Skudde
The Skudde is a small, primitive breed of domestic sheep known for its hardiness and adaptability to diverse environments. Originating from East Prussia and the Baltic regions, this breed stands out due to its modest size, making it different from many larger, more commercial sheep breeds. Skuddes are known for their multi-layered fleece, often comprising a mix of wool and hair fibers, which ranges in colors from white, black, brown, to even gray. This unique fleece structure provides them with great insulating properties, enabling them to thrive in cold climates.
Skuddes have a distinctive appearance, with both rams and ewes sometimes bearing spiral-shaped horns, although polled (hornless) variants also exist. The rams, in particular, display impressive curved horns. Due to their origins, these sheep are extremely resilient and can subsist on relatively poor grazing land, making them ideal for conservation grazing projects. Skuddes are valued not only for their wool, which is often used in traditional textiles, but also for their lean, flavorful meat.
Their calm and docile temperaments make them easy to manage, and their natural resistance to many diseases is a further testament to their primitive, robust genetics. As a rare breed, they are an integral part of cultural heritage in their native regions and are the focus of various conservation efforts to ensure their survival and sustainability.
Colors: White, Gray, Brown, Black
