Category:German Blackheaded Mutton Sheep

Already in 1850 meat paid higher than wool, therefore breeding goals were changed. Black-headed meat breeds, such as Leicester, Southdown, and Hampshire were imported from England into Saxony to be cross-bred with local breeds.. 30 years later, breeding of these sheep really started more in Westfalia and Eastern Prussia, than in Saxony. The Merinofleischschaf (Merino mutton sheep) was prevalent in Saxony. Westfalia, with its high precipitation was the perfect area for the Schwarzkopf Fleischschaf (also known as Deutsches Schwarzkoepfiges Fleischschaf, Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf, Czarnoglowka, German Hampshire, Improved Blackfaced Mutton, Teutoburg, and German Blackheaded Mutton Sheep) and it is still the main breeding area.

It is a medium-sized, white sheep that is wide and long with dark- brown to black head, ears, and legs. It grows cross- bred wool with a tight and firm staple, to protect it in the wet climate. Fleece weight of a ram is around 6 kg; the ewe’s fleece weighs around 4.5 kg. Fiber diameter is 29-33 microns. The breed is also polled.

Ewes weigh about 75 kg and have about approximately 2 lambs a year.