Bluefaced Leicester

A British longwool breed that developed around the turn of the 20th century in north-east England, mainly in the Tyne and Wear valleys, from the white-faced Border Leicester with Wensleydale and possibly Teeswater influence. By the 1920s it was known as the Bluefaced or, after the town of Hexham, the Hexham Leicester.

A large, long-bodied sheep, among the tallest British breeds: ewes stand about 85 cm and rams 90 cm, weighing 80 and 115 kg. It is naturally polled, with a broad head, markedly Roman profile and long upright ears; the blue face comes from blue-grey skin showing through fine white hair. The wool forms long curled ringlets and is light and fine; it may need winter shelter.

Bred specifically as a crossing sire: rams go to hill ewes, and the resulting mule ewes are mated to a terminal sire. The commonest cross, with the Scottish Blackface, gives the Scotch Mule; others include the Cheviot, Exmoor, Highland, North of England and Welsh Mules.