Dorset
and Data Coordinator
Alan Culham
5108 E Howell Road
Weberville, MI 48892
Phone: 541/521-4870
The Breed for All Seasons
Dorsets are adaptable to all types of sheep enterprises, from the large, full-time commercial producer to the small, part-time purebred farm flock operation. The Dorset breed was originally developed as an extremely versatile sheep that thrived and excelled in a variety of environments, under various nutritional and management regimens. Due to their moderate size and fast, effcient growth, they are profitable producers of lamb, milk, and wool. The versatility of the breed is most readily apparent in their ability to serve both maternal and terminal aspects of sheep production.
The maternal superiority of the Dorset breed is readily accepted by both commercial and purebred producers due to the breed’s out-of-season lambing
The maternal superiority of the Dorset breed is readily accepted by both commercial and purebred producers due to the breed’s out-of-season lambing (fall and spring), prolificacy (approaching 200% lamb crop), mothering instinct and milking ability (heavier lamb weights at weaning).
The terminal attributes of the Dorset breed are comparable to other purebred breeds due to their rapid and efficient rate of growth in extensive (pasture-based feeding) and intensive (feedlot and drylot feeding) programs, and carcass characteristics that excel in both yield and quality grade with a high percentage of rack, loin and leg.
The official registry office for Dorset Sheep in the United States (both Horned and Polled) is the Continental Dorset Club.
History
It is said that centuries ago, Merino sheep were brought into Shoutwest England and were crossed with the Horned Sheep of Wales, which produced a desirable all-purpose sheep. Thus, the birth of the Horned Dorset sheep, the ancestors of the present day Dorset.
Horned Dorsets were imported into this country in 1860 to the West Coast. Horned Dorsets were the dominate type of Dorset sheep in America until the development of the Polled Dorsets in the 1950’s. Polled Dorsets were developed from a gene mutation. The polled strain has helped Dorsets become one of the most popular sheep breeds in the country today, where it has the largest white face breed registry in the country and second overall.