eng- 
land the breed is often spoken of as 
Somerset. This is one of the oldest 
distinct breeds of sheep, no other 
breeds or race having mingled with 
it. The original stock was small, 
light in the shoulders, with white 
face and legs, but a flesh-colored 
nose. Both males and females have 
horns. The stock of Somerset was 
somewhat larger, coarser, and longer 
ji iE eee CE wooled than that of Dorset County. 
ton type. The general improvement of the 
breed as a whole was brought about 
by selection on the part of several breeders in western Dorsetshire. 
Perhaps the most noted of the early breeders was Richard Seymour 
of Bradpole, Dorset County. 
339. Dorset-Horn compared with Southdown. — The former 
is larger, longer bodied, and longer of leg than the latter. While 
the fleece of the Dorset somewhat resembles that of the South- 
down, the general features present a strong contrast. Among 
Dorsets both sexes have horns, those of the male being curved 
backward and around spirally; those of the female curved out- 
ward, downward, and forward. The face and legs are pure 
white. In length, quality, and quantity of fleece, the Dorset 
ranks intermediate between the Southdown and the Shropshire 
(Fig. 80). 
The Dorset-Horn breed is famous for its prolificacy, breeding 
