University of Duhok

College of Agricultural Engineering Siences

Animal Production department

Prepared by: Gulchin jahwar

10/10/2023
 Outlines

1. Introduction

2. Characteristics

3. Breed Standard

4. References

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 Introduction

The Leicester Longwood is an English breed of sheep. Alternative names

for the breed include: Leicester, Bakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester,
English Leicester, Improved Leicester and New Leicester. It was originally
developed by 18th-century breeding innovator Robert Bakewell. The
Leicester Longwood was important to the development of other long wool
breeds and has made a large contribution to the sheep industries in
Australia and New Zealand. The breed originated in the Leicester region of
England and although it is a very old breed, Robert Bakewell, a pioneer in
the field of animal genetics, is given credit for improving it during the 18th
century

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 Characteristics

 The head of an Leicester Long wool should be carried well, not too high
and should have no signs of horns on the poll (forehead).
 The face is generally in a wedge shape, covered in white hairs and can
appear to have a blue tinge.
 The lips and nostrils should be black.
 Having black specks on the face and ears is not objectionable.
 The neck should be of medium length.
 The shoulders should be strong and level with the back, which should be
flat.
 The legs should be straight and wide apart and the hooves should be black

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 Breed Standard

1. Head and Face: Head carried strongly, not too high, and set on a short, thick neck. Head is neat and cleanly
chiseled, wide between the ears and tapering slightly to the nostrils.
2. Chest: The chest should be deep and wide and the breast prominent
3. Back: The back is wide and level. It is well filled behind the shoulders, resulting in great girth and thickness
through the heart girth. The back carries firm even flesh. The loin is long, wide and deep
4. Ribs: The ribs are well sprung, giving the barrel great capacity for lungs and digestive organs
5. Skin: The skin of the body is a healthy pink color, with the occasional black or gray spot not penalized if these
spots grow white wool

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 Breed Standard

Size: Mature rams range from 140 pounds to 330 pounds; mature ewes from 110 pounds to 220 pounds.
Reproduction: The udders of ewes should be tightly and well attached, symmetrical and with even texture throughout.
Extra teats are moderately objectionable. The testes of the male should be symmetrical, with good tone and should hang
freely in the scrotum.
Fleece: The breed is generally white but colored sheep occur and can range from black to “English Blue” (deep gray to
silver). The fleece is long, curly, lustrous and heavy, with staple lengths from 8 to 14 inches. It is high-yielding and
stylish with well-defined crimp. Generally softer and somewhat finer than Lincoln or Cotswold, it’s highly valued by
hand spinners and weavers for its handle and beautiful dye acceptance. in addition to their meat and wool, Blue faced
Leicester sheep are also used for conservation grazing. They are effective at managing vegetation in areas that may be
difficult to access with machinery, such as hillsides and wetlands.

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 References

1. Wykes, D. L. (2004). Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) of Dishley: farmer and livestock

improver. The Agricultural history review, 38-55.

2. Young, G. B., & Purser, A. F. (1962). Breed structure and genetic analysis of Border

Leicester sheep. Animal Science, 4(3), 379-389.

3. Leicester Long wool – Wikipedia

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