Welcome to New Hope Farm Shetland Sheep

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The heritage of Shetland Sheep goes back well over a thousand years. most likely descended from sheep brought to the Shetland Islands by Viking settlers, Shetlands belong to the Northern European short-tailed group, and are considered a primitive breed.

Shetlands are one of the smallest of the British sheep, with rams usually weighing between 90 to 125 pounds and ewes about 75 to 100 pounds. Rams tend to have beautiful, spiral horns, whereas the ewes are typically polled, though horned ewes do exist in the more primitive of lines, as originally they, too, were horned. Shetlands are fine-boned and agile and their naturally short, fluke-shaped tails do not require docking.

Shetlands are a calm, docile and easy-to-manage breed making them perfect for beginner shepherds and small acreages.

Although Shetlands are small and relatively slow growing, they maintain natural hardiness, thriftiness, easy lambing, adaptability and longevity. They have survived for centuries under harsh conditions and on a meager diet, so they do very well under less rigorous conditions. They have retained many of their primitive survival instincts and traits, making them more parasite resistant and easier to care for than many of today’s commercial breeds.

Use the link below for more information about Shetland Sheep.

• North American Shetland Sheep Assn