Navajo-Churro

Looks how to spot one

double coat

Navajo-Churro sheep have a distinctive double coat: a long, coarse outer layer that sheds rain and dust, and a soft, fine undercoat that provides warmth. Their faces, legs and bellies are mostly bare of wool, which helps them move through scrubby desert terrain without snagging. The fleece has low grease content and comes in open, tapered locks.126

Personality what they are like

Navajo-Churro sheep are alert, intelligent and have a strong flocking instinct. They are naturally wary of predators but respond well to gentle handling. Ewes are fiercely protective of their lambs. With proper care they become calm and trusting, and each sheep has its own distinct personality.54

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These sheep need plenty of space to roam and graze. They are well suited to extensive pasture or rangeland and can travel long distances to find food. A minimum of half an acre per sheep is recommended, though more is better. They thrive in semi-arid environments with access to shelter from extreme weather.52

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Navajo-Churro sheep require shearing once a year, usually in spring. Their low-grease fleece does not need washing before use. Hooves should be trimmed every few months. They are hardy and need minimal pampering, but regular health checks and parasite control are important. Their bare faces and legs make them less prone to fly strike.16

Home where they are happiest

They are adapted to high desert conditions with cold, dry winters and hot, dry summers. Provide a sturdy shelter or barn for protection from snow and wind, and shade in summer. Fencing must be secure to keep out predators. They browse on shrubs and forage, so a varied landscape with rocks and bushes is ideal.27

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Primarily grazers and browsers. They thrive on grass pasture, rangeland forage, hay and shrubs. In winter or when pasture is poor, supplement with good quality hay and a mineral lick. They need constant access to clean, fresh water. They are efficient foragers and need minimal grain, if any.54

Company who they like around

Navajo-Churro sheep are highly social and must be kept in a flock of at least two or three. They have a strong flocking instinct and become stressed if isolated. They are not suitable as a single pet. They can be kept with other sheep or goats, but careful introduction is needed. They are not aggressive toward humans but may be wary of strangers.52

The story where it all began

The Navajo-Churro is descended from the Churra sheep of Iberia, brought to the Americas by Spanish conquistadors and colonists in the 16th century. It was the first domesticated sheep breed in the New World. Navajo and Pueblo peoples acquired these sheep through trade and raiding, and over centuries of selective breeding in the harsh Southwestern deserts, the breed developed its remarkable hardiness, disease resistance and double coat. By the 1970s the breed was nearly extinct, with fewer than 450 animals left, but conservation efforts by The Livestock Conservancy and Navajo breeders have revived it. Today it is treasured for its wool, meat and cultural significance to the Navajo people, who consider sheep a sacred gift from the Holy People.165

Recognised by the official bits

The Livestock Conservancy

Listed as a heritage breed; considered the first domesticated sheep breed developed in North America5