Southdown sheep

Southdown
At the Great Yorkshire Show in 2011
Conservation status
  • FAO (2007): not at risk: 148 
  • DAD-IS (2021): at risk
  • RBST (2021): not at risk
Other namesSouth Down, Baby Doll, Babydoll
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Distributioninternational
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    78–90 kg
  • Female:
    59–68 kg
Height
  • Male:
    67 cm
  • Female:
    60 cm
Wool colourwhite
Face colourmouse-grey: 482 
Horn statuspolled: 482 

The Southdown is a British breed of domestic sheep,: 918  the smallest of the British breeds.: 23  It is a shortwool breed, and the basis of the whole Down group of breeds. It was originally bred by John Ellman of Glynde, near Lewes in East Sussex, in about 1800.: 23  It has been exported to many countries; it has been of particular importance in New Zealand, where it was used in the breeding of Canterbury lamb. In the twenty-first century it is kept principally as a terminal sire.: 282 

It is listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust among the UK native breeds; it was formerly listed as "priority" or "at risk".

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