Southdown

One of the oldest English breeds, bred in Sussex for centuries. More than 200 years ago John Ellman began to improve it radically by selection within the flock; Jonas Webb continued his work, slightly increasing body size. It was used to develop most Down breeds.

A meat breed that grazes well and also breeds out of season; lambs grow fast and their meat fattens late. Prolificacy is 1.5–1.8, with easy lambing and good lamb rearing; ewes weigh 55–70 kg and rams 70–90 kg.

A small breed with a broad, short head, polled in both sexes; the nose is slightly convex. Part of the face and the nose carry brown or grey hair, the nose leather is dark, and short wool covers the poll, cheeks and around the eyes. The legs are short, the hooves black and the wool solid-coloured, from white to brown.