We are providing the breed standard in accordance with The Swiss Breeding Association. To our knowledge and experience, the "breed standard" in the US is being modeled after

The Swiss Breeding Association standards.

Breed Standard

The translation of this breed standard is described below on the following link; Visit The Swiss Sheep Breeding Association, click on the Breeding Showkeeping tab, then breed standard. There you will find the official breed standard according to The Swiss Sheep Breeding Association. Click here: https://www.sszv.ch/Ueber-Uns/

Descent - Dissemination

The black-nosed sheep is a frugal landrace that is well adapted to the harsh conditions of the mountains. This unique breed is located in the Upper Valais, which means in the German-speaking part of the canton of Valais. There is evidence that this breed has existed since the 15th century. Today there are 13,700 herd bay animals. The reproduction rate is 1.6 lambs per year.

Typical breed characteristics

The black nose to the middle of the head gives the black-nosed sheep its name. The black color continues to stretch without interruption up to the eyes. Also the ears are black up to the head. In addition, we find black spots on the ankle bumps and on the front knees. In addition, the legs are short black boots. The female animals have a tail patch. Typical of the black-nosed sheep are the helical or spiral horns. The wool plays an important role, meaning that the whole body, the head and the legs should be equally well-groomed.

General Appearance

The Valais black-nosed sheep is a mountain sheep breed with a uniform volume throughout the body. The Behornung and color characteristics characterize the unique appearance of the Valais black-nosed sheep. The Valais black-nosed sheep has a harmonious, robust and großrahmigen physique.

1st type (format)

Colors Features:

Nose to the middle of the head black
black eye border, bilaterally associated with nasal colouration
black ears
black, horizontal fetter dye
even black spots on the ankle bumps and on the front knees
in females, a tail spot is desired, but this may not be too big and must be interrupted
in the male animals no tail blotching is tolerated
for females, in the absence of a feature, depending on the type and format, a deduction is made

Head and neck:

Short, dressed head
wide mouth, wide forehead and Ramsnase (ram nose)
Ears medium long
pronounced head shape in males
short, well-muscled neck

Horns:

Spiral, well set off horizontally from the cheeks
occasionally black stripes are tolerated

Chest, shoulder, withers:

Wide and deep chest
Shoulder well fitting
Withers wide and closed
good rib curvature

Back, loin:

Long, straight and wide back
wide loin

Pelvis, abdomen, club:

Belly medium and with small hunger pits
wide and medium-length pelvis
Club well muscled

Withers (from two years):

female: 72 - 78 cm (28" - 31")
male: 75 - 83 cm (30" - 33")

Weight (over two years):

Female: 70 - 90 kg (90 - 198 lbs)
male: 80 - 125 kg (125 - 276 lbs)

2nd Foundation

Limbs:

Strong and well placed
not cow-horny and not o-legged
wide-legged position of the front legs (not x-legged)

Foundation:

Mean ankle angulation
short and strong shackles
solid bone structure

Corridor:

Spacious, sure-footed and wide-legged
not wavering

3. Wool

Fineness 5 -4
Pile length over 10 cm with half year chord
balanced and natural wound all over the body, including the head and legs
uniformly white, some black hairs are tolerated on the neck (in males up to 18 months it is an exclusion reason)
balanced fleece

Exclusion

Anatomy:

Jaw: shortened lower jaw or uneven jaw length
Teeth: If teeth are not attached or adjacent to the chuck plate (up to 18 months, both male and female)
trampled fetters
dwarfism
Einhodigkeit
Testicular bag breakage