Olde English 'Babydoll' Southdown sheep

The Olde English 'Babydoll' Southdown is a breed of sheep developed in the United States to reflect the original type of Southdown brought over to North America.[1] [2] [3]

Olde English 'Babydoll' Southdown

Adult Shorn Babydoll Ram
Other names	Babydoll Southdown
Country of origin	United States of America
Distribution	Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America
Standard	Babydoll Southdown Sheep Breeders Association & registry North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association & Registry Olde English "Babydoll" Southdown Sheep Registry
Use	Hobby farming, fiber art
Traits
Horn status	Hornless, polled
Sheep Ovis aries

To meet consumer demand in the early 19th century, farmers in the US and UK began breeding Southdowns that could produce larger cuts of meat. This led to a separate line of sheep that were bigger and leggier, and while flocks of the original type remained, their numbers decreased throughout the 1900s.

In 1986, Robert Mock set about searching the United States for sheep that fit this original type, and by 1990 had found 350 suitable animals. These sheep became the foundation flock of the breed, and he set up a registry for them in 1991, naming them 'Olde English Babydoll Southdowns'.

Babydoll Ram in full wool (Unsheared) with adult chicken (Orpington) on his back, and a Royal Palm Tom Turkey beside him (female turkey in background) for size comparison. The sheep in background is an adult female Babydoll (ewe). The ram is the same as in photo above.

Babydoll Southdowns are a small-framed sheep with short legs. They are known for their teddy bear-shaped face and their 'smile'. Both ewes and rams are polled.

They have docile temperaments, and the ewes have good mothering ability.

'Babydoll' Southdowns are kept as pets and have found success as weeders in vineyards and orchards. They produce a 19-22 micron wool that is highly barbed, ideal for blending with other fibers.[1]