^{NAVAJO-CHURRO AND JACOB SHEEP}

Their Lambs, Colors and Patterns; Their Products, Fleece, Wool, Roving, Felt; Spinning Wheels.

^{PRESERVING RARE AND ENDANGERED BREEDS OF DOMESTIC SHEEP SINCE 1974}

Information of Interest.

The Navajo-Churro sheep get their name from a combination of the Spanish sheep of origin, the Churra, and the shepherds who have maintained them for nearly 500 years, the Navajo. It is the oldest and now rarest breed in North America. It's incredible history, unique looks and specialty wool, used in weaving quality Navajo rugs combine to make this sheep a truly American breed.

Churra sheep were brought from Spain as a hardy animal which could supply fresh meat for troops and settlers of the "New World". The sheep have a coarse, long outer coat with a fine undercoat which measures as fine as the wool on a Merino. It is soft to the touch and being almost greaseless it is easy to spin by hand. The yarn spun from the wool can be worn as garments or woven into long lasting rugs.

The sheep have a huge range of colors and patterns. There are fiteen natural colors currently recognized by the Navajo-Churro Association ranging from Jet black through several shades of grey, white, many shades of brown to a dark chocolate brown called "Rio Grande".

The genetic patterns that have been recognized are White, White/Tan, Black, Brown, Dark Brown, Grey, Grey&Tan, English Blue (both the brown as well as the black version), Brown Badgerface, Black Badgerface, Brown&Tan, Black&Tan, Lateral Stripes, Spots and several combinations. The patterns are internationally recognized by the Committee on Genetic Nomenclature of Sheep and Goats. Many of them are being bred for in the Painter flock.

Some Navajo-Churro sheep are born with wattles; some have naturally short ears. Some of the sheep in both sexes have horns and some even have four or more. The multiple horns are becoming scarce as few breeders care for the extra hassle of selecting for more than one pair of horns. This unique characteristic has shown up in many breeds with Churro ancestry. The Navajos believe that multiple horns are a sign of good fortune. We feel, at Puddleduck Farm, that this characteristic sets the sheep apart from other breeds and it is important that it is not lost.

The sheep show remarkable ability to subsist and reproduce on little feed and scarce water. The ewes are noted for their excellent mothering and abundance of milk. They rarely need assistance at birthing and fiercely protect their lambs. As a breeder of these sheep since 1974, Puddleduck Farm attests to these facts.

Shown at left are Puddleduck ewes and their lambs. The ram is sire to many of the 2010 lambs. His name is MMC Columbia.

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