Dorper: “naked” sheep from Africa (6 photos)

Dorper sheep appeared once in South Africa, when there was a need to obtain a breed that was unpretentious to the conditions of keeping. The animals gain weight well and reproduce in an arid climate with a poor food supply.





Did you know that sheep can be “naked”? Yes, in the north, a sheep without wool is the same as a cow without milk. Lambs still share their “coat” so that we don’t freeze in winter. But why wrap yourself in furs in Africa at +40? That's right, there's no need! But I always want to eat a lot. This is roughly how the Dorper breed turned out!



It appeared in South Africa, and was bred from the Dorset horned and black-headed Persian sheep by crossing. The direction of selection is meat. The name “Dorper” has preserved the memory of its roots; the word literally consists of the first two syllables from the names of other breeds. The locals liked the result so much that now this breed is the second largest sheep in the country!





Coloring in childhood: it’s visual - you color your head, the rest will come later.

And it’s not surprising: this little animal is the antonym of the word “sissy.” Lambs endure terrible heat, eat grass that other sheep won’t even look at, and they also breed like crazy! A ewe can give birth to three lambs at one time. And what heroes! By three to four months they will already weigh about 40 kg. And adult rams weigh more than 100 kg.



Droppers are adapted not only to the harsh African savannas and deserts. They also feel at home in Australia. Lambs were even brought to Tasmania, despite the fact that it is quite cool there - the average temperature on the island is 12-21 °C.



How could a heat-loving breed express itself so well there, since its skin, you say, is not rich? The dorper really has little wool: if fleece appears, it is only for a short time. In terms of quality, it is extremely thin; with the onset of molting, it generally sheds on its own. But what’s thick is the skin! Dense, strong - it is this that protects sheep from all natural misfortunes.



The Dorper has little fur. But brutality is more than enough.

Such qualities could not go unnoticed by master leatherworkers. Dropper leather is one of the most sought after sheepskin leathers in the world. In its homeland, the breed brings in a lot of profit: 20% of all income in some African countries comes from the sale of lamb skins. This is how a big sheep does a great job: it feeds people not only with its meat, but also economically, increasing the standard of living of people in the regions.