Savoiarda (I)

Index

Description

Savioarda is a medium-sized sheep with rams weighing 80kg on average. The wool is dirty white. Animals have black spots on face and legs. Rams and most ewes presents horns; those of the rams are spiral. Ears are narrow and slightly hanging, the head has a Roman profile.

General and History

The breed Savoiarda is an old local mountain breed of unknown origin.

Distribution in the past and today

The breed was formerly spread all over the whole Alpine region. The present area of distribution is in the Province of Torino (Piedmont) in teh valley die Susa, Pellice, Chisone, Lanzo and the surroundings of Giaveno.

Utilization

Main use is mutton and wool.

Breeding aims

The original dual-purpose sheep for mutton and milk is extremely threatened through crossbreeding with Italian and French mutton breeds. Only very few pure-bred animals are left.

Performance

Body weight: 88-104kg (m), 91-97kg (w)
Withers height: 68-82cm (m), 67-75cm (w)
Fleece weight: 3kg (m), 2kg (w)
Lambing percentage: 130%

Literature

Schafrassen der Alpen, Antje Feldmann, Ursula Bietzker, Dr. Christian Mendel, Herausgeber: Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V. - GEH, Deutschland, Sept. 2005
Günter Jaritz: Seltene Nutztiere der Alpen, 7000 Jahre geprägte Kulturlandschaft, Verlag Anton Pustet 2014