The Flock
We have a small flock of 11 Dorset Down and 5 Southdown Sheep. These breeds are easy to handle. Ours come running up the moment they see us with a bucket, on the grounds that it usually contains food. 

One of the reasons that we chose the Dorset Down is the fact that it is a traditional sheep of West Dorset and South Somerset.

 
Dorset Downs
The breed was formed by crossing Southdowns with the Hampshire Down. Dorset breeds, such as the Dorset Down, and Horned and Poll Dorset, do not have a specific breeding season. They can be mated at almost any time of year, and this makes it possible to have lambs ready for Easter. Not only do they produce fine tasting meat, but their fleece is one of the most highly valued in the UK. The Dorset Down is classed as a rare breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
Southdowns
We have kept Southdowns for more than 18 years and are members of the Southdown Sheep Society. The Southdown was once found in great numbers on the Sussex downs, with numbers peaking at about 200,000 during the 1800s. Then they fell out of favour, due to the fact that their short leg and fatty meat was not ideal for commercial purposes. By 1987 there were just 1300 breeding ewes and the RBST categorised them as a ‘rare breed’. Fortunately, their numbers have crept up again and rams are fetching a good price. In January 2007 it was announced that due to the rise in numbers, the breed was no longer rare, but classed as a native breed. Farmers are discovering that the Southdown ram can be put to a commercial ewe to produce a fine carcass. 

Today, Southdowns are once again highly valued for their excellent meat – somewhat more fatty than the lean lamb from commercial breeds, but so very much tastier. The Southdown is said to be a favourite of HRH The Prince of Wales.

For more information, contact the Southdown Sheep Society.