Montadale

Montadale is a United States sheep breed developed in the 20th century from Columbia and Cheviot foundations. EH Mattingly selected the cross to combine the size and fleece of western white-faced sheep with the muscling, alertness, and practical lamb qualities of Cheviot-type mutton sheep. The breed became a white-faced, polled, dual-purpose sheep used for lamb and medium wool.

Commercial value usually comes from maternal ewes, growthy lambs, and a fleece that remains more useful than that of many strictly meat breeds. Montadales fit farms that want a clean-faced, manageable sheep with enough size for market lamb production and enough wool quality for ordinary mill or handspinning use. As with any composite breed, selection history matters. Breeders should keep records for lambing, fleece weight, wool quality, feet, and carcass traits rather than assuming every Columbia-Cheviot influence will produce a true Montadale.

Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Brown, Gray, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Silver, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points