Portland
We currently have a large flock of Portland sheep on our holding. The breed is a rare breed and a typical representative of the old tan-faced sheep that was found throughout the southwest before the Roman invasion. Once common all over Dorset, the breed was once one of the rarest in Britain and is still at risk. It nearly became extinct in the 1970s, but has now recovered through efforts of dedicated breeders and the help of the Rare Breed Survival Trust.
Portland’s are relatively small with a white fleece and a tan coloured face. Both male and females have horns with the males heavily spiraled. Lambs are born a beautiful foxy red coat that changes in the first few months to creamy white.
The Portland’s are good for conservation grazing, as they will eat rough grasses and does browse on shrubs, they are also a hardy breed used to surviving on sparse grazing.