Breed Standard
Standards of Excellence and Value of Points for Herdwick sheep:
HEAD (Points: 12)
Rams
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To be masculine in character, face of medium length, broad and full between the eyes muzzle strong, nostrils, wide open; strong jaw; ears of medium length, white and alert.
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Eye, prominent and bright.
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Face, jaws and top of head covered with strong, bristly hair and free from wool.
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Horns smooth and round, whitish in colour, low set, wide apart and rising well out of the back of the head.
Ewes
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To correspond, except that the head should show a distinctly feminine character and be entirely free from any sign of horns.
NECK (Points: 6)
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Medium length, rising well out of the top of the shoulder which should be well laid back and deep.
BODY (Points: 25)
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Ribs well sprung, well-filled behind the shoulder.
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Back broad and flat, strong loins.
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Hind quarters set squarely on good legs of mutton well fleshed to the hock.
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Breast deep and prominent.
LEGS (Points: 10)
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Fore legs straight and clean with big knees and springy fetlocks.
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Hind legs strong, flat boned, straight and well covered with strong, bristly hair free from wool.
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All four legs set well outside the body, and big white hoofs preferred.
TAIL (Points: 2)
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Thick, strong and full of muscle.
UNDERSIDE (Points: 5)
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Sheep when turned should have a deep chest and prominent breast bone.
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Broad across the belly and well covered with wool of a clear and white or blue colour.
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The hind legs should be straight and lie flat out on the ground.
COAT or WOOL (Points: 25)
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The coat should be heavy and dense with a good undercoat of fine wool of even colour and quality over the whole of the body, with a stronger ruffle or mane round the neck and top of the shoulder.
COLOUR (Points: 15)
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The face and legs should be a clear “hoar-frosted” colour on all sheep.
TOTAL POINTS: 100
OBJECTIONS:
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Black-spotted face or legs.
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Brown or Yellow colour in any part.
Source:
Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association (HSBA) 2015