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  • Welsh Sheep and Breeds

    Welsh Sheep

    Wales has the largest number of sheep per person in the United Kingdom, it has its own indigenous breeds of sheep and its own sheep dog breed. Recent figures state that there are over 10 million Welsh sheep compared to 3 million people, an approximate 3 to 1 ratio (3 sheep for every 1 person in Wales). Sheep farming is a key part of the agricultural economy and the weaving industry in Wales!

    Welsh Mule sheep
    Welsh Sheep - the Welsh Mule Breed - More information about the Campaign for Wool, click here...

     

    Welsh Sheep Farming

    On any visit to Wales, you will see sheep in most parts of the country. Recent figures state that there are are over 10 million welsh sheep compared to 3 million people, an approximate 3 to 1 ratio (3 sheep for every 1 person in Wales). As with all averages it can be misleading! In some parts of Wales, this ratio is as high as 20 sheep per person in rural mid, north and west Wales. Cattle farming is also key to Welsh farming but as a comparison, there are approximately 1 million cows in Wales compared to the 10 million sheep!

    In case you’re wondering how this compares to other countries in the UK or the world, Scotland slightly more sheep than the general population (an approximate ratio of 1 to 1) and England has about 1 sheep for every two people, not surprisingly making Wales the country in the UK with the most sheep per person. However, for a world comparison, New Zealand has over 6 sheep for every person in that country.

    Despite having only about 5% of the total UK population, Wales has nearly 33% of all UK sheep. Sheep farming in Wales represents for some 80% of all agriculture in Wales.

    What is Sheep in Welsh?

    A common question regarding sheep is, what is sheep in Welsh? Whilst in English sheep is the word for one and lots of sheep, in Welsh there are two words!  Dafad is the word for a single sheep, whereas defaid is for lots of sheep. Hwrdd is the word for a ram, a male sheep and oen for a lamb.

    Welsh Sheep Idioms

    The English phrase about black sheep of the family also exists in Welsh as "Y mae dafad ddu ym mhob praidd". Literally it means every there is a black sheep in every flock! 

    Welsh Sheep Breeds

    A white coloured fleece is the dominant colour of most sheep fleeces whereas black sheep range between 5 and 15% of all sheep. The major native breeds of sheep in Wales are as follows:

    • Badger Face Welsh
    • Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep 
    • Beulah Speckled Face 
    • Black Welsh Mountain or Welsh Black
    • Brecknock Hill Cheviott
    • Kerry Hill
    • Llanwenog
    • Lleyn
    • Welsh Mountain

    Also, worth a mention is the Welsh Mule sheep breed, a cross between Blue faced Leicester ram crossed with the Welsh Mountain, Beulah or Welsh Hill Speckled-face ewes. 

    The Welsh Mountain sheep is one of the oldest sheep breeds in the world, with references to the breed found in literature of the Middle Ages. It is still as important today for modern agriculture as any other breed.

    Black Welsh Mountain are an easy to manage small breed that graze well on rough upland and mountainous grazing. The wool is black, short, thick and firm to handle and it does not require dyeing. It is most suitable for making-up into cloth which is durable, light and warm. When used with good quality white wool it blends into attractive checks and patterns. When cured, the rich, deep-pile black fleeced skins are in demand as floor rugs and chair backs.

    We have wool from Llanwenog, Lleyn, Welsh Mule and of course the iconic Welsh Mountain Black sheep breeds in our hand dyed yarn or blankest and throws. Welsh mountain sheep wool and fleeces are a core part of the FelinFach range of natural wool products.

    Welsh Sheepdog Breed

    Whenever you think of sheep in the fields and on the mountains of Wales, you also think of the Welsh sheepdog energetically running, chasing or corralling the sheep and other livestock.

    Welsh sheep dog
    A beautiful, young Welsh Sheep Dog

     

    The Welsh Sheepdog is a rare landrace (as opposed to a pedigree) and has been in one form or another for over 800 years. It is a separate breed from the more popular Scottish Border Collie. A Welsh Collie is not a Welsh sheepdog -  a Welsh Collie is a cross between a Welsh Sheepdog and a Border Collie. Welsh Sheepdogs have tremendous agility, stamina and courage and a good 20kgs sheepdog can cope with herding or driving 750kg cattle.

    Welsh Sheepdogs are wonderfully responsive working dogs and it can be difficult to provide enough stimulation for them when kept as a pet. It suffers from some of the problems common to other herding breeds, but is generally very healthy, and has a life expectancy of 12–14 years.

     In in 1997 the Welsh Sheepdog Society was formed with a view to preserving and promoting the ancient Welsh Sheepdog breed. It is the aim of the Society to develop the purity of the strain.

     

    Campaign for Wool

    Welsh wool and indeed all wool sources are important to our business and are consistent with our guiding principles of Natural, Traditional and Handmade. We have been an official supporter of the worldwide Campaign for Wool for many years and are listed on the Campaign's official supporter's web page. Wool comes a sustainable source and it meets international environmental agendas. The Campaign promotes these attributes both in the UK and around the world.

     

    About FelinFach

    Welsh Blankets - Hand woven in in Wales in limited numbers Wool Throws - Hand woven in Wales Chandlery - Handmade Candles, Reed diffusers, tealights and wax melts - hand poured in Wales  Craft Courses - Natural Dyeing Gift Cards - By Post or by Email

     

    Located in Pembrokeshire Wales, our ethos is defined in the three words...

    NATURAL TRADITIONAL HANDMADE.

    We are a proud supporter of Americymru, the Campaign for WoolGlobal Welsh and Red Dragon America.

     

    Last updated 24th November 2023

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