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BY-LAWS
BREED STANDARDS and REGISTRATION REQUIRMENTS
These are the standards that all breeders should do their best to have as breeding
goals. Some standards are required for registration and a complete list of standards
which are required for registration is listed afterwards.
Traits discriminated against, traits which are suggested to be used minimally in
breeding the sheep, are a fault and are not a disqualification and animals exhibiting
faults in one area or another are still able to be registered. An animal displaying a trait
that is listed as a disqualification is NOT able to be registered or recorded. Sheep
which do not exhibit the requirements for registrations are considered to be
disqualified and not eligible for registration.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The General Character and Appearance of the Sheep represented by the United
Horned Hair Sheep Association, Inc., should be one of a noble animal. The sheep
should look like an athlete with a lean, sleek form. The sheep are not purely a meat
breed but are more for multiple markets (Click Here for more information about
multiple markets) and may not necessarily weigh nor exhibit the deep and heavy
muscling of sheep which are considered purely meat breeds.
HEAD:
Should be well balanced and proportional to the body and held high when the sheep
is alerted. Ewes should have a more feminine face and features than the rams.
The back of the head of mature rams may display a slight to extreme rounded hump
behind the horn base. This is part of the rams’ physical frame which helps cushion the
brain during any sparring.
NOSE:
Young lambs typically have a straight profile.
As ewes age, some may display a slight roman nose (elevated area on the nose
bridge seen when viewed from the side profile) while many will maintain the straight
profile.
As the rams age, a slight to moderate roman nose (elevated area on the nose bridge
seen when viewed from the side profile) may be displayed. One may note a bigger
elevation on the nose bridge during times association with breeding cycles or during
an increase in sparring activity among rams.
The nose and muzzle area are generally lighter in color than the body of the sheep.
This lightness combined with lighter legs than body leads many to call these Red Dalls
or Champagne Dalls. The lighter color areas do not have a definite perimeter where
the light color (sometimes totally white) ends. It is more of a blending of the colors
leading to a gradually lighter color.
Sometimes, the sheep, including the nose and muzzle area are almost a solid color
similar to the body of the sheep or a shade darker.
Nose pads of most Desert Sand Sheep are generally pink with some light
pigmentation around the nostrils. The type of Desert Sand with lighter to white faces
should have pink nose pads while the solid sheep may exhibit some darker nose
pads. There may be varying degrees of pigmentation around on the eyelid margin.
No distinct black spots or other distinct spotting on the nose or nose pads is allowed.
COAT:
Desert Sand Sheep are considered a hair or shedding sheep. These sheep actually
have two coats: a hair type coat and usually a more wooly undercoat. The undercoat
may resemble a thicker hair to a more wool type look and texture. This undercoat
grows during cool weather and will naturally shed off when warmer weather arrives.
In colder climates, some sheep may exhibit a fuller winter undercoat; however, the
undercoat should completely shed off without shearing when warm weather arrives
with the exceptions of lambs and some yearlings.
The ability of the sheep to grow and shed the undercoat, may lead to only partial
shedding for a time in various climates. A complete shedding generally occurs by May,
June or early July. The exact time for a complete and natural shedding depends on
the climate. Lambs and some yearlings may not shed totally till the next year.
Desert Sand Sheep with possible close Mouflon breed influence, may have a slight
shedding of coarse guard hairs in the fall, dependent of the climate.
The complete and natural shedding ability is important in maintaining ease of care
and a lack of such shedding may be indicative of parent breeds in the background
that are not desirable or of having wool parent breeds in the recent background.
COAT COLORS:
Desert Sand Sheep generally have a dark body, ranging from light champagne, light
cinnamon, to light copper with gradually lighter colored faces and legs and belly.
Some sheep may have a more overall solid color and be medium to dark champagne,
cinnamon, or copper.
There should be no distinct spotting of any color other than white saddle patches for
sheep with strong Mouflon influence. Color changes should be gradual. Distinct
spotting, other than the white saddle patches which are allowed, is a disqualification
for registration as a Desert Sand. Instead, the sheep could possibly be registered as
a Painted Desert.
COAT PATTERN:
Category 11: Two-Toned. The sheep generally exhibits a darker body with a
gradual lightening of color so that the extremities and/or face are white or
almost white.
Category 12: Solid. The sheep has an overall solid color and does not display
lighter face and/or extremities.
EARS:
Ears should be parallel to the ground or at slightly higher angles. A very slight angle
below parallel to the ground is noticeable at times; however, the ears should become
parallel to the ground or higher when on alert.
While at birth, lambs may display droopy ears, especially those who are part of a
multiple birth; however, the ear(s) should straighten up within a few days. Otherwise,
ears must not droop enough to be considered floppy. Such ears would tend to
indicate cross-breeding in the background of the sheep. Naturally occurring (not due
to injury or other difficulties) droopy ears are a disqualification for registration.
Ears generally should come to a slight point at the tip and not be completely rounded
in shape. Elf ears (ears with external cartilage which is generally 1/2 inch to 3 inches
in length and exhibiting a more v-shaped ear) and Gopher ears (ears without visible
extenal cartilage or with less than 1/2 inch) are acceptable. Natural ears may vary in
length but are generally in the range of 3 - 4 inches. Abbreviations used within the
registry are as such: E indicating Elf Ears, G indicating Gopher Ears, and N indicating
Natural Ears.
EYES:
Eyes should be bright and alert and must be free from genetic eyelid defects such as
Entropion.
The color of the eyes vary from dark brown, golden brown to amber.
INCISOR TEETH:
Incisor teeth should meet the dental pad. A severe and distinct space between the
incisor teeth and the dental pad is a disqualification.
Sheep should not have an extreme overbite (parrot mouth) or underbite (monkey jaw).
CLICK HERE to learn how to estimate the age of your sheep by looking at the teeth!
NECK:
Neck should continue from the head and gradually lead into the shoulders and be
gracefully held when sheep are alert.
A ewe’s neck will be graceful and proportional in size based on the ewe‘s overall frame.
A ram’s neck will be thicker and more muscular than a ewe‘s neck in appearance and
to the touch. During the Fall or cooler weather, rams may display an increase in hair
and undercoat growth around the neck area which will make the neck look much
larger.
MANE:
Mature rams will display a mane in the winter. Some rams will shed the mane
completely in the summer while others will retain the mane. Some ewes may also have
a short mane.
A ram’s mane may be varied in length from short to long, some even almost touching
the ground when in full winter coat. Some manes may be much shorter and hang just
a couple of inches below the bottom line of the chest. A ram with no mane at any time
is a severe fault and is discriminated against.
SHOULDERS AND WITHERS:
The shoulders should be developed and muscled proportionally to the size of the
sheep. They should flow into the ribs (well laid into the ribs).
The withers (area between the shoulder blades along the top line) may be elevated
with rams exhibiting a more pronounced and higher elevated wither. Some sheep may
have a completely straight topline and no elevation at the withers.
CHEST:
The width of the chest of most Desert Sand Sheep will be narrow to moderate with a
more athletic look - proportional to the size of the sheep.
The width of the front of the sheep should not be greater than the width of the back of
the sheep to facilitate lambing.
BACK:
Continuing after a smooth transition from straight or elevated withers, the back should
be strong, level and relatively smooth. The Back may tend in width to look lean, sleek,
and athletic.
The back is proportioned to the height of the sheep and is generally not longer than
the height.
RIBS AND ABDOMEN:
Ribs should be well sprung. Abdomen should allow for multiple births and be
proportional for smaller sized ewes; however, Mouflon sheep and high content
Mouflon ewes are primarily shaped and geared toward single births.
BOTTOM LINE:
The bottom line should not be tucked in at the fore flank nor the rear flank.
LEGS:
The Legs should be sound and proportioned to size of individual sheep. Sheep will
have long athletic legs, usually longer than body height from bottom line to top line.
Rams will generally have thicker legs then ewes.
Legs should have a conformationally correct appearance. Front legs should not be
knock kneed, bowlegged, buck-kneed or calf kneed. Rear Legs should not be cow
hocked, sickle hocked or post legged. Lower Legs on both front and rear legs should
not toe in (angle inward/pigeon toed) or toe out (angle outward/splayfooted) too
much. Pasterns should be strong and correct.
A nice four square stance is desired with legs standing nicely inline with the body of
the sheep.
RUMP:
Continuing from the back, the rump should exhibit a gradually angled slope to the
dock.
Size and muscling of rump are proportional to the size of the overall sheep.
THIGH:
The Thigh should be well developed in proportion to the size of the sheep. Black
Hawaiian Sheep may not display the depth and heavy muscling of some sheep breeds
developed purely for fast gain and high weights (meat) at an early age.
TWIST:
The twist is the junction where the insides of the thighs meet. To compare sheep as
far as meat capability, the measurement of the depth of the twist may be taken. To
measure the depth of the twist, one can place hands at the top of the tail and at the
crotch. This measurement assists especially in judging of pure meat sheep breeds
and shows the depth of muscling in this area.
The Desert Sand Sheep tend toward the depth of the twist being minimal to
moderately deep. The Twist should be muscled proportional to the size and frame of
the individual sheep.
UDDER:
A ewe’s udder should be well proportioned and relatively symmetrical and have only
two teats. A ewe with more than two teats is discriminated against. The teats should
be free of obvious defects affecting function.
SCROTUM:
Both Testicles should be uniform and symmetrical, free of obvious deformities.
Testicles should be well sized and the scrotum itself should also be free of obvious
deformities.
TAIL:
Tail lengths vary. Shorter tails are preferred. Tails should not be “round” and should
be more “flat“.
A tail that is reaching to the hocks is discriminated against. A tail past the hocks is a
disqualification from registration in the United Horned Hair Sheep Association, Inc.
HOOF:
Hooves should be well formed and kept free of deformities and disease.
Desert Sand Sheep hooves should be white to dark cream or light brown in color.
HORNS:
All rams must grow and display horns, however, both polled (hornless) and horned
ewes are acceptable as are ewes with scurs. Some breeders prefer not to have scurs
on their sheep due to scurs being easily knocked off and bleeding that could occur.
Rams with scurs are not eligible for registration. To be registered, ram lambs out of
unregistered parents will need to exhibit horns in submitted registration photographs.
HORN DISTANCE FROM FACE:
In general, wide horns (horns with plenty of room from the face) are preferred over
horns that may grow close to the face and eventually touch the face. Some flock
owners and breeders prefer horns which are a little closer to face (more heart
shaped) or have tight curls while other flock owners prefer horns which have much
wider areas between the face and the horns or less tight curls (horns almost sticking
straight out).
Filing or training of the horns to prevent horns from touching the face is acceptable
and will not prevent the ram from being registered. However, such activities should
always be disclosed in a honest manner to potential customers.
HORN SHAPE AND TYPE OF HORNS:
Horns can be of varying shapes. Some may be wider than others at the “tips“.
Ewes’ horns really do not take on shapes as the rams’ horns. They sometimes can be
curved outward or backward. To indicate Horned Ewes in the registry, HE is the
abbreviation used.
HORN LENGTH
A mature ram’s horn lengths vary based on actual age, individual ram (genetics),
areas of the country (environment and weather), nutrition and health. Growth rate
(rate at which the horns grow) is also dependent upon some of the above factors.
Horns generally slow down during late winter/early spring unless fed to overcome the
slowdown; however, the average overall growth rate for horns for young rams is 1 inch
per month for the first two years. Some rams may seem to get a good start with quick
growing horns while others horns grow slower but then catch up as the ram matures.
Mature rams usually display 20 - 29 inch length horns to measurements in the 30 - 39
range. Horns generally turn outward. Bases on mature rams generally run 8 to 9
inches in circumference. Ten inches in circumference of the base of mature rams’
horns also can be found. Eleven inches in basal circumference (base measurements)
for each horn is exceptional.
Some breeders will prefer larger base measurements as the horns grow out from the
bases and with larger base measurements, the belief is, the better future opportunity
for growth exists.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO MEASURE AND SCORE YOUR RAM'S HORNS
HORN COLOR:
While shapes and lengths of the sheep breeds represented by UHHSA, Inc., are
similar, certain breeds prefer certain colors of horns. For the Desert Sand Sheep,
horns should tend toward the light to medium shades of coloring. With age, the horns
may appear washed out. Black colored and highly contrasted variegated horns are a
disqualification.
SIZE:
The average height of the Desert Sand Sheep is often similar to the Texas Dall
Sheep. For the ewes is 20 - 27 inches at the withers and 21 - 31 inches at the withers
for rams. Individual sheep may be outside of the range and there is no fault or
disqualification for above or below average heights.
WEIGHT:
The weight of the sheep varies and individual sheep may weigh outside the range.
Ewes may weigh 60 - 150 lbs with an average of 70 - 100 lbs. Rams generally weigh
from 75 - 200 pounds with an average of 100 lbs.
BACKGROUND/HERITAGE:
Desert Sand Sheep are a naturally shedding, generally light to dark shades of
champagne, cinnamon or copper colored sheep with Mouflon Sheep influence in
ancestry. All rams must have horns, and the ewes are allowed to have horns although
most ewes are polled. Rams must not exhibit scurs instead of horns, while ewes with
scurs are acceptable.
Desert Sand Sheep have been called Red Dalls and Champagne Dalls. To some the
different coloring and lighter face and extremities are just a color phase of the all white
Texas Dalls. To others, the different coloring is indicative of something other than the
pure white of the Texas Dall sheep in the background, such as possibly some Black
Hawaiian or American Blackbelly or close Mouflon influence.
The Sheep should not contain, to the best knowledge of the owner, any polled blood
or other types of polled bloodlines, including but not limited to Dorper, Katahdin, and
St. Croix sheep breeds. Horned Ancestry bloodlines accepted are Texas Dall,
Mouflon, American Blackbelly, Corsican, Black Hawaiian, Horned Rambouliet, Merino,
or Navajo Churro. Because of the chance for spotting, it is suggested that the parent
wool breeds which may produce spotting in the progeny not be used. It is not a
disqualification at this time to have sheep with Jacob (a spotted wool breed) or
Painted Desert Sheep in the pedigrees; however, the goal is to produce sheep with
the coloring of the Desert Sand Sheep and the spotted genetics might interfere with
that goal.
While the original crosses occurred several decades ago, some breeders may wish to
create new bloodlines using one or more of the parent wool breeds. To be registered,
Desert Sand sheep must consist of 1/8th or less of parent wool breeds and meet all
other breed standards.
Desert Sand Sheep which are directly bred from wool lines and include only the listed
parent wool sheep breeds, must completely shed and additional pictures showing the
completely shed sheep may be required for registration if the pictures submitted does
not clearly show the sheep shedding or having shed.
Information about any known background of the ancestral breeds should be included
in pedigrees with their percentages of the breeds noted to assist breeders in choosing
bloodlines. If a sheep is unregistered, the animal should be clearly labeled as
unregistered. This information should include any known wool breeds in the bloodlines.
NON STANDARD COLOR PRODUCING DESERT SAND SHEEP
What to do when sheep which are registered as Desert Sand when mated with
another Desert Sand Sheep, produces non-standard coloring. Are these color
producers then still considered Desert Sand Sheep or are the offspring simply
expressing a color phase? For UHHSA and the Desert Sand Sheep Registry Division
purposes at this time, a Desert Sand Sheep will be defined as a light to dark colored
champagne, cinnamon, or copper colored sheep which, when bred to the same
normally produces the same standard coloring and which has no known spotting
genetics in the known pedigrees of the sheep.
While some market opportunities do not require such distinction, for registration and
breeding purposes of a Desert Sand Sheep, production of spotting and color
variances in addition to the allowable colors listed above should matter and is highly
discriminated against. Animals displaying nonstandard coloring will not be eligible for
registration as a Desert Sand Sheep. UHHSA and the Desert Sand Registry expects it’
s members to fully disclose any known spotting or other non standard coloring that
exists in their Desert Sand Flocks and work on minimizing spotting and the chance for
spotting or other non standard coloring to the best of their abilities.
While each shepherd needs to make decisions on their flock management, it is
strongly suggested that if a registered ram or registered ewe is shown to produce
nonstandard coloring with different mates, that sheep be removed from the Desert
Sand breeding program.
If Any Sheep are produced which do not meet the color standards for the Desert Sand
Registry, PLEASE consider registering them with the Painted Desert Registry division
of UHHSA if they match the Painted Desert Breed Standard or another division within
UHHSA if they match the division’s Breed Standards.
TRAITS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION:
TRAITS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST (considered a fault):
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
NOTES:
Sheep with Disqualifying traits are not eligible for registration and will be denied
registration. Excessive Discriminating traits of an individual sheep may render that
sheep ineligible for registration if, at the inspectors and board of directors discretion,
such traits seriously challenge the breed identity.
BREED STANDARDS and REGISTRATION REQUIRMENTS
These are the standards that all breeders should do their best to have as breeding
goals. Some standards are required for registration and a complete list of standards
which are required for registration is listed afterwards.
Traits discriminated against, traits which are suggested to be used minimally in
breeding the sheep, are a fault and are not a disqualification and animals exhibiting
faults in one area or another are still able to be registered. An animal displaying a trait
that is listed as a disqualification is NOT able to be registered or recorded. Sheep
which do not exhibit the requirements for registrations are considered to be
disqualified and not eligible for registration.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The General Character and Appearance of the Sheep represented by the United
Horned Hair Sheep Association, Inc., should be one of a noble animal. The sheep
should look like an athlete with a lean, sleek form. The sheep are not purely a meat
breed but are more for multiple markets (Click Here for more information about
multiple markets) and may not necessarily weigh nor exhibit the deep and heavy
muscling of sheep which are considered purely meat breeds.
HEAD:
Should be well balanced and proportional to the body and held high when the sheep
is alerted. Ewes should have a more feminine face and features than the rams.
The back of the head of mature rams may display a slight to extreme rounded hump
behind the horn base. This is part of the rams’ physical frame which helps cushion the
brain during any sparring.
NOSE:
Young lambs typically have a straight profile.
As ewes age, some may display a slight roman nose (elevated area on the nose
bridge seen when viewed from the side profile) while many will maintain the straight
profile.
As the rams age, a slight to moderate roman nose (elevated area on the nose bridge
seen when viewed from the side profile) may be displayed. One may note a bigger
elevation on the nose bridge during times association with breeding cycles or during
an increase in sparring activity among rams.
The nose and muzzle area are generally lighter in color than the body of the sheep.
This lightness combined with lighter legs than body leads many to call these Red Dalls
or Champagne Dalls. The lighter color areas do not have a definite perimeter where
the light color (sometimes totally white) ends. It is more of a blending of the colors
leading to a gradually lighter color.
Sometimes, the sheep, including the nose and muzzle area are almost a solid color
similar to the body of the sheep or a shade darker.
Nose pads of most Desert Sand Sheep are generally pink with some light
pigmentation around the nostrils. The type of Desert Sand with lighter to white faces
should have pink nose pads while the solid sheep may exhibit some darker nose
pads. There may be varying degrees of pigmentation around on the eyelid margin.
No distinct black spots or other distinct spotting on the nose or nose pads is allowed.
COAT:
Desert Sand Sheep are considered a hair or shedding sheep. These sheep actually
have two coats: a hair type coat and usually a more wooly undercoat. The undercoat
may resemble a thicker hair to a more wool type look and texture. This undercoat
grows during cool weather and will naturally shed off when warmer weather arrives.
In colder climates, some sheep may exhibit a fuller winter undercoat; however, the
undercoat should completely shed off without shearing when warm weather arrives
with the exceptions of lambs and some yearlings.
The ability of the sheep to grow and shed the undercoat, may lead to only partial
shedding for a time in various climates. A complete shedding generally occurs by May,
June or early July. The exact time for a complete and natural shedding depends on
the climate. Lambs and some yearlings may not shed totally till the next year.
Desert Sand Sheep with possible close Mouflon breed influence, may have a slight
shedding of coarse guard hairs in the fall, dependent of the climate.
The complete and natural shedding ability is important in maintaining ease of care
and a lack of such shedding may be indicative of parent breeds in the background
that are not desirable or of having wool parent breeds in the recent background.
COAT COLORS:
Desert Sand Sheep generally have a dark body, ranging from light champagne, light
cinnamon, to light copper with gradually lighter colored faces and legs and belly.
Some sheep may have a more overall solid color and be medium to dark champagne,
cinnamon, or copper.
There should be no distinct spotting of any color other than white saddle patches for
sheep with strong Mouflon influence. Color changes should be gradual. Distinct
spotting, other than the white saddle patches which are allowed, is a disqualification
for registration as a Desert Sand. Instead, the sheep could possibly be registered as
a Painted Desert.
COAT PATTERN:
Category 11: Two-Toned. The sheep generally exhibits a darker body with a
gradual lightening of color so that the extremities and/or face are white or
almost white.
Category 12: Solid. The sheep has an overall solid color and does not display
lighter face and/or extremities.
EARS:
Ears should be parallel to the ground or at slightly higher angles. A very slight angle
below parallel to the ground is noticeable at times; however, the ears should become
parallel to the ground or higher when on alert.
While at birth, lambs may display droopy ears, especially those who are part of a
multiple birth; however, the ear(s) should straighten up within a few days. Otherwise,
ears must not droop enough to be considered floppy. Such ears would tend to
indicate cross-breeding in the background of the sheep. Naturally occurring (not due
to injury or other difficulties) droopy ears are a disqualification for registration.
Ears generally should come to a slight point at the tip and not be completely rounded
in shape. Elf ears (ears with external cartilage which is generally 1/2 inch to 3 inches
in length and exhibiting a more v-shaped ear) and Gopher ears (ears without visible
extenal cartilage or with less than 1/2 inch) are acceptable. Natural ears may vary in
length but are generally in the range of 3 - 4 inches. Abbreviations used within the
registry are as such: E indicating Elf Ears, G indicating Gopher Ears, and N indicating
Natural Ears.
EYES:
Eyes should be bright and alert and must be free from genetic eyelid defects such as
Entropion.
The color of the eyes vary from dark brown, golden brown to amber.
INCISOR TEETH:
Incisor teeth should meet the dental pad. A severe and distinct space between the
incisor teeth and the dental pad is a disqualification.
Sheep should not have an extreme overbite (parrot mouth) or underbite (monkey jaw).
CLICK HERE to learn how to estimate the age of your sheep by looking at the teeth!
NECK:
Neck should continue from the head and gradually lead into the shoulders and be
gracefully held when sheep are alert.
A ewe’s neck will be graceful and proportional in size based on the ewe‘s overall frame.
A ram’s neck will be thicker and more muscular than a ewe‘s neck in appearance and
to the touch. During the Fall or cooler weather, rams may display an increase in hair
and undercoat growth around the neck area which will make the neck look much
larger.
MANE:
Mature rams will display a mane in the winter. Some rams will shed the mane
completely in the summer while others will retain the mane. Some ewes may also have
a short mane.
A ram’s mane may be varied in length from short to long, some even almost touching
the ground when in full winter coat. Some manes may be much shorter and hang just
a couple of inches below the bottom line of the chest. A ram with no mane at any time
is a severe fault and is discriminated against.
SHOULDERS AND WITHERS:
The shoulders should be developed and muscled proportionally to the size of the
sheep. They should flow into the ribs (well laid into the ribs).
The withers (area between the shoulder blades along the top line) may be elevated
with rams exhibiting a more pronounced and higher elevated wither. Some sheep may
have a completely straight topline and no elevation at the withers.
CHEST:
The width of the chest of most Desert Sand Sheep will be narrow to moderate with a
more athletic look - proportional to the size of the sheep.
The width of the front of the sheep should not be greater than the width of the back of
the sheep to facilitate lambing.
BACK:
Continuing after a smooth transition from straight or elevated withers, the back should
be strong, level and relatively smooth. The Back may tend in width to look lean, sleek,
and athletic.
The back is proportioned to the height of the sheep and is generally not longer than
the height.
RIBS AND ABDOMEN:
Ribs should be well sprung. Abdomen should allow for multiple births and be
proportional for smaller sized ewes; however, Mouflon sheep and high content
Mouflon ewes are primarily shaped and geared toward single births.
BOTTOM LINE:
The bottom line should not be tucked in at the fore flank nor the rear flank.
LEGS:
The Legs should be sound and proportioned to size of individual sheep. Sheep will
have long athletic legs, usually longer than body height from bottom line to top line.
Rams will generally have thicker legs then ewes.
Legs should have a conformationally correct appearance. Front legs should not be
knock kneed, bowlegged, buck-kneed or calf kneed. Rear Legs should not be cow
hocked, sickle hocked or post legged. Lower Legs on both front and rear legs should
not toe in (angle inward/pigeon toed) or toe out (angle outward/splayfooted) too
much. Pasterns should be strong and correct.
A nice four square stance is desired with legs standing nicely inline with the body of
the sheep.
RUMP:
Continuing from the back, the rump should exhibit a gradually angled slope to the
dock.
Size and muscling of rump are proportional to the size of the overall sheep.
THIGH:
The Thigh should be well developed in proportion to the size of the sheep. Black
Hawaiian Sheep may not display the depth and heavy muscling of some sheep breeds
developed purely for fast gain and high weights (meat) at an early age.
TWIST:
The twist is the junction where the insides of the thighs meet. To compare sheep as
far as meat capability, the measurement of the depth of the twist may be taken. To
measure the depth of the twist, one can place hands at the top of the tail and at the
crotch. This measurement assists especially in judging of pure meat sheep breeds
and shows the depth of muscling in this area.
The Desert Sand Sheep tend toward the depth of the twist being minimal to
moderately deep. The Twist should be muscled proportional to the size and frame of
the individual sheep.
UDDER:
A ewe’s udder should be well proportioned and relatively symmetrical and have only
two teats. A ewe with more than two teats is discriminated against. The teats should
be free of obvious defects affecting function.
SCROTUM:
Both Testicles should be uniform and symmetrical, free of obvious deformities.
Testicles should be well sized and the scrotum itself should also be free of obvious
deformities.
TAIL:
Tail lengths vary. Shorter tails are preferred. Tails should not be “round” and should
be more “flat“.
A tail that is reaching to the hocks is discriminated against. A tail past the hocks is a
disqualification from registration in the United Horned Hair Sheep Association, Inc.
HOOF:
Hooves should be well formed and kept free of deformities and disease.
Desert Sand Sheep hooves should be white to dark cream or light brown in color.
HORNS:
All rams must grow and display horns, however, both polled (hornless) and horned
ewes are acceptable as are ewes with scurs. Some breeders prefer not to have scurs
on their sheep due to scurs being easily knocked off and bleeding that could occur.
Rams with scurs are not eligible for registration. To be registered, ram lambs out of
unregistered parents will need to exhibit horns in submitted registration photographs.
HORN DISTANCE FROM FACE:
In general, wide horns (horns with plenty of room from the face) are preferred over
horns that may grow close to the face and eventually touch the face. Some flock
owners and breeders prefer horns which are a little closer to face (more heart
shaped) or have tight curls while other flock owners prefer horns which have much
wider areas between the face and the horns or less tight curls (horns almost sticking
straight out).
Filing or training of the horns to prevent horns from touching the face is acceptable
and will not prevent the ram from being registered. However, such activities should
always be disclosed in a honest manner to potential customers.
HORN SHAPE AND TYPE OF HORNS:
Horns can be of varying shapes. Some may be wider than others at the “tips“.
Ewes’ horns really do not take on shapes as the rams’ horns. They sometimes can be
curved outward or backward. To indicate Horned Ewes in the registry, HE is the
abbreviation used.
HORN LENGTH
A mature ram’s horn lengths vary based on actual age, individual ram (genetics),
areas of the country (environment and weather), nutrition and health. Growth rate
(rate at which the horns grow) is also dependent upon some of the above factors.
Horns generally slow down during late winter/early spring unless fed to overcome the
slowdown; however, the average overall growth rate for horns for young rams is 1 inch
per month for the first two years. Some rams may seem to get a good start with quick
growing horns while others horns grow slower but then catch up as the ram matures.
Mature rams usually display 20 - 29 inch length horns to measurements in the 30 - 39
range. Horns generally turn outward. Bases on mature rams generally run 8 to 9
inches in circumference. Ten inches in circumference of the base of mature rams’
horns also can be found. Eleven inches in basal circumference (base measurements)
for each horn is exceptional.
Some breeders will prefer larger base measurements as the horns grow out from the
bases and with larger base measurements, the belief is, the better future opportunity
for growth exists.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO MEASURE AND SCORE YOUR RAM'S HORNS
HORN COLOR:
While shapes and lengths of the sheep breeds represented by UHHSA, Inc., are
similar, certain breeds prefer certain colors of horns. For the Desert Sand Sheep,
horns should tend toward the light to medium shades of coloring. With age, the horns
may appear washed out. Black colored and highly contrasted variegated horns are a
disqualification.
SIZE:
The average height of the Desert Sand Sheep is often similar to the Texas Dall
Sheep. For the ewes is 20 - 27 inches at the withers and 21 - 31 inches at the withers
for rams. Individual sheep may be outside of the range and there is no fault or
disqualification for above or below average heights.
WEIGHT:
The weight of the sheep varies and individual sheep may weigh outside the range.
Ewes may weigh 60 - 150 lbs with an average of 70 - 100 lbs. Rams generally weigh
from 75 - 200 pounds with an average of 100 lbs.
BACKGROUND/HERITAGE:
Desert Sand Sheep are a naturally shedding, generally light to dark shades of
champagne, cinnamon or copper colored sheep with Mouflon Sheep influence in
ancestry. All rams must have horns, and the ewes are allowed to have horns although
most ewes are polled. Rams must not exhibit scurs instead of horns, while ewes with
scurs are acceptable.
Desert Sand Sheep have been called Red Dalls and Champagne Dalls. To some the
different coloring and lighter face and extremities are just a color phase of the all white
Texas Dalls. To others, the different coloring is indicative of something other than the
pure white of the Texas Dall sheep in the background, such as possibly some Black
Hawaiian or American Blackbelly or close Mouflon influence.
The Sheep should not contain, to the best knowledge of the owner, any polled blood
or other types of polled bloodlines, including but not limited to Dorper, Katahdin, and
St. Croix sheep breeds. Horned Ancestry bloodlines accepted are Texas Dall,
Mouflon, American Blackbelly, Corsican, Black Hawaiian, Horned Rambouliet, Merino,
or Navajo Churro. Because of the chance for spotting, it is suggested that the parent
wool breeds which may produce spotting in the progeny not be used. It is not a
disqualification at this time to have sheep with Jacob (a spotted wool breed) or
Painted Desert Sheep in the pedigrees; however, the goal is to produce sheep with
the coloring of the Desert Sand Sheep and the spotted genetics might interfere with
that goal.
While the original crosses occurred several decades ago, some breeders may wish to
create new bloodlines using one or more of the parent wool breeds. To be registered,
Desert Sand sheep must consist of 1/8th or less of parent wool breeds and meet all
other breed standards.
Desert Sand Sheep which are directly bred from wool lines and include only the listed
parent wool sheep breeds, must completely shed and additional pictures showing the
completely shed sheep may be required for registration if the pictures submitted does
not clearly show the sheep shedding or having shed.
Information about any known background of the ancestral breeds should be included
in pedigrees with their percentages of the breeds noted to assist breeders in choosing
bloodlines. If a sheep is unregistered, the animal should be clearly labeled as
unregistered. This information should include any known wool breeds in the bloodlines.
NON STANDARD COLOR PRODUCING DESERT SAND SHEEP
What to do when sheep which are registered as Desert Sand when mated with
another Desert Sand Sheep, produces non-standard coloring. Are these color
producers then still considered Desert Sand Sheep or are the offspring simply
expressing a color phase? For UHHSA and the Desert Sand Sheep Registry Division
purposes at this time, a Desert Sand Sheep will be defined as a light to dark colored
champagne, cinnamon, or copper colored sheep which, when bred to the same
normally produces the same standard coloring and which has no known spotting
genetics in the known pedigrees of the sheep.
While some market opportunities do not require such distinction, for registration and
breeding purposes of a Desert Sand Sheep, production of spotting and color
variances in addition to the allowable colors listed above should matter and is highly
discriminated against. Animals displaying nonstandard coloring will not be eligible for
registration as a Desert Sand Sheep. UHHSA and the Desert Sand Registry expects it’
s members to fully disclose any known spotting or other non standard coloring that
exists in their Desert Sand Flocks and work on minimizing spotting and the chance for
spotting or other non standard coloring to the best of their abilities.
While each shepherd needs to make decisions on their flock management, it is
strongly suggested that if a registered ram or registered ewe is shown to produce
nonstandard coloring with different mates, that sheep be removed from the Desert
Sand breeding program.
If Any Sheep are produced which do not meet the color standards for the Desert Sand
Registry, PLEASE consider registering them with the Painted Desert Registry division
of UHHSA if they match the Painted Desert Breed Standard or another division within
UHHSA if they match the division’s Breed Standards.
TRAITS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION:
- Rams must have horns
- Light to dark shades of Champagne, Cinnamon, and Copper
- No distinct black spots or other distinct spotting on the nose or nose pads or
body, however white saddle patches from strong Mouflon influence is allowed - Known background of only Texas Dall, Desert Sand (Red Dalls, Champagne
Dalls), Mouflon, and wool parent breeds of Horned Rambouilet, Merino, and
Navajo Churro - At this time Jacob wool ancestry as well as Hair ancestry of Black Hawaiian,
American Blackbelly, Corsican, and Painted Desert is accepted - 1/8th or less of wool parent breeds
- Sheep at maturity normally exhibiting shedding ability
TRAITS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST (considered a fault):
- Rams’ horns which touch the face at maturity
- For multi horned animals - fused horns
- Extra Teats on ewes
- Slight under or over bite, with teeth just barely touching the edge of the dental
pad - Sheep which do not shed out completely at maturity on a normal basis
- Mature rams with no mane at any time
- Tails reaching to the hocks
- Sheep with close spotting genetics
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
- Sheep with known recent polled bloodlines
- Rams which are polled or have scurs at maturity
- Tails past the hocks
- Docked tails
- Sheep with more than 1/8th known wool breeding from the parent breeds -
Horned Rambouliet, Merino, Navajo Churro, or Jacob - Sheep with any known wool breeding from any non-parent wool breed
- Hermaphroditism
- One or both testicles not descended
- Severe under or over bite, with distinct space between teeth and edge of dental
pad - Evidence of cross breeding shown by physical appearance of breeds which are
not included in the history or background of Desert Sand Sheep such as
Suffolk, Hampshire, Dorper, Katahdin, St Croix, etc. - Entropion (inverted eye lids) or other genetic eyelid defects
- Naturally occurring droopy or floppy ears on adults
- Black horns or extremely contrasted variegated horns
NOTES:
Sheep with Disqualifying traits are not eligible for registration and will be denied
registration. Excessive Discriminating traits of an individual sheep may render that
sheep ineligible for registration if, at the inspectors and board of directors discretion,
such traits seriously challenge the breed identity.
| THIS website is copyright May 2009 by United Horned Hair Sheep Association, Inc. Active Members of UHHSA are permitted to use information on their website to help in ethical and honest promotion and education about the breeds represented. However, a link to this website should be provided. Pictures are copyrighted by owners of the sheep pictured and permission will need to be sought to use the pictures. |
| Normal Bite |
| Underbite |
| Overbite |
| Supracervical (SH) Heart Shaped Horns displayed by a Mouflon Ram |
| DESERT SAND SHEEP BREED STANDARDS AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS |
| CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION History of the Breeds GENERAL INFORMATION about the breeds MARKETS for the Sheep |
| Gopher Ear Length shown. |
| Elf Ear Length |
| Natural Ear length |
| Back Legs - Rear View |
| Back Legs - Side View |
| Front Legs - Front View |
| Front Legs - Side View |
| Correct |
| Correct |
| Correct |
| Correct |
| Bowlegged |
| Cow-Hocked |
| Sickle-Hocked |
| Postlegged |
| Weak Pasterns |
| Calf Kneed |
| Buck Kneed |
| Toes Angled Inward Pigeon Toed |
| Toes Angled Outward Splayfooted |
| Bowlegged |
| Knock- Kneed |
| Measuring depth of the twist: Hand Placement is indicated by the horizontal red lines. The depth is the vertcal blue line |
| Tail Lengths |
| Tails with these lengths are Correct |
| Tails to the hocks are acceptable but considered a fault |
| Tails past the hocks are not acceptable and is a Disqualification from registration |
| Over all directional shape of horn growth Supracervical Horns (abbreviated SH) (Heart Shaped) Homonymous Horns (abbreviated HH) (spiraling out) Number of Horns Polycerate/Multiple Horns (abbreviated MH) (multiple horns - 3, 4, +) Actual shape of individual horns Webbed Horns Abbreviated SW for Supracervical shape, webbed horns Abbreviated HW for Homonymous shape, webbed horns Abbreviated WH for horns which do not show over all shape of horn growth yet but do show they are webbed Round/Usual Horns Horns are more round in circumference. This is the most common actual horn shape. |
| Homonymous (HH) Horns spiraling out like a corkscrew especially when viewed from side |
| Polycerate Horns Multiple Horns (MH) More than 2 horns Ram above has fused horns while ram lamb below has 4 separate horns |
| Homonymous Webbed Horns (HW) |
| Black Horns are a DISQUALIFICATION from registration as a Desert Sand Sheep |
| Ears will generally be at parallel to the ground (pictured above) or above (pictured below on a young Mouflon ram lamb) for these sheep. Sheep which naturally have ears below parallel to the ground are disqualified from registration |
 | |  |
| Horned Ewe With minimal light brown pigment on lower eyelid margin |
| Distinct Variegated Horns are a DISQUALIFICATION from registration as a Desert Sand Sheep |
| Black Hooves This is a DISQUALIFICATION from registration for Desert Sand Sheep |
| White Horns CORRECT coloring of horns for Desert Sand sheep |
| CORRECT Both Testicles Normal and even |
| DISQUALIFICATION Both testicles did not descend Bilateral Cryptorchidism |
| DISQUALIFICATION One testicle did not descend Unilateral Cryptorchidism |
| FAULT Both testicles small sized but still functioning properly |
| FAULT One testicle smaller than the other |
| Weak Pasterns Right Front Leg FAULT |