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American Miniature Cheviot
Sheep
Cheviot sheep originated in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland. They were introduced to
this country in 1838. Border Cheviots are small, hardy sheep that spend their lives on the moors. In the US they have become
larger than their ancestors from the UK (as have many breeds of sheep), so the American Miniature Cheviot Registry was formed
to preserve the original size. They are white or black, with small heads and erect, pointed ears. They lamb easily. Their
fleeces provide a medium wool with a distinctive helical crimp and a long staple, perfect for handspinning.
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Shetland
Sheep
Shetland sheep came to Canada from Scotland, and thence to the U.S in the mid-twentieth century.They
are renown for the fine neck fleece that provides the wool for "wedding ring shawls" that are so fine that they
can be drawn through a wedding ring. These hardly litttle sheep have gained favor among handspinners because of their wonderful
wool which comes in many colors, ranging from white through browns and greys, to black.
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| Hermia (Mia) - purebred Shetland ewe |
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| Thunder and Faery Kiss crossbred twins |
Cheviot/Shetland Crossbred Sheep
We began crossbreeding Cheviots and Shetlands about five years ago. This cross is being done in the Shetland
Islands also. The goal is to combine the density of the Cheviots with the finenes of the Shetlands. Our results have been
spectacular!. Last year we got a pair of twins that you see here. Thunder has a creamy fleece and was sold as a breeding sheep.
Faery Kiss, his twin, began as a black ewe, and then silver began to show beneath, and she produced a fabulous long, sof bi-color
fleece - possibly the best we have ever had. The Shepherd's Croft
721 Cedar Lane, Perkasie, Pennsylvania 18944
(215) 795 -
2548
crofter@comcast.net
www.shepherdscroft.com
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