ENGLISH LEICESTER LONGWOOL SHEEP

English Leicester Longwool Sheep

This breed was developed and 'improved' by Robert Bakewell in England during the eighteenth century. His goal was to produce a smaller, shorter sheep which fattened well at an earlier age, and had a superior fleece to other longwool breeds. Recently imported into the United Sates from the last remaining flocks in Tasmania, this extremely rare breed was once raised by George Washington and other early colonists. Our stock comes from the breeding program at Colonial Williamsburg. The breed standard is similar to that for the Cotswold. The English Leicester Longwool is a large framed animal with white fleece falling into distinctive ringlets, or curls. The fleece is long and heavy, with a spectacular luster. The fiber diameter and length is consistent, with deeply waved flat staples, with pointed tips. Fleeces range in weight from 11 to 15 pounds, with a fiber diameter of 40s-46s, and a staple length of at least 10", often longer. The sheep are polled, docile, hardy and thrifty, easy to manage, and quite beautiful. The worldwide population is under 2,000 animals, making their survival critical.

To see the List of English Leicester Longwool Lambs and Yearlings for Sale Click Here

Smoke Ham Rehnquist

Breeding group of English Leicester Longwools: ram Oskar on the left

Twin lambs, Jefferson and Freelove, born at Smoke Ham Farm 2-14-99, to Hoppy Acres
Kelly and Hopping Acres Marko

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ENGLISH LEICESTER SHEEP CLICK HERE

English Leicester Longwool ewes,
pregnant and in full fleece

English Leicester Longwool ewe (Kelly Druisilla) in a breeding paddock