shetlandindex

Welcome to Veliraf Shetlands. On this page I've tried to provide a little more information about Shetland Sheep.
Shetland sheep are estimated to have been in evidence for over one thousand years. It is thought that Viking settlers originally brought them to the Shetland Isles, and all of the Shetlands today are decendants of those original sheep. Shetland Sheep are a member of the Northern European Short-Tailed sheep group, and require no tail docking. Other breeds of sheep who belong to this group are Icelandics, Finnsheep, Norwegian Spaelsau, Icelandics,and Romanovs. The Shetland is the smallest of the british breeds. Rams are generally from 90 to 125 pounds, and ewes range from 75 to 100 pounds. Rams usually have a set of gorgeous spriral horns, and the ewes are generally polled- although some producers are now selecting for horned ewes. Rams having horns not clearing their faces should be culled.
Shetlands are considered a 'primitive' or 'unimproved' breed. Although this means that they are small and slow growing, they are very hardy, adaptable, good mothers, easy lambers and produce plenty of milk. Lambing percentage is usually around 150%, with yearlings generally having singles. They were originally bred to survive in the harsh conditions and meagre diet of the Shetland Isles. They are known for their naturally lean, and VERY tasty meat.
With the assistance of the Rare Breed Survival Trust, Col. G.D. Dailley, of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, imported 28 ewes and 4 rams from the Shetland Islands in 1980. The orginal imported sheep were in life quarantine, and offspring from the original imports could not leave quarantine for an additional five years. With much effort on Col. Dailleys part, Shetland Sheep slowly spread througout North America.
Shetland wool is one of the finest and softest of any of the British Breeds. Wool from the neck of the sheep is used to make traditional Shetland shawls that are so fine that they can be drawn through a wedding ring!!! The most difficult part of all when trying to describe Shetland sheep is to define their fleece. Shetland sheep have amazing variety in their fleece types. Fleece can be short and crimpy, double coated - like the Icelandic Sheep, short and wavy, and many other combinations. Some fleeces will feel silky, some soft, other coarser. Within the Shetland breed there is a fleece type for whatever project you would like to try!!!