Description

A small to medium sized finely boned mountain breed on thin but strong legs with hard claws. Animals have a noble head with straight profile. Both sexes are mostly horned. There is no wool on face and legs, the forehead is covered with short wool. All colours and markings occur in the rough mixed wool.

General and History

The Alpine Steinschaf traces, like all other Steinschaf breeds, back to Zaupel and the Neolithic Torf, respectively. In former times the breed was widely spread in the Alpine region. Since 1960, it has, however, to a large part been replaced by other breeds and is extremely endangered today.

Distribution in the past and today

Montafon, Vorarlberg

Utilization

The breed is, besides meat and wool production, mainly used for landscape management, especially marginal sites.

Breeding aims

Breeding focuses on the breed’s genetic conservation

Performance

Withers height: 65cm (m), 60cm (w)
Body weight: 55-65kg (m), 35-50kg (w)
Lambing percentage: 133%

Literature

Feldmann Antje et al.: Schafrassen der Alpen (Alpinet gheep), Witzenhausen 2005

Links

Non-Governmental organisations

Arche Austria, Spartenbetreuer, Markus L. Stadelmann, Bergstraße 9, A-6850 Dornbirn III, +43(0)5572/22 601, info@steinschaf.at,
Landesschafzuchtverband Vorarlberg, Montfortstraße 9, A-6900 Bregenz, +43 (0)664 3146485, christian.laengle@lk-vbg.at
Montafoner Steinschaf, Peter Kasper, +43 (0)664 5137299, Martin Mathies, +43(0)5861214, montafoner-steinschaft@bewusstmontafon.at