Zakynthos

Zakynthos sheep come from the Greek island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea. They are among the largest Greek indigenous sheep, with a thin tail, coarse wool, and a body type that has been linked in historical accounts to northern Italian influence during Venetian rule. The breed belongs to an island dairy and meat landscape, where sheep milk contributes to local cheeses and farm identity as much as the animals' size does.

Keeping Zakynthos sheep calls for attention to milk yield, udder health, lamb growth, and heat management in Mediterranean conditions. Coarse wool is a secondary product, while dairy use and local conservation are central. Because island breeds can decline quickly when replaced by more commercial stock, breeding programs benefit from careful records and avoidance of indiscriminate crossing. Buyers should verify whether animals are genuine Zakynthos or simply large Greek crossbred sheep.