 A seven-month-old ram lamb | |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Distribution | world-wide |
| Standard | Suffolk Sheep Society |
| Use |
|
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height | |
| Skin colour | unpigmented[3] |
| Wool colour | white |
| Face colour | black[3] |
| Horn status | polled |
| |
TheSuffolk is a Britishbreed ofdomestic sheep. It originated in the late eighteenth century in the area ofBury St. Edmunds inSuffolk, as a result ofcross-breeding whenNorfolk Horn ewes were put to improvedSouthdown rams. It is apolled, black-faced breed, and is raised primarily for itsmeat. It has been exported to many countries, and is among the most numerous breeds of sheep worldwide.[4]: 923
The Suffolk originated in the area surroundingBury St. Edmunds inSuffolk in the late eighteenth century, as a result ofcross-breeding whenNorfolk Horn ewes were put to improvedSouthdown rams.[4]: 923 They were at first known as Blackfaces or Southdown-Norfolks;[5] the first use of the name "Suffolk" for these sheep dates to 1797. In 1810 it was recognised as distinct breed, but was not known by the present name until 1859.[4]: 923 Abreed society, the English Suffolk Society, was formed in 1886; aflock-book published in the following year recorded some15000 ewes.[4]: 923 By the end of the nineteenth century the Suffolk had displaced theOxford Down as the principalterminal sire used oncross-bred ewes in Scotland. By the 1980s breed numbers in the United Kingdom had risen to some500000 head, but later fell;[4]: 923 in 2020 a total population of14266 was reported.[2]
The Suffolk has been exported to many countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, the Netherlands,New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and the United States, and has become one of the most numerous sheep breeds in the world.[4]: 923 It was introduced to the United States in 1888 by one G.B. Streeter ofChazy, New York.[6] A large and long-legged sub-type has developed there; it is fast-growing, but thecarcase is of lower quality.[4]: 923
The Suffolk is a large sheep, white-woolled andpolled, with a black face and black legs free of wool.[4]: 923
Spider lamb syndrome may occur in the Suffolk breed.[7]
Suffolk rams are commonly used as aterminal sire oncross-bred ewes to produce fast-growing lambs for slaughter.[8]
