Cheviots, Shetlands, and Crossbreds

American Miniature Cheviot Sheep

purebred ewe and lambs

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.

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.

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.

Hermia (Mia) - purebred Shetland ewe

The Shepherd's Croft

Peter and Toni Kellers, shepherds

721 Cedar Lane, Perkasie PA 18944

215-795-2548

crofter@comcast.net