🐑 Sheep Breeds
Complete guide to Indian and exotic sheep breeds — Merino, Chokla, Marwadi, Jaisalmeri, Sonadi, Karakul and more for CUET Agriculture.
Introduction to Sheep
Sheep are among the most versatile livestock animals, providing wool, meat (mutton), milk, and pelts. India has a rich diversity of sheep breeds, with Rajasthan being the dominant state for sheep rearing. Sheep farming is particularly important for nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoral communities.
- Scientific name: Ovis Aries
- Chromosome number: 2n = 54
- Family: Bovidae
- Recognized breeds in India: 44
- Sound: Bleating
- Feeding habit: Grazing — unlike goats (which are browsers), sheep prefer to graze on short grasses close to the ground.
- Reproduction: Seasonal (Ritu/Mausam based — breed mainly in autumn) — sheep are seasonal breeders, meaning they come into heat only during specific seasons, unlike cattle and goats which cycle year-round.
- Wool cutting: Called Shearing — the process of clipping wool from a sheep's body, typically done once or twice a year.
- Parasites: Myujiyam and Graib Adamni — sheep are highly susceptible to parasites, which is why they are called "Mobile Bank" due to their parasite load (parasites "withdraw" nutrients from the sheep).
- Rajasthan: Known as "Sheep's Home" (Ghair) — Rajasthan has the largest sheep population in India.
- Rajasthan/India's sheep fairs: Called Chaukla
Important Institutions
- CSWRI (Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute): Avikanagar, Malpura, Tonk, Rajasthan (established 1962) — India's premier institution for sheep and wool research.
- Sheep Breeding Center: Fatehpur, Sikar
- Central Breeding Farm: Hisar
- Asia's largest wool market: Bikaner
Important Terminology
- Dasting: Destruction of external parasites (ectoparasites like ticks, lice, mites)
- Dosing: Destruction of internal parasites (endoparasites like worms)
TIP
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Introduction to Sheep
Sheep are among the most versatile livestock animals, providing wool, meat (mutton), milk, and pelts. India has a rich diversity of sheep breeds, with Rajasthan being the dominant state for sheep rearing. Sheep farming is particularly important for nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoral communities.
- Scientific name: Ovis Aries
- Chromosome number: 2n = 54
- Family: Bovidae
- Recognized breeds in India: 44
- Sound: Bleating
- Feeding habit: Grazing — unlike goats (which are browsers), sheep prefer to graze on short grasses close to the ground.
- Reproduction: Seasonal (Ritu/Mausam based — breed mainly in autumn) — sheep are seasonal breeders, meaning they come into heat only during specific seasons, unlike cattle and goats which cycle year-round.
- Wool cutting: Called Shearing — the process of clipping wool from a sheep's body, typically done once or twice a year.
- Parasites: Myujiyam and Graib Adamni — sheep are highly susceptible to parasites, which is why they are called "Mobile Bank" due to their parasite load (parasites "withdraw" nutrients from the sheep).
- Rajasthan: Known as "Sheep's Home" (Ghair) — Rajasthan has the largest sheep population in India.
- Rajasthan/India's sheep fairs: Called Chaukla
Important Institutions
- CSWRI (Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute): Avikanagar, Malpura, Tonk, Rajasthan (established 1962) — India's premier institution for sheep and wool research.
- Sheep Breeding Center: Fatehpur, Sikar
- Central Breeding Farm: Hisar
- Asia's largest wool market: Bikaner
Important Terminology
- Dasting: Destruction of external parasites (ectoparasites like ticks, lice, mites)
- Dosing: Destruction of internal parasites (endoparasites like worms)
TIP
Memory trick: Dasting = Dermo (skin/external), Dosing = Digestive (internal). Both start with "D" but target different parasite locations.
Key Records
- Tallest sheep breed: Nellore (Andhra Pradesh)
- Best mutton breed: Dekkani
- Best carpet wool: Bikaneri / Pugal
- Largest sheep breed in the world: Lincoln Colton (England, body weight ~150 kg)
- First cloned sheep: Dolly (July 5, 1996, Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, New Zealand) — died February 14, 2003. Dolly was the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, a landmark achievement in genetics.
Classification by Region
1. Northern Himalayan (Hill Breeds)
Suited for mountain regions with cold climate. These breeds develop thick wool to survive harsh winters:
| Breed | State |
|---|---|
| Kashmiri | J&K |
| Himachali (Gaddi) | Himachal Pradesh |
| Makarwal | J&K |
| Gurez | J&K |
| Rampur-Bushayar | Himachal Pradesh |
2. Western Dry and Semi-Dry Region
Includes most of the Rajasthan breeds — these are adapted to hot, arid conditions and produce carpet-quality wool:
Chokla, Jaisalmeri, Marwadi, Malpura, Sonadi, Pugal/Bikaneri, Nali, Magra, Patanwadi, and others
3. Southern Hilly Region
| Breed | State |
|---|---|
| Deccani | Maharashtra/Karnataka |
| Nellore | Andhra Pradesh |
| Bellary | Karnataka |
| Hassan | Karnataka |
| Raiyanand | — |
| Trichy Black | Tamil Nadu |
| Koembattur (Coimbatore) | Tamil Nadu |
| Mandya | Karnataka |
4. Eastern Region
| Breed | State |
|---|---|
| Chota Nagpuri | Jharkhand |
| Shahbadi | Bihar |
Foreign / Exotic Breeds
| Breed | Origin | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Merino | Spain | World's highest wool production |
| Karakul | Central Asia | Famous for pelt (lamb skin) |
| Lincoln | England | Largest breed (150 kg) |
| Dorset | England | Good meat breed |
| Ramboulet | France | Fine wool, dual-purpose |
| Suffolk | England | Meat-type breed |
| Corriedale | New Zealand | Crossbreed, dual-purpose |
Detailed Breed Descriptions
1. Merino
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Spain |
| Wool length | 5–10 cm (finest quality) |
| Horns | Both sexes horned |
| Fleece | Wrinkled skin gives more surface area for wool |
| Special features | World's highest wool production, 80% of world's wool comes from Merino crosses |
| Wool yield | Male: 10–14 kg/year, Female: 7–9 kg/year |
Merino is the undisputed king of wool breeds. Originating from Spain, it produces the world's finest and highest quantity of wool. The secret to its high wool production is its wrinkled skin — the wrinkles create extra surface area, allowing more wool follicles to grow. An astonishing 80% of the world's wool comes from Merino or Merino-cross sheep. Merino wool fibers are just 5-10 cm long but extremely fine and soft.
IMPORTANT
Merino is the single most important sheep breed globally. The fact that 80% of world wool comes from Merino crosses is a very high-frequency exam question.
2. Chokla / Chhappar / Shekhawati
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shekhawati area (Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu), Rajasthan |
| Other name | India's Merino |
| Color | White face with grey body |
| Horns | Hornless (polled) |
| Nose | Roman nose |
| Body | Medium |
| Wool quality | Fine to medium |
| Shearing | Wool sheared twice per year |
Chokla is called "India's Merino" because it produces the best quality fine wool among all Indian sheep breeds. Its white face with grey body and hornless (polled) head with a Roman nose are identifying features. The wool is sheared twice per year, reflecting its good wool growth rate.
3. Karakul
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Central Asia (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, South Africa, Western Europe) |
| Body weight | Male: 90 kg, Female: 60 kg |
| Special features | Mainly reared for pelt production — pelts obtained by killing lambs at a very young age for their fine curly wool |
| Pelt name | Swakara (from young lamb skin) |
The Karakul breed is unique because it is reared primarily for pelt (lamb skin) production rather than wool or meat. The pelts, called Swakara, are obtained from very young lambs and are used in the luxury fur and fashion industry. The tight, lustrous curls of newborn Karakul lambs create a distinctive pattern prized in high-end fashion.
What is Swakara?
**Swakara** (South West Africa Karakul) is the trade name for the pelts of Karakul lambs. These pelts have a unique, tight curly pattern that is naturally lustrous. Swakara is used to make luxury coats, hats, and fashion accessories. The pelt quality is best when the lamb is very young (1-3 days old), which makes this a controversial practice from an animal welfare perspective.4. Malpura
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ajmer, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur (Rajasthan) |
| Terrain | Plains and hilly areas |
| Purpose | Meat breed |
| Wool | Thick, poor quality |
Malpura is primarily a meat breed from Rajasthan. Its wool is thick and of poor quality — not suitable for fine textiles. The breed is named after the town of Malpura in Tonk district, which is also the location of the CSWRI (Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute).
5. Jaisalmeri
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan |
| Special features | Registani (desert) breed, wool sheared twice per year, can survive 3–4 days without water, Rajasthan's longest and heaviest sheep breed |
The Jaisalmeri sheep is a true desert survivor — it can go 3-4 days without water, an exceptional adaptation for the harsh Thar desert conditions. It is Rajasthan's longest and heaviest sheep breed, and its wool grows fast enough to be sheared twice per year.
6. Marwadi
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Pali, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Sirohi (Rajasthan) |
| Ears | Small, curled |
| Legs | Thin and long |
| Special features | Healthiest sheep breed in Rajasthan, can travel long distances, survival rate greater than 90% |
| Wool yield | 1.5–2.3 kg/year |
The Marwadi breed is renowned as the healthiest sheep breed in Rajasthan with a remarkable survival rate exceeding 90%. Its thin, long legs are adapted for covering vast distances during migration. The breed's exceptional disease resistance and hardiness make it ideal for the challenging conditions of the Marwar region.
7. Sonadi / Chanothir
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Udaipur, Rajasthan |
| Ears | Long — can touch the ground |
| Face | Grey |
| Body | Largest body among Rajasthan breeds |
| Special features | Highest milk-producing sheep breed |
| Milk yield | 1–1.5 kg/day |
Sonadi is unique among sheep breeds for being the highest milk-producing sheep. Its most striking feature is its extremely long ears that can touch the ground — no other sheep breed in India has such long ears. It has the largest body among all Rajasthan sheep breeds.
TIP
Memory trick: Sonadi = So much milk + So long ears. It's the only sheep breed where milk production is a primary trait.
Comparative Summary Table
| Breed | Origin | Purpose | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merino | Spain | Wool | World's highest wool (10–14 kg/yr male) |
| Chokla | Rajasthan | Wool | India's Merino, fine wool |
| Karakul | Central Asia | Pelt | Young lamb skin (Swakara) |
| Malpura | Rajasthan | Meat | Thick, poor wool |
| Jaisalmeri | Rajasthan | Dual | Longest and heaviest in Rajasthan |
| Marwadi | Rajasthan | Wool/Meat | Healthiest, 90%+ survival |
| Sonadi | Rajasthan | Milk/Meat | Highest milk, ears touch ground |
| Lincoln | England | Wool/Meat | World's largest (150 kg) |
| Nellore | Andhra Pradesh | Meat | Tallest breed |
| Dekkani | Maharashtra | Meat | Best mutton breed |
Quick Revision: Exam-Important Facts
- World's highest wool production: Merino (Spain)
- India's Merino: Chokla / Shekhawati
- World's largest sheep: Lincoln Colton (150 kg, England)
- Tallest sheep breed: Nellore (Andhra Pradesh)
- Best mutton breed: Dekkani
- Best carpet wool: Bikaneri / Pugal
- Rajasthan's longest and heaviest sheep: Jaisalmeri
- Healthiest in Rajasthan (90%+ survival): Marwadi
- Highest milk-producing sheep: Sonadi (1–1.5 kg/day)
- Pelt breed: Karakul (Swakara pelts)
- 80% world wool from: Merino crosses
- First cloned sheep: Dolly (1996, Roslin Institute)
- Asia's largest wool market: Bikaner
- Sheep's Home: Rajasthan
- CSWRI location: Avikanagar, Malpura, Tonk, Rajasthan
- Total recognized breeds: 44
- Chromosome number: 2n = 54
- Dasting: External parasite destruction
- Dosing: Internal parasite destruction
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ovis Aries |
| Chromosome number | 2n = 54 |
| Recognized breeds in India | 44 |
| Feeding habit | Grazing (unlike goats which browse) |
| Reproduction type | Seasonal (breed mainly in autumn) |
| Wool cutting | Called Shearing |
| Rajasthan | Sheep's Home (Ghair) — largest sheep population in India |
| Dasting | Destruction of external parasites (ectoparasites) |
| Dosing | Destruction of internal parasites (endoparasites) |
| CSWRI | Avikanagar, Malpura, Tonk, Rajasthan (est. 1962) |
| Asia's largest wool market | Bikaner |
| Tallest sheep breed | Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Best mutton breed | Dekkani |
| Best carpet wool | Bikaneri / Pugal |
| World's largest sheep | Lincoln Colton (England, ~150 kg) |
| First cloned sheep | Dolly (July 5, 1996, Roslin Institute, Edinburgh) |
| Merino | Origin: Spain; World's highest wool production; Male: 10–14 kg/yr, Female: 7–9 kg/yr; Wrinkled skin; 80% of world's wool from Merino crosses |
| Chokla / Shekhawati | Origin: Rajasthan; India's Merino; White face, grey body; Hornless; Roman nose; Sheared twice/year |
| Karakul | Origin: Central Asia; Reared for pelt production; Pelt name: Swakara; Male 90 kg |
| Malpura | Origin: Rajasthan (Ajmer, Tonk); Meat breed; Thick, poor quality wool |
| Jaisalmeri | Origin: Jaisalmer; Rajasthan's longest and heaviest sheep; Survives 3–4 days without water; Sheared twice/year |
| Marwadi | Origin: Pali, Jodhpur; Healthiest sheep in Rajasthan; Survival rate >90%; Wool: 1.5–2.3 kg/yr |
| Sonadi / Chanothir | Origin: Udaipur; Highest milk-producing sheep (1–1.5 kg/day); Ears touch the ground; Largest body among Rajasthan breeds |
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