and Info
Registry artwork by Dorota Kudyba.
Why Choose Valais Blacknose Sheep ?
Yes, they really are the world's CUTEST sheep......
(and friendliest)
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Their looks speak for themselves. It's hard not to smile when you look at them.
But their personalities are what keeps us hooked.
They are SO sweet and friendly.
Thank you Juras Blacknose Sheep in Scotland for sharing the photos.
They originate from the Valais Region of Switzerland and are a hardy breed.
The breed can be traced back as far as the fifteenth century
but it is also possible that they are descendants of a pre-Roman time breed introduced to Valais.
They have been endangered on and off and in 1964 they were admitted to the
Swiss Breeding Association. The first Valais arrived in the UK in 2014.
The number of Valais Blacknose in the UK is estimated to be about 400.
Both sexes have spiral horns.
The Rams (males) can weigh approx. 175-285# and Ewes (girls) can weigh 150-200#.
Their coarse wool is highly sought after for felting, carpets, etc.
See Needle Felters - Spinners - Fiber Artists
They became a recognized breed (Walliser Schwarznasen) in approx. mid 1960's
by the Swiss Breeding Association.
They were exported to the UK in February 2014.
Also, as with anything that is very limited in supply, they are an investment.
At an auction in England, top ram sold for USD $7,532, and ewes brought up to USD $6,154.
At the second annual Blacknose Beauties show in Carlise, a top price of USD $10,936
was paid for a four month old lamb.
Clearly these sheep are not raised for meat. They are pets and breeding stock.
Since currently USDA does not allow importing of these sheep,
the only way at the moment to get them is to go through the Breed-Up program
using imported from overseas, highly tested
purebred 100% Valais Blacknose Sheep frozen semen
starting with foundation ewes and breeding up until F5.
See How Do I Get Started
Valais Blacknose Sheep Characteristics here