The Brecknock Hill Cheviot (also known as Brecon Cheviot and Sennybridge Cheviot) is a domesticated breed of sheep originating approximately 400 years ago from Wales

Wales

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...

. They are a result of crosses with Welsh Mountain, Cheviot

Cheviot sheep

The Cheviot is a breed of white faced sheep which gets its name from a range of hills in north Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. It is still common in this area of the United Kingdom, but also in north west Scotland, Wales and the south west of England as well as more rarely in Australia,...

 and Leicster breeds. This breed is primarily raised for meat. It was introduced into the US in 1838.

Characteristics

Brecknock Hill Cheviot have erect ears with white face and legs and a ruff of wool behind the ears. There is no wool on the face or legs below the knee or hock. Both sexes are polled (hornless) However, rams are occasionally horned.

Staple length is 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in) with a fleece weight of 1.5 to 2.5 kg (3.3 to 5.5 lb). The spinning count of the wool is 50's to 56's. The fleece has some kemp but not generallly red. In the UK, the wool is used mainly for tweeds and knitwear. Mature ewes weigh 45 to 85 lb (20.4 to 38.6 kg) and mature rams 55 to 100 lb (24.9 to 45.4 kg).

External links

• Miniature Cheviot Sheep Breeders Cooperative - United States