Whiteface Dartmoor sheep                                                                            

In 2010 we decided to take on another breed of sheep and specifically wanted a breed that was indigenous to the area.  After considering Devon Closewools, Devon and Cornwall Longwools, Greyface Dartmoors, Exmoor Horn, Dorset Horn and Whiteface Dartmoors, we decided on the latter, providing a real contrast to our Welsh Mountain Badger Face flocks. 
The Whiteface Dartmoor is on the Rare Breed Survival Trust's At Risk register which means that there are fewer than 1500 adult breeding females in existence, but we managed to source our starter flock of in-lamb ewes and ewe lambs from a breeder a few miles away on Dartmoor, and brought our new flock home in the autumn of 2011. 

Our Whiteface Dartmoors are the South Yeo flock of pedigree sheep, and we are members of the Whiteface Dartmoor Sheep Breeders Association.  Having plumped for this wonderful local breed, it's good to know that we can source pedigree rams from within Devon!

The breed is believed to be one of England's most ancient breeds of sheep.  The ewes are naturally polled (hornless) and the rams have magnificent curled horns.  Their fleece is long, lustrous and curled, which produces a stunning lambskin.  Hardy sheep, they are built to withstand hard moorland winters and still produce good lambs and superb wool.  We have found them to be docile and a real pleasure to handle, and are delighted with our choice of new flock.

Livestock: We will have ram lambs and wethers for sale from late July/August 2012 but will be keeping our ewe lambs to increase our breeding flock for this year at least.