Kärntner Brillenschaf (A)
Description
A medium-sized long-legged sheep with Roman nose and long lop ears. Both seces are polled. The black rim around the eyes (“glasses”) and the partly black ears (up to 2/3) are characteristic for the breed. The wool of the animals is white with coarse cover hair.
General and History
The breed developed through crossbreeding old local breeds with Bergamasca and Paduan sheep. It was firstly mentioned in 1844 as “Seeländer Schaf”. At the beginning of the 20th century the most widely spread breed in Austria, afterwards decrease because of grading-up with Bergamasca rams. Herdbook founding 1988.
Distribution in the past and today
Approx. 3,5% of the overall Austrian sheep population is Carinthians. They are mainly found in Carinthia and in the border region of Slovenia, Italy and Austria.
Utilization
Most animals are kept as hobby. Wool and lamb meat is used; they are also used for landscape management. They have an excellent vension-type of meat quality.
Keeping
Carinthian ist well adapted to mountains regions. The animals are considered to be robust, undemanding and weatherproof.
Performance
Wither height: 75-90cm (m), 65-80cm (w)
Body weight: 80-100kg (m), 60-75kg (w)
Fleece weight: 4,5-5,5kg (m), 4-5kg (w)
Lambing perentage: 150-200%
Literature
Schafrassen in den Alpen, Antje Feldmann, Ursula Bietzker, Dr. Christian Mendel, Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährderter Haustierrassen e.V. - GEH.
