A Little About: Dorset Horn

History

Dorset Horn sheep have been around in the UK since the 17th century, making them one of the oldest breeds in the UK (although they were officially established in the 19th century at the time the first flock book was published). They have the unusual characteristic of being able to breed all year round and are quite hardy, so over time the breed was exported around the world. In the 20th Century the Poll Dorset, a hornless version of the Dorset Horn was developed in Australia. Without horns, the Polled Dorset sheep were easier to handle and so, when imported into the UK became more popular with farmers than the Dorset Horn, leading to the Dorset Horn becoming a conservation breed.

Fleece Research

After researching different fleeces, the Dorset Horn seemed an ideal starter fleece for me as I had never worked with a raw fleece before. It was white, so I had the option of experimenting with dye if I wanted to, it has a medium staple length (between 8-10cm*) so should not require as much skill/experience to spin, it could be prepped using most methods and is most commonly used for garments or homeware, so there were lots of options when it came to using the finished wool. Most importantly for me though – it is reluctant to felt* so I wouldn’t have to worry as much about spoiling a whole fleece by giving it too much agitation or heat.

Further Reading

Sources with a * in front I have used to research specific details above

• Rare Breeds Survival Trust Website – https://www.rbst.org.uk/dorset-horn
• Breed Society Website – http://www.dorsetsheep.org.uk/
• *British Sheep & Wool by the British Wool Marketing Board – ISBN 9780904969108
• * The Field Guide to Fleece by Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius – ISBN 9781612121789