BULLETIN OF THE 
No. 94 
Contribution from the Bureau of Animal Industry, A. D. Melvin, Chief. 
August 17, 1914. 
DOMESTIC BREEDS OF SHEEP IN AMERICA. 
By E. L. Shaw and L. L. Heller, 
Animal Husbandry Division. 
INTRODUCTION. 
All the domestic sheep in America have originated from importa- 
tions, most of which have been made from European countries since 
the beginning of the nineteenth century. These breeds have not 
yet been able to find themselves fully, and there are not the clearly 
denned areas devoted to certain classes such as are common in 
England; still there is a gradual tendency toward segregation. 
The fine wools are grazing upon the western ranges and to a lesser 
extent through the Ohio fine-wool region. They are undergoing 
some changes to improve the carcass and increase the length of wool; 
some foreign blood is being used to do it; nevertheless these sections 
may still be regarded as being fine wool in character. 
In Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, the spring-lamb region of 
America, the Southdown lambs are very popular. To a lesser extent 
some of the other mutton breeds are gradually gaining precedence. 
Through the central farming section of the country the medium- 
wool breeds have taken possession, the long wools largely yielding 
for a location more favorable to them in the North and Northwest, 
notably Canada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. 
It is not always possible to say that there is one best breed for 
any section. There may be two or three that would do equally as 
well, but it is undeniable that some breeds are far more suitable 
than others for a given location. All the breeds have their good 
qualities and most of them, if properly handled, will give good results 
in some section of America. The problem is to get the ones best 
adapted to particular conditions. Some breeds have a larger number 
of high-class individuals than others, but a truly successful breeder 
can improve any of them. 
Note. — This bulletin gives detailed information as to the origin, adaptability, distribution, distinguish- 
ing characteristics, etc., of the various domestic breeds of sheep. It is of especial interest to sheep breeders 
and to the sheep grower who is desirous of securing the best breed adapted to his particular locality. 
36158°— 14 1 
