Gotland (sheep)

The Gotland, sometimes called the Gute, is a breed of domestic sheep originating on the the Swedish island of Gotland. They were thought to be the crossbreeding by the Vikings with Karakul sheep and Romanov sheep that were brought back from expeditions deep into Russia. They were then crossed with the native landrace sheep or Gute. The Vikings were not only known for their prowess as great seafarers but they were sheep farmers and took these animals on their voyages to provide meat and skins along the route. They also left animals behind to become wild and to provide them with meat and furs when and if they returned. This nomadic tendencies of the Vikings lead to the spread of Northern short-tailed sheep which cross bred and developed into related breeds such as Goth sheep, Icelandic, Finnsheep, Shetland, North Ronaldsay and Manx. Primitive horned Gotland sheep, also known as Gute, still exist on the island of Gotland today. Through controlled breeding and intensive selection in Sweden since the 1920s today's Gotland is a true multipurpose long wool sheep, yielding good flavored close-grained meat, furskins and soft silky lustrous fleece. Gotland sheep may also be found in Sweden, Britain, Denmark, New Zealand and Australia. In 2003 through the use of Artificial Insemination, Gotland Sheep are being established in the US through the American Gotland Sheep Society.

Breed characteristics

Gotland Sheep are fine-boned and of medium size. This makes them ideal in the hobby farm market as more people are able to manage them. Theya re also better suited to the meat market as they are not as small as some of the primitive breeds thus giving more meat and more fleece. Gotland Sheep are hornless (or polled) have clean black head and legs. Sometimes there may be white markings on the top of the head or around the nose and mouth. They have alert medium sized ears that stand outwards with a small neat muzzle with even jaw and teeth set squarely on the pad. Slender neck and shoulders set smoothly into a level back, good depth and reasonable breadth of body. Slender black legs well spaced and upright. Short hair tipped tail. Fleece is fine, long, lustrous and dense that goes from a silver to charcoal grey and occasionally black. They have a clearly defined even curl (purl) and staple, soft to the touch. Docile, friendly disposition. Fleece is typically 29 to 34 micrometres in diameter. Lambs wool is typically in the low to mid 20's micrometre range. Fleece is prized in the US by handspinners and in Europe they are most desired for their pelts.

References

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External links

* [http://www.gotlandsheep.com British Gotland Sheep Society]
* [http://www.americangotlandsheep.com American Gotland Sheep Society]