Jacob Sheep in the Compton Flock
18th C Staffordshire Pottery Jacobs !
Breed Description
The Jacob should be an upstanding, deep bodied sheep with a striking white and black appearance, and a badger face showing a clear white blaze. They should have four square legs, showing no sign of deformity, and should be well up on their pasterns. They have two or four horns which should not be forward growing or so crooked that they impede their feeding. The wool should be free of kemp, and weigh about three to seven pounds, the micron size is 34, and ranges on the Bradford Scale from 48 to 54. The markings should be preferably 60% white and 40% black, with defined black patches, not of a mottled appearance, and the skin pink under the white wool. They should also be hardy, healthy and intelligent.
For more details go to: http://www.jacobsheep.org.uk
Historical Notes
Jacob sheep take their name from the story in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, describing how Jacob became a selective breeder of spotted sheep.
The conclusions reached by Lady Araminta Aldington in her book A History Of Jacob Sheep, published in 1989 by Geerings of Ashford state that “Jacob sheep are an ancient breed,….. whose unique markings were originally for camouflage, were carried by the majority of feral sheep from very early times throughout the world. The many names by which these pied sheep have been known in the past inferred that they had come to the British Isles from overseas, usually a Mediterranean country. The two exceptions were a flock at Tabley in Cheshire known as Persian, and the spotted Hungarian sheep at Montreal in Kent….It is impossible to say that there is one definite location from which these sheep originated, but with the flourishing trade along the silk route from East to West it would seem that the blood of the spotted feral sheep of ancient Mongolia and China may still be carried in the pedigree of those flocks now so zealously tended today”
Benefits of keeping the Jacob Breed
Jacob sheep have made amazing progress in the last fifty years, from a near rare breed position to the popularity they enjoy today. The breed has the following attributes :-
 |
They are prolific, nearly always producing twins, a factor making considerable economic sense. |
|
The ewes are hardy and excellent mothers, who milk well and take good care of their offspring, thereby requiring the minimum of shepherding. |
|
Their fleeces are unique, for spinning, weaving, or selling to hand spinners |
|
Their meat is fine flavoured, and their skins make excellent sheepskin rugs |
|
Crossing with other breeds, produces prolific, hardy, fast finishing meat lambs |
|
They are an attractive park breed, also useful for lawn mowing! |
|
Their intelligence, individuality and personality are well known. |
|
The chance to compete at shows throughout Britain, at local and National levels |
|
The chance of meeting other breeders, and visiting other flocks throughout the UK. |