Hampshire

Hampshire Sheep

Breed Type: Meat Breed
Country of Origin: England
Breed Association Website: hampshires.org

The Hampshire sheep was developed from the crossing of Southdowns and Wiltshire Horn-Berkshire/Knot crosses in Hampshire County in Southern England. Later improved using a Cotswold ram followed by two of the largest and best Southdown rams, the Hampshire breed was imported to North America for the first time in 1840. After being almost entirely killed off during the Civil War, the breed was re-introduced in 1865 and, since then, these larger meat sheep have become extremely popular throughout the nation for their rapid growth, efficient feed conversion, and carcass cutability. Given good pasture, these animals are known to be adaptable to various geographic regions and are not easily startled. In addition to their high-quality carcasses, Hampshire sheep are also noted as being quite prolific and good milkers.

Breed standards state that Hampshire sheep should have dark faces and broad muzzles with an unbroken wool cap from the neck over the forehead. From the eyes down, the face should be clear with the exception of some light feathering. Wool is desirable on the legs below the knee. Structurally, Hampshire sheep are expected to have legs placed under the corners of the body with amble elevation to balance the body size with height.

Although Hampshires are not a wool breed, their dense fleeces do take dye nicely and good for hard-wearing goods. Seeing as the strong, elastic wool (24-33 microns) does not felt easily, these items may also be machine washable.


This breed presented by

Sunset Springs Farms
Brietta Latham
12708 Hessong Bridge Road
Thurmont, MD 21788
(240) 457-0440

Warm up for the Festival with Winterfest 2024!

Registration is now open for two days of virtual spinning, knitting, and fiber preparation classes to be held on February 3 and 4, 2024.

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Registration is now open for Winterfest 2024 at lessonface.com/sheepandwool!! Out third annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Winterfest is two days of virtual fiber arts seminars, to be held on on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 2024. The following instructors will be teaching fiber prep, spinning, and knitting:o Kate Atherleyo Maggie Caseyo Roy Clemeso Shana Coheno Jill Duarteo Laura Linemano Sarah Schirao Emily WohlscheidThere will be a free keynote lecture on Sunday at 12:00 pm ET. In "A Year in the Life of a Fleece Producer", Lee Langstaff of Shepherd’s Hey Farm will take you on a journey through a year at her farm in Maryland. The lecture is free, but you must sign up through Lessonface.Find full details of all the classes and register online at www.lessonface.com/sheepandwool.#MDSW #winterfest2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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Registration for Winterfest 2024 begins tomorrow, Saturday, November 18 at 12:00 pm ET. The class schedule and complete details are now available for preview at lessonface.com/sheepandwool. The "Enroll" button for each class will be activated at noon tomorrow.Out third annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Winterfest is two days of virtual fiber arts seminars, to be held on on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 2024. The following instructors will be teaching fiber prep, spinning, and knitting:o Kate Atherleyo Maggie Caseyo Roy Clemeso Shana Coheno Jill Duarteo Laura Linemano Sarah Schirao Emily WohlscheidThe keynote lecture on Sunday at 12:00 pm ET is "A Year in the Life of a Fleece Producer" by Lee Langstaff of Shepherd’s Hey Farm. Lee will take you on a journey through a year at her farm in Maryland. The lecture is free. Join the lecture by clicking the Join button that will start showing 35 minutes before the lecture time.#MDSW #winterfest2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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Announcing the third annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Winterfest, two days of virtual fiber arts seminars, on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 2024. The following instructors will be teaching fiber prep, spinning and knitting:o Kate Atherleyo Maggie Caseyo Roy Clemeso Shana Coheno Jill Duarteo Laura Linemano Sarah Schirao Emily WohlscheidYou can preview the class schedule at sheepandwool.org/winterfest-2024/. Registration will open on Saturday, November 18 at 12:00 pm ET. Complete class descriptions will be available at that time. Watch for the registration link to be posted on our website and announced on social media.#MDSW #winterfest2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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