Menu Bottom

Portland

Portland

A relatively small heathland breed from the Dorset area. The rams have heavily spiralled horns and the ewes a half circle horn. Lambs are born with a foxy red coat which changes in the first few months to creamy white. They produce an exceptionally high quality meat and can lamb at any time of the year.

Ship-Shape Sheep

Legend has it that the Portland swam to our shores from ships of the Spanish Armada in the 16th century. But others believe they were introduced centuries earlier by the Romans. Portland meat was prized in the time of George III for its delicacy. By 1974, the breed had almost become extinct, but was rescued by the RBST in a special breeding programme.