50 Best Sheep Breeds for Meat and Wool Production

Are you searching for the best sheep breeds for meat and wool production? Find here a list of the most popular and productive breeds of sheep for meat and wool production.

Practically, you can find numerous different types of sheep breeds throughout the globe. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are more than 1000 distinct sheep breeds. And all the breeds come in specific sizes, shapes, and nomenclature.

In selecting the right breed for your sheep farm, it is important to check the primary requirement first. First determine, whether you want to raise sheep for milk or meat, or wool. And accordingly, select the breed. Generally, you can use all the sheep breeds for dual purposes; that is meat and fiber. However, particularly some breeds excel in one aspect.

List of 50 Sheep Breeds for Milk, Meat & Meat

#1. Algerian Arab sheep

Basically, it is a popular domestic breed you can find in Algeria. This breed does grow carpet-grade wool and is raised primarily for meat.

#2. American Black Bellied/Barbados

It is a domestic sheep breed from the Caribbean island of Barbados. This breed is perfect for meat production primarily. You can find this breed widely in twenty-five countries in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

#3. Assaf sheep

Assaf sheep are also a domestic breed. Actually, the breed originated in Israel. Basically, it is a crossbreed of the Awassi and East Friesian sheep. The breed is perfect for dual-purpose milk and meat production.

#4. Awassi

The Awassi is the most numerous and widespread breed of sheep in southwest Asia. You can raise this breed for meat, milk, and wool production. It is an extremely hardy breed, well adapted over centuries of use to nomadic and more sedentary rural management.

#5. Berrichon du Cher

Basically, it is a domestic sheep breed from France. Mainly, you can raise this sheep breed for meat production.

#6. Bibrik Sheep Breeds

Basically, Bibrik is a domestic sheep breed that originated from Pakistan. Mainly, this breed is perfect for meat production.

#7. Bleu du Maine

Basically, it is a domestic sheep breed that originated in western France. Actually, it is a cross of a Bleu du Maine ewe with a Texel or Beltex ram.

#8. Blue-Faced Leicester

Primarily, you can raise the breed for meat production. Actually, it is a longwool sheep breed. This breed has Roman noses. And they have dark blue skin which can be seen through their white hair, hence the name.

#9. Charollais sheep

It is also a domestic sheep breed. And it originated in east-central France. The breed is perfect for producing market lambs from pure-bred ewes and mules.

#10. Cheviot

The Cheviot is a dual-purpose breed, being raised primarily for its wool and meat. The breed originated in the Cheviot Hills, on the border of England and Scotland.

#11. Columbia

Columbia is a domestic sheep breed. USDA and university research first developed this breed in the USA. They are popular for their heavy, white fleece and good growth characteristics.

#12. Corriedale

Actually, Corriedale is a dual-purpose domestic sheep breed from New Zealand. You can raise the breed for both wool and meat production.

#13. Damara sheep

Damara is also a domestic sheep breed that originated from Eastern Asia and Egypt. This breed can survive in a harsh environment and under poor nutritional conditions.

#14. Devon Closewool

This is a domestic sheep breed and originated from the Exmoor region of southwest England. Primarily, you can raise the breed for meat production.

#15. Dorper sheep

Basically, the Dorper sheep is a South African domestic breed. The sheep breed is perfect for meat production. Additionally, it is an easy-care animal that produces a short, light coat of wool

#16. Dorset

The Dorset sheep breed is a mix of Wale’s Horned Sheep and Spanish Merino sheep. Primarily, you can raise this breed for meat production.

#17. East Friesian

Basically, it is a domestic sheep breed from Germany. It is a dairy sheep breed and is raised mainly for milk production. In addition to that, you can use this breed as a cross for other sheep breeds for improving milk production in non-dairy sheep breeds.

#18. Gaddi Sheep Breeds

It is an Indian sheep breed and is popular for wool production. They are hardy animals, and they are well adapted to the cold climate of the Northern part of the country.

#19. Gotland

Gotland sheep breeds are truly dual-purpose breeds, being raised both for their excellent fleece and for their tender and tasty meat. Also, this is a domestic breed of sheep.

#20. Hampshire

Basically, Hampshire is a domestic sheep breed of the United Kingdom. Also, it is popular as Hampshire Down sheep. It is a meat sheep breed.

#21. Hebridean Sheep

This is also a popular sheep breed you can find on the islands off the western coast of Scotland. Hebridean sheep are mainly used for ornamental purposes. They are also very good for vegetation management.

#22. Herdwick

The wool quality of a Herdwick has unique qualities relating to durability. Also, it is a domestic sheep breed. Their wool is most suitable for carpet use.

#23. Jacob sheep

Basically, it is a unique breed in America. It is an unimproved breed. And it is popular for quality meat production.

#24. Katahdin Sheep

It is also a domestic sheep breed in the USA. Basically, you can raise Katahdin Sheep breeds for producing high-quality wool.

#25. Kerry Hill Sheep

Basically, it is a meat sheep breed. So you can raise this breed for meat production. Additionally, they are very hardy and strong animals.

#26. Lacaune sheep

Basically, it is a domestic sheep breed from France. Currently, there are about 800000 ewes available in France. Basically, farmers use this breed for milk production.

#27. Leicester Longwool Sheep

The breed is very docile and easy to handle. Additionally, this breed is a very good mother with exceptional longevity and milk production.

#28. Lincoln sheep

Lincoln longwool sheep breed originated from England. Basically, it is the largest sheep breed. The breed is popular for quality wool production.

#29. Mecheri

The Mecheri is an Indian sheep breed. Mecheri sheep are one of the recognized breeds of sheep in Tamil Nadu and are reared mainly for meat and the primary by-product is skin.

#30. Merino

The Merino is a popular domestic sheep breed. Merino sheep are wool sheep breeds. However, they are also good for meat production.

#31. Montadale Sheep Breeds

The Montadale sheep are medium-sized animals with a beautiful appearance and high productivity. They are dual-purpose animals. They are good for both meat and wool production.

#32. Najdi sheep

Basically, it is a domestic sheep breed from Saudi Arabia. Najdi sheep are multi-purpose animals. You can raise this breed for meat, milk, and also for wool production.

#33. Norwegian

The Old Norwegian Sheep is a small primitive type of sheep. The breed is inhabited by Norway and the rest of Scandinavia as well, including Iceland and Faeroes.

#34. Ouessant sheep

Basically, it is a domestic sheep breed and originated from the island of Ouessant off the coast of Brittany. The breed is popular for wool production.

#35. Oxford Sheep Breeds

Actually, it is a rare sheep breed. The breed is popular as the Oxford Down. It is popular for excellent meat production.

#36. Pelibuey sheep

Pelibuey sheep is a domestic breed. And it is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. Primarily, it is a meat sheep breed.

#37. Polypay

Basically, Polypay is a domestic sheep breed from the United States. Polypay sheep is a dual-purpose animal. You can raise this breed for both meat and wool production.

#38. Racka

Basically, Racka is a breed of domestic sheep from Hungary. Also, it is a multi-purpose animal. You can raise this breed for meat, milk, and also for wool production.

#39. Romanov sheep

Basically, it is a breed of domestic sheep from Russia. Mainly, you can raise this breed for meat production. They are very hardy and strong animals.

#40. Ryeland

Actually, it is a breed of domestic sheep from the United Kingdom. You can raise this breed for meat production.

#41. Shetland

Basically, it is a wool-producing breed. However, it is a dual-purpose breed. You can also raise this breed for meat production.

#42. Shropshire

Actually, it is a breed of domestic sheep that originated from the hills of Shropshire, and North Staffordshire, England. Also, it is a dual-purpose breed. You can raise this breed for both meat and wool production.

#43. Skudde

The Skudde sheep is a nordic breed of domestic sheep. It is actually from Germany, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Switzerland. You can raise this breed for landscape grazing, felting, and also for meat production.

#44. Soay sheep

Basically, it is a domestic breed of sheep. you can raise this breed for meat production. Generally, they are much smaller than modern domesticated sheep breeds.

#45. Shetland Sheep

The Shetland sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from Scotland. Actually, it is a small-sized wool-producing breed. However, you can also raise the breed meat production also.

#46. Southdown

Basically, it is a dual-purpose English sheep breed. The Southdown in Britain is recognized by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as a native breed, although today it is popular amongst the smaller scale breeders of sheep.

#47. Suffolk sheep

Actually, this breed was developed in England as the result of crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes. You can raise the breed for meat production.

#48. Teeswater

The Teeswater sheep is a rare breed of domestic sheep from the United Kingdom. Teeswater sheep are dual-purpose animals. They are good for both meat production and also for wool.

#49 Uda Sheep Breeds

Basically, it is a small to medium-sized animal. Actually, this breed is perfect for meat production. The breed can survive the high temperatures and aridity of the Sahel region.

#50. Van Rooy Sheep

Basically, it is a breed of domestic sheep from South Africa. Also, it is popular as Van Rooy White Persian, Van Rooy-Persie (Afrik), and White Persian. You can raise this breed for meat production.

Read: How To Start Meat Processing Plant Business

Apart from this list, you can find several sheep breeds throughout the world. However, you must select the breed according to your specific requirement and local market demand.