Vendéen

Vendéen is a French meat sheep from the Vendée and neighboring western regions, developed from local ewes with Southdown influence. It is a strong, medium-to-large breed with dark face and leg hair, good carcass conformation, and a fleece that is useful but secondary to lamb production. Vendéen rams are valued in crossbreeding where producers want shape, growth, and market lambs without losing too much adaptability.

A practical Vendéen flock needs selection for lambing ease, maternal ability, feet, and carcass traits that remain useful outside intensive systems. Ewes are often appreciated for fertility and the ability to work in varied French grazing and housing systems. For buyers, the breed is most relevant as a meat sire or productive ewe line, but recorded performance and local breeder goals should matter more than the name alone.