Valais Blacknose
The Valais Blacknose is a Swiss mountain sheep from the canton of Valais, or Wallis, instantly identified by its white fleece and black markings on the nose, around the eyes, on the ears, knees, hocks, and feet. Both rams and ewes are horned, with the horns curving outward in a broad spiral. The fleece is long, curly, and fast-growing, giving the breed its rounded, plush appearance, but it is a real alpine farm sheep rather than a toy animal. In Switzerland it has been used for meat, wool, and grazing on steep seasonal pastures.
Outside its home region the Valais Blacknose is often kept by pedigree breeders and smallholders, so buyers should look past the face markings and assess teeth, feet, fleece quality, body condition, and lambing history. The heavy wool requires regular shearing, sometimes more than once a year, plus careful attention to flystrike and overheating in warm climates. Horns need space in handling systems and safe fencing. Import rules have led some countries to build flocks through embryos, semen, or upgrading programs, so registry percentage and health status may be important when comparing animals.
Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Brown, Gray, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Silver, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Nose, White with Black Points, White with Black Tips, White with Brown Points
