History Of Shetland Sheep

The history of the Shetland Sheep can be traced back for centuries; some researchers estimate as far back as the Iron Age. However, with the first documented importation of them into Canada in 1980 and the U.S. in late 1986, they are just now beginning to be "discovered" on this continent. Although the Shetlands have a history going back over a millennium, they had fallen on hard times in this century. As mutton became more profitable their diminutive size was a disadvantage, so they were crossed with other breeds to produce more meat. This was very successful, at least in terms of meat production, as Shetland lamb has good flavor. However, the number of pure Shetlands decreased alarmingly. Another factor which pushed the Shetlands into the endangered breed category was the availability of lucrative jobs on the North Sea oil rigs. Shetlanders could earn considerably more in the oil industry than in tending sheep. In 1977, the British Rare Breeds Survival Trust classified the Shetland Sheep as endangered and many concerned people rallied to their preservation. In 1991, the number of purebred Shetland ewes on mainland Britain reached slightly over 1500, so they are no longer considered in the endangered category, but still retain minor breed status. The NASSR (North American Shetland Sheep Registry) estimates we have only about 1,000 Shetlands in North America.
 
One of the things many colored-flock owners find exciting is that Shetlands are one of the few sheep breeds still frequently expressing the moorit (brown) gene. In fact, According to NASSR, moorit is the second most common color next to white which is dominant over all other colors. There are a wide variety of moorits - pale fawn, golden browns, reddish browns, greyish browns and most shades in between! Shetlands come in one of the widest ranges of colors of any breed of sheep - not only the rare moorits, but also greys, blur greys, white (which is often whiter than the typical creamy white), and black, which is often jet-black. There are eleven official colors as well as thirty markings. Unfortunately, many of these colors and markings have become quite rare. One of the goals of our breeding program is to preserve as many of these colors and markings as possible. Many colors are still identified by their Shetland dialect names - "Emsket" for dusky bluish grey; "Shaela" for dark steely grey resembling black frost; "Mioget" for light golden brown, etc. These colorful names and descriptions help you visualize what some have termed the "earth-toned rainbow" of colors reflected in a Shetland flock.
 
 Wool from the Shetland sheep formed the basis of the world-renowned Shetland woolen industry. Typically, Shetland wool is one of the finest and softest of any British breed, with a Bradford spinning count usually in the upper 50s to lower 60s. There is, of course, some variation between individual sheep. The wool is typically quite open, soft and yet strong. It is easy to spin and ideal for knitting.
 
Shetlands are much more calm and docile than many primitive breeds. They respond well to attention and some even wag their tails when petted! These charming little characters often endear themselves as pets. The rams are also generally safe to be around, unlike most breeds of sheep. They are one of the smallest British sheep, with ewes typically weighing around 70 pounds and rams about 90 pounds. They are relatively fine-boned and agile, and are about knee-high. They're an easy sheep for women and children to handle. The rams usually have beautiful, majestic spiraled horns and the ewes are typically hornless. However naturally polled rams and horned ewes fo occur from time to time. They have short, characteristic fluke-shaped tails that do not need to be docked.
 
The Shetlands in the U.S. and Canada are descendants of sheep which lived in the Shetland Islands not much more than ten years ago. In that difficult environment they essentially had to fend for themselves. Having retained most of their primitive survival instincts, they are easier to care for than many of today's improved breeds. Strong maternal instincts are still very evident in Shetland ewes. They normally lamb easily without assistance, rarely reject their lambs, and the lambs are usually vigorous and nurse within minutes after birth. Twins are frequent in adult ewes and most people are successfully breeding their ewe lambs. Ram lambs are also mature enough to use in their first year. They are quite hardy, adapting well to most climates. In the Shetland Islands, it is reported that they are the only breed that can survive in some of the harsher regions - not even Shetland crosses can tolerate some of these areas. They are currently doing well in most climates in North America; from Alaska to Texas and from California to Maine. They are very thrifty and require less feed than most breeds. Expensive feed concentrates and supplements are not necessary as Shetlands do very well on average pasture. Grass and/or alfalfa hay in winter months is adequate, although we do supplement with corn at breeding and lambing times.