Breeding

White colored Estonian Native Sheep ewes have been used in breeding of the Estonian Dark-Headed Sheep and the Estonian White-Headed Sheep.

The breeding of the Estonian dark-headed sheep started in 1926 with importing Oxford Down and Shropshire sheep from Sweden. However was the work structured first in 1950-century by K.Jaama. K.Jaama organised and carried out the breeding and research work on both Estonian Native Sheep as well on mixed breeds resulting from using rams of Oxford Down and Shropshire and rams of Cheviot (Jaama, 1959). Estonian Dark-Headed Sheep and Estonian White-Headed Sheep were recognized as breeds in 1958. (Piirsalu & Kalda)

K.Jaama is the first researcher that made research on Estonian Native Sheep.

The breeding and research work was intensively carried out in 1951-1955. Estonian dark head sheep breeding work took place in the following regions: Rakvere (Energia), Tapa (Oktoobri Võidu, Murrangu, Punase Tähe, Esimese Mai), Väike-Maarja (Kiire, Kommunismi Tee) and Vändra. Larger amounts of Estonian Dark-Headed sheep were kept at Alatskivi state estate and at Rakvere airport. (Jaama, 1959)

When breeding Estonian Dark-Headed sheep they used white colored Estonian native sheep ewes with an even wool cover, weight about 40-50 kg and wool qualities of 58-40 kv.

Estonian native sheep that were used in breeding the Estonian Dark-Headed sheep. (Photo: K. Jaama, 1959).

Photo of an Estonian native sheep ewe used in the breeding of Estonian Dark-Headed sheep (Photo. K.Jaama, 1959).

Photo of an Estonian native sheep ewe used in the breeding of Estonian Dark-Headed sheep (Photo. K.Jaama, 1959).