Laughing Dog Wranch

Laughing Dog Wranch, Katahdin sheep in Cobden, IL, Union County and the Shawnee National Forest near Carbondale, centers on breeding. Owners Mark Beard-Witherup and Brown Maggie have been raising Katahdin sheep for several seasons, adhering to breed association health guidelines and routine screenings.

The flock grazes on open fields near the forest edge, rotating pastures to promote forage diversity and hoof health. Their bloodlines are selected for maternal traits and calm temperament, suiting the sheep for fiber production and land management. Lambs are reared in family settings, receiving early handling to ensure gentle behavior.

Facilities include a timber-framed barn and sheltered paddocks to protect against seasonal weather. Pedigrees and performance records are maintained for each ewe and lamb to provide transparent lineage and consistency. Many of the sheep have been shown at regional agricultural fairs, earning recognition for fleece quality and structural soundness.