Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Border Cheviot (Southern Cheviot)
The Border Cheviot is one of three distinct types of Cheviot sheep raised
in North America (see also Brecknock Hill, page 46, and North Country,
page 74). The medium Border type was improved by selection from the
original stock, rather than by crossbreeding, and is the predominant type of
Cheviot in the United States.
Cheviots started as a mountain breed, native to the Cheviot Hills between
Scotland and England. These sheep are extremely hardy and can withstand
harsh winters. They graze well over hilly pasture at high altitude. Though they
lack the herding instinct needed for open range, they do well in a small farm
fl ock.
They are active and high-strung, alert in both appearance and behavior.
They are good mothers despite their nervousness, with a high percentage of
twins, and their newborn lambs are hardy. Because of their small head size,
they experience few lambing diffi culties. They also raise good meat lambs.
These sheep are short and blocky and have no wool on their faces or legs.
They're recognizable by their black nostrils and lips and their erect, sharp
ears. They have a lightweight, medium-wool fl eece that is easy to handspin.
Border Leicester
The Border Leicester breed has a long and dignifi ed history. Developed in
1767 by the Cully brothers of Northumberland, England, the Border Leicester
was quite popular in England by the mid-1800s. This breed is thought to be a
cross of the Leicester Longwool (see page 70) and the Teeswater (see page 92),
though some folks believe that Cheviots were also crossed in.
Border Leicester ewes are prolifi c, good mothers and known for producing
rapidly growing market lambs. They are medium sized and known for their
docile disposition. With bare legs and an open face, they are easy to shear.
The Border Leicester is a white-wool breed, but there are beautiful colored
Border Leicesters, with locks that grow from 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm)
after 12 months. Fleeces yield between 65 and 80 percent and weigh any-
where from 8 to 12 pounds (3.6 to 5.4 kg). The numeric count of the fi ber
is 36 to 48. (See chapter 11 for more information on interpreting counts.)
Border Leicester wool dyes beautifully and has a mohairlike sheen.
