What are some of the Breed Points?

Not an easy question. There is much debate about the finer points of the Portland as there is in any breed. There is no doubt that there are variations within the national flock although some may dispute this. Whether this is a good or a bad thing we leave for others to decide. Our view is that Portlands are a medium sized, horned sheep, with tan faces and legs and cream fleece.

There is a view that size rather depends on the type and availability of the available pasture, so sheep kept on tight grazing may be smaller than those in a flock that has had access to abundant pasture over several generations. Most early accounts of the breed on the Isle of Portland itself, always comment on the very poor grazing. However the Portland will never be a large sheep. To our mind the attraction of the Portland is that it is a fine featured, easy to handle sheep but still capable of producing a useful carcase.

It is breed policy that no ram with a black spot should be registered. In ewes it is allowable but not desirable and this should be born in mind when purchasing stock. A black spot is either black wool or black hairs on the head or legs. Even a very small amount of black wool or hair disqualifies a ram at the moment so bear this in mind when looking at rams.

The point about 'black spots' is important. If you are tempted to buy an otherwise very good ram with a black spot. Bear in mind that apart from the fact that the ram should never have been registered in the first place. He would be impossible to sell on to anyone who wanted to register breeding stock.

Sometimes there are black lines on the horns which some people find desirable but should not really influence any purchase decision.

Sheep are sometimes found with a very 'open' fleece. In our experience this characteristic is highly heriditary and this should be born in mind.

Uniformly dark hooves are considered desirable.

We often meet people who have bought 'wild' Portlands and who assume that this is a characteristic of the breed. This is most definately not the case. It is a problem caused by the handling (or lack of it) by the original owners. Like most rare breeds, Portlands are a tough, resiliant sheep, being closer to their wild origins than the heavier perhaps more docile commercial breeds. Handled properly and given some attention they are a joy to own. MORE

There are some variations in size and colour. Certain bloodlines such as Calke Abbey can be darker in the head and legs and possibly, but not always, slightly larger. At the end of the day you have to decide what you like, after all, you are the one who will be looking at them all the time.

Particularly if you are new to sheep, it is possible to get too obsessed with breed points and overlook the fact that above all else you need to buy an animal that is a good sheep as well as being a good Portland.