Current
day breed description
The Leicester Longwool is a large, polled and attractive sheep.
There are now two permitted colours, White and Black. The breed
characteristics are the same for both colours; the only difference
is that each colour has a separate “Flock Book”.
The Black Leicester was admitted to registration in 1986. Since
then they have become very popular with smaller breeders and
those interested in wool.
Mature rams can weigh 150 kg and a mature ewe up to 100kg. The
high quality lustrous fleece, demonstrates evenness in length
and diameter and has a Bradford count of 40-46 with a staple
of around 40cm on an unshorn shearling, less on an adult sheep
after re-growth from shearing. The length of staple does vary
depending on the area that it lives in; sheep further north
tend to have longer wool. The total weight on average is 12
– 18lb, but weights have been recorded up to 33 lbs.
The head is bold and strong on a short thick neck. The crown
is well covered with wool, and the face covered in white (black)
hair. The ears are blue (on white sheep), fine and fairly long
with occasional spots. The muzzle strong with even jaws, and
nostril dark in colour. The body is deep and of considerable
length with full flanks. The back is broad and level, the ribs
being well sprung. The legs are of medium length with good bone,
well set up on the pasterns on dark feet. The legs are covered
in white (black) hair, the back legs usually being covered in
wool.
| BREED
STANDARD FOR JUDGING |
| GENERAL |
A Leicester sheep should be active
and of good carriage showing type and breed character
in a marked degree. Over-fat and sluggish sheep are very
undesirable and should be severely penalised by judges. |
| HEAD |
Bold and strong on a short thick
neck. Crown well covered with wool, face covered with
white (black) hair, without any trace of grey or sand
colouring. Ears blue, fine and fairly long with occasional
black spots. Muzzle strong with even jaws, nostrils dark
and eyes bright and alert. |
| BODY |
Deep and of considerable length with
full flanks. Back and shoulders level, wide and well covered
with firm flesh. Ribs well sprung. Tail thick and well
up. Legs of mutton wealthy with flesh coming well down
to the hocks. |
| LEGS |
Squarely set of medium length and
good bone. Well-set up pasterns on neat dark feet. Legs
covered with short white (black) hairs or wool from hocks
downwards, free from any grey or sand coloured hairs. |
| FLEECE |
Dense, long and silky wool of fine
lustre with even texture and quality from head to tail,
well curled and of moderate lock. Black wool on a white
animal is undesirable. |
Undesirable characteristics
The following characteristics are considered undesirable for
sheep forward for showing, however consideration should be
given for breeding sheep if the particular problem is not
serious.
- Pigeon toes
- Dropped pasterns, especially the hind, the sheep should
stand well up
- Scurs, although occasionally present in males, they should
not be prominent and in any case should not be attached
as a horn but should “wiggle”
- Inturned eyelids
- Docking should be to legal standards
Registration of sheep
Any black sheep born in a registered white flock (after 1986)
are eligible for registration in the black flock book appendix.
No white sheep produced in a black flock may be registered
in the white flock book, but can be registered in the black
flock book. Subsequent progeny will be eligible for registration
in the black flock book.
The crossing of white sheep with black sheep is only permissible
in black registered flocks. White rams from this cross MUST
NOT be used for breeding purposes.
No black ram should be used on white registered females.
Fleece
The fleece of a Leicester Longwool should be dense, long,
and silky with a fine lustre and even texture, the average
rate of growth can be just over three centimetres per month.
It should hang in lock formation, freely without felting and
varies in colour from cream to white, depending on the area
and natural nutrients in the ground. The lustre wool is currently
one of the higher priced fleeces; almost double that of some
commercial flocks.
The fleece is popular with hand spinners and as a rare breed
is exempt from the Wool Board regulations and can be sold
privately. The wool is very versatile due to the length of
staple and can be spun from raw fleece, combed or carded and
is used in a number of crafts such as knitting, rug making,
tapestry, wall hangings, felting, weaving and soft furnishings.
Although a particularly good natural colour the wool does
take dye well, especially many of the lovely natural dyes
now used.
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