Minor Breed

Jacob

Posted: April 11, 2021

Breed Type: Minor Breed
Country of Origin: England
Breed Association Websites:
jsba.org
jacobsheepconservancy.com

Jacob sheep are a primitive (unimproved), multi-horned, spotted sheep. Jacobs are small in stature, with mature ewes weighing 80-120 pounds, and rams weighing 120-180 pounds. The Jacob breed was developed about 400 years ago in England, where the sheep were kept at just a few large estates. The name Jacob was applied only in the last century (probably because of the reference to spotted sheep in the Biblical story of Jacob). Before that, they were known as piebald (spotted or patched) sheep.

Horns: Both males and females are horned, generally one or two pairs, with some rams and ewes having up to six horns. The ram has larger and more striking horns. The two-horned ram has the classic horizontal double curled horn. The four-horned ram has two vertical center horns, which may be up to two feet or more in length, and two smaller side horns, which grow down along the sides of the ram’s head. The horns on the ewe are smaller in diameter, shorter in length and appear more delicate than those of the ram.

Markings: The Jacob is a white sheep with black spots. …