Wensleydale Sheep

Looks how to spot one

longwool fleece

The Wensleydale has a long, lustrous, purled fleece that can reach the ground on a shearling. The staple length is typically 20 to 25 cm, but on purebred shearlings it can be up to 40 cm. Fleece weight ranges from 4.5 to 6 kg, with shearlings sometimes yielding up to 9 kg. The wool is prized by hand spinners for its fine lustre and lack of kemp.45

Personality what they are like

Wensleydales are generally calm and docile, but like all sheep they can be strong-willed. They are a large, slow-maturing breed and can be a bit stubborn at times. With gentle handling they become trusting and easy to manage.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They need plenty of space to graze on good quality pasture. They are hardy and do well on Dales pastures, but require regular monitoring, especially in fields with brambles or gorse, as their long wool can easily get snagged.34

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Shearing is essential once a year. The wool around the eyes (the 'topping') should be trimmed regularly so the sheep can see clearly. The rear end must be kept clean to prevent fly strike; this may involve washing or trimming dirty wool (dagging). At lambing time, trim wool from the ewe's udder to help lambs find the teat. Regular hoof trimming is also needed.3

Home where they are happiest

They require secure fencing to keep them safe and to prevent their fleece from catching on hedges or brambles. Shelter from extreme weather is advisable, though they are hardy. Good drainage is important to keep their feet healthy. They are not suitable for small gardens; they need a field or large paddock.3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Good quality grass and hay form the basis of their diet. They may need supplemental feeding, especially growing stock, pregnant or lactating ewes, and animals kept for wool production. Hard feed or forage crops can provide extra protein and energy. Fresh water must always be available.3

Company who they like around

Sheep are highly social animals and must never be kept alone. Wensleydales thrive in a flock with at least one companion. They are a rare breed and may be kept as part of a conservation flock. There are no legal restrictions on keeping them in the UK, but they require a holding number and registration with the relevant authority if kept commercially.34

The story where it all began

The Wensleydale breed traces back to a single ram named Bluecap, bred in 1839 by William Outhwaite in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. Bluecap's sire was a Dishley Leicester ram and his dam a Teeswater ewe. The breed was developed over the 19th century for both wool and mutton, and became famous as a crossing sire for hill flocks. Two breed societies were formed in 1890, but they merged in 1920. Numbers declined in the 20th century as its role as a crossing sire diminished, and today it is classified as 'at risk' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.241

Recognised by the official bits

Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST)

Categorised as 'at risk'4