Manx Loaghtan (sheep)

The Manx Loaghtan is a breed of sheep ("Ovis aries") native to the Isle of Man. It is sometimes spelled as "Loaghtyn" or "Loghtan". It is characterized by a dark brown wool and usually having four or occasionally six horns [ [http://www.manxloaghtan.com/ Manx Loaghtan website] ] .

The Manx Loaghtan is descended from the primitive sheep once found throughout Scotland and the Hebrides and Shetland Islands. The word Loaghtan comes from the Manx words "lugh dhoan" which means mouse-brown and describes the colour of the sheep [ [http://www.manxloaghtan.com/ Manx Loaghtan website] ] .

It is categorised as 'at risk' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, as there are less than 1500 registered breeding females in the UK. [http://www.rbst.org.uk/watch-list/sheep/manxloaghtan.php Manx Loaghtan at Rare Breeds Survival Trust watch list] accessed 8 June 2008]

Appearance

It is small, with no wool on the face or legs. The face and the legs are a dark brown colour. Manx Loaghtan are horned with four horns being preferred but individuals are also found with two or six horns. The horns are generally small on the ewes but are larger and stronger on the males.

Loaghtan is farmed as a delicacy on the Isle of Man, with only two principal farms producing the meat. The wool is prized by craft weavers as it is soft and has a rich brown colour.

There is a large flock of the sheep on the Calf of Man and access to the island was closed to protect them during the 2001 UK Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic. The disease never reached the island which continued exports of the meat to the Continent of Europe.

ee also

*List of sheep breeds
*Castlemilk Moorit (sheep)

References