Shetland Sheep
Shetlands are small wool producing sheep from the Shetland Islands of Scotland. They are a multi-purpose breed kept for wool, meat and conservation grazing. The Shetland Flock Book Society was formed in 1927 and this remains the body responsible for the protection of the breed in the Shetland Islands. They are a good breed for new shepherds as they are of a smaller build and love attention, especially some chin scratching!
Shetland fleece is among the softest and finest of the UK breeds, with an average micron of ~23. The breed is also known for the various colors. Eleven main colors are recognized by the breed association, most including many different shades: light grey, grey, white, emsket (dusky bluish-grey), musket (light greyish-brown), shaela (dark steely-grey), black, fawn, moorit (reddish brown), mioget (honey-toned, yellowish-brown), and dark brown)
The locks are pointed and triangular in shape with very ‘good’ crimp (wider at the base)
There are both single and double coated Shetlands, and some even shed their wool, though typically sheared regardless often resulting in a natural, and to be expected, break in the fleece.
The fine undercoat is crimped whereas the longer coat is typically wavy to nearly straight.
There is some variety of fleece characteristics but typically:
2-5 lb-fleece/year
65-80% yield
2-6″ staple
20-30 micron
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