Columbia Encyclopedia

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sheep

(Encyclopedia)sheep, common name for many species of wild and domesticated ruminant mammals of the genus Ovis of the Bovidae, or cattle, family. The male is called a ram (if castrated it is a wether), the female is...

Dorset sheep

(Encyclopedia)Dorset sheep, medium-sized breed developed in England; the only major breed in which both rams and ewes are horned. It has been introduced into many areas of the United States, although it has failed ...

Dall sheep

(Encyclopedia)Dall sheep: see bighorn, in zoology. ...

Cotswold sheep

(Encyclopedia)Cotswold sheep, large, white-faced, hornless breed with a broad, flat back, moderately deep body, heavy fleece, and long, coarse wool hanging in ringlets. It was originated in the Cotswold Hills in En...

Columbia sheep

(Encyclopedia)Columbia sheep, medium-wool breed developed in the United States using Lincoln and Rambouillet sheep crosses. The breed was developed primarily for the Western ranges but is also used successfully in ...

Hampshire sheep

(Encyclopedia)Hampshire sheep, large sheep bred originally in Hampshire, England, by crossing Southdowns, Cotswolds, and other breeds. Hampshires are large in size and hornless, have black faces and legs, and are c...

Merino sheep

(Encyclopedia)Merino sheep mərēˈnō [key], breed intermediate in body size having fine wool, developed in Spain. These sheep are noted for their hardiness and their herding instincts and have been used as parent...

Oxford sheep

(Encyclopedia)Oxford sheep, relatively large-bodied, hornless breed developed in England using crosses between Hampshire and Cotswold sheep. The breed was selected for size and productivity. It has not had widespre...

Lincoln sheep

(Encyclopedia)Lincoln sheep, very large-bodied, white-faced, hornless breed having coarse wool, developed in England. It has made considerable contributions to the American sheep industry in the parentage of other ...

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