Name
Type of wool
Distribution
Characteristics
Comments
Black-Faced Highland, also called Scottish Blackface
Carpet
Originally Scotland, now also U.S., Italy, Argentina
Black or mottled, horned
Stylish appearance
Columbia
Medium
Developed U.S., since 1912
Large, white-faced, hornless
High wool yield; mutton acceptable
Corriedale
Medium
Developed N.Z., now also U.S., Australia
White-faced, hornless
Bright, soft fleece; good quality lambs
Cotswold
Long
Originally England, now also U.S.
Large, white-faced, hornless
Coarse, curly fleece; acceptable mutton
Dorset
Medium
Developed England, now U.K., U.S., Australia
Medium-sized, white-faced
Small wool yield; out-of-season lambs; horned and hornless varieties
Hampshire
Medium
Developed England, now also widespread in U.S.
Large, hornless, dark faces and legs
Superior mutton breed; limited wool
Karakul
Fur
Originally Central Asia, now also Africa, Europe, U.S.
Medium-sized, fat-tailed
Coats of very young lambs called Persian lamb
Leicester
Long
Originally England, now U.K. and North America
Massive body, white-faced, broad-backed
Heavy fleece
Lincoln
Long
Originally England, now also Australia, N.Z., North and South America
World’s largest sheep, hornless
Coarse, long wool is used chiefly for carpets
Merino
Fine
Originally Spain, now also Australia, North America, South Africa
Horned or hornless, heavily-wooled head
Excellent, fine, soft fleeces
North Country Cheviot
Medium
Originally Scotland, now widespread
White chalk; large, deep-bodied
Hardy; produces superior fleece
Rambouillet
Fine
Developed France from 18th century, now also U.S.
Smooth-bodied, horned or hornless
Lambs mature rapidly; bred from Merino
Romney
Long
Originally England, now also N.Z., North America, Australia
Hornless with white face and legs
Mostly raised for mutton; wool used for variety of products
Southdown
Medium
Originally England, now also N.Z., Australia, North America
Hornless with small, rounded body
Raised for mutton; fleece is short
Suffolk
Medium
Developed England, now also U.S.
Black face and legs, large, hornless
Fine mutton breed; acceptable wool