Shetland

The Shetland sheep is a small Northern European short-tailed breed from Scotland's Shetland Islands, closely related to other hardy island and Scandinavian sheep. It has fine soft fleece in a wide range of natural colors, including black, moorit, grey, fawn, white, and patterned markings such as katmoget and gulmoget. Rams are commonly horned, while ewes may be polled or horned depending on the line. The sheep are light framed, active, and slower maturing than commercial meat breeds, but the meat is lean and the wool is prized by handspinners.

Shetlands suit small farms, conservation grazing, and fiber flocks where careful handling is possible. Many shed or can be rooed when the fleece loosens, though annual shearing is still used in many flocks. They do well on modest grazing but need secure fencing because they are nimble and curious, and they should not be pushed like high-output lowland ewes. Breeders often track color genetics as well as conformation, fleece quality, lambing ease, and horn shape. Buyers should ask about registration, parasite management, and foot history.

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