|
Cheviot
EFABIS Data
 |
International Name |
Cheviot
Sheep |
|
Local Name |
Cheviot |
|
Location |
Cheviot Hills, Scottish Borders |
|
Breeding females
(year) |
77.344 approx |
|
Trend of population size |
Static |
|
Flock book established |
1892 |
Origin – history
The cheviot
originates in the Cheviot hills in the Scottish Borders. There are
records of hardy sheep in this area as early as 1372. The Cheviot is
descended from these.
Breed description
Smaller than the
North Country Cheviot, the ewes have fine hard white hair on the
face and over the crown, as well as on the legs. The fleece is dense
and uncoloured. Rams can have horns
The breed is native and lives at altitudes up to 1,000 meters, with
little assistance in severe weather. It is noted for its hefting
instinct.
It is now found mainly on the Scottish Borders and has been exported
throughout the world. The breed is used for the production of meat
and wool. The hill lamb is late maturing, keeping both its fresh
lamb colour and its teeth through to the spring.
The ewes are hefted onto the hill, draft ewes being taken down the
hill every year, and ewe lambs added annually.
The Cheviot rams have been used extensively in Wales on the Welsh
ewes for the development of the Brecknock Cheviot and in the
Scottish / English Borders, Cheviot draft ewes crossed with the
Border Leicester produced the Bluefaced Leicester.
The main importance of the Cheviot is prime lamb production.
Due to its geographical location this breed was endangered in the
2001 FMD outbreak.The
Flock Book was established in 1892.
Conservation activities
Insitu
The breed society shows at the Mordun Institute, agricultural shows
and produces promotional literature. Breed contributes to the sense
of community through rural activities and crafts.
Exsitu
Cryopreservation of semen, NSP storage with 6416 doses
Contact:
The Cheviot Sheep Society, Secretary, Ms I J McVittie, Holm Cottage,
Langholme, DG13 0JP
Web site -
www.cheviotsheep.org
|
