GENERAL CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF OLDE ENGLISH BABYDOLL SHEEP
BABYDOLL Southdown sheep are known for their docile dispositions. For this reason, they are often kept as pets, but they are also used in a variety of ways such as grass mowers and w**d eaters in vineyards and orchards and 4H projects. Outstanding in vineyards and orchards, as they naturally prune the vines to the correct height and
cannot reach the grapes. They are small in stature and are easy to handle. Their small size and efficient metabolism requires less acreage per animal compared to other breeds of sheep. Thus, they are referred to as being "easy keepers." They are excellent mothers and are known for having multiple births. The BABYDOLL Southdown is known for its abundant carcass (relative to its size) and flavorful meat and is crossbred with lighter weight breeds of sheep to produce lambs of higher quality for market. They are also prized for their wool. Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep have their own registers and are different from the Southdown "classic" sheep and lambs generally shown at livestock shows, as they are smaller in size. The breed standard is not taller than 24 inches at the spine. Specific breed standards can be reviewed at each of the two of the national Olde English Babydoll Registration websites:
North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep and Association and Registry
www.nabssar.org
Olde English Babydoll Sheep Registry
www.oldeenglishbabydollregistry.com
Generally they show in 4H in their own specific, individual breed category. Some 4H groups, primarily on the east coast show them with the Southdown category. There is very limited competition in the Olde English Babydoll group at this point in time. Breeders in the upper Midwest show them in the specific breed category, and in the "all other sheep-wool category" which they generally win due to their outstanding quality wool and fleece. This breed is outstanding for 4H and livestock shows, due to its smaller size, docile nature and individual breed category.
