76 . TYPES 



This development is known as sex character or sex type; in rams 

 it is called masculinity and in ewes femininity. 



Pronounced masculinity is indicated by boldness and ruggedness 

 of head features; strong, thick neck, massive development in the 

 fore quarters; a proud, stylish, active, and bold carriage which 

 suggests domineering disposition. In general, a ram with a truly 

 masculine head has a fairly large mouth ; big, round, well-expanded 

 nostrils; a pronounced spread of nose (commonly called the knob) 

 just above the nostrils if the animal is mature; wide-open, bright, 

 prominent eyes; and pronounced width between the eyes and ears. 

 The strongly masculine neck sets to the shoulder so that the head 

 can be carried well up. The neck is very thick at the junction with 

 the shoulders, so thick, in fact, that there is scarcely any depres- 

 sion between it and the shoulders. On the top of the neck just 

 behind the head there is usually a rise or prominence which really 

 appears more like a feature of the head than of the neck. Comment 

 on the massive de\-elopment in front is hardly necessary, but per- 

 haps it is well to call attention to the full, strong forearm which 

 should accompany the wide, deep chest, and the full, rounding, well- 

 extended brisket (Fig. 39). 



In order to have an active, bold, or fearless carriage, the ram 

 must have a deeply-muscled body supported by strong, well-placed 

 legs. When one touches a ram possessing outstanding masculinity, 

 there is the sensation of having in hand an individual with the 

 fibers and sinews of a giant. The study of such an animal is never 

 finished, for there is something present which defies accurate meas- 

 urement with the hand, and the whole make-up of the animal sug- 

 gests something which is beyond the estimate of the eye. 



No ram is really masculine if his sex organs are not well de- 

 veloped. Undersized testicles indicate sex weakness, and when they 

 are less than normal size the animal is usually lacking in strength 

 of features about the head. English shepherds often comment on a 

 ram having a deep bleat as a sheep with a real ram's voice. In the 

 breeds in which the males have horns, the development of horn 

 should be in harmony with the other features of strength about 

 the head. 



Importance of Masculinity. — Experienced breeders usually 

 select rams showing much masculinity because they believe such in- 

 dividuals will impart more vigor and transmit their characters to 

 their offspring in greater degree than rams that are weak in mas- 



