Index

Description

It is a medium-sized early-maturing brown sheep in the light type of White Mountain. The head is narrow, with Roman profile and polled with long and broad lop ears. It has strong legs with tight ankles and hard claws. Hind legs have a slight ankle. The wool has a regular cognac to dark-brown colour and is slightly frizzy.

General and History

Brown Mountain descend from White Mountain, which has its origins in the breed Bergamasca. Amongst animals of this breed, brown and black animals occurred that were summed up to an own breed. Foundation of the herdbook 1996.

Distribution in the past and today

Approx. 4% of all Austrian sheep is Brown Mountain. It is mainly kept in Austria’s mountain regions. In former times, it was widely spread in the whole Alpine region, today, it is found in Tyrol, Salzburg, Styra and Lower Austria.

Utilization

The breed is used for landscape management and meat and wool production in the Alpine region.
Brown Mountain is well adapted to rough high-mountain conditions; is can safely move in difficult move in difficult terrain and climb well. The breed copes very well with high precipitation and has well-developed maternal instincts. Very fertile. Best suited for commercial crossbreds with muttons males.

Performance

Withers height: ca. 80cm (m), ca. 70cm (w)
Body weight: 75-100kg (m), 55-70kg (w)
Fleece weight: 4- 5,5kg (m), 3,5-5kg (w)
Lambing percentage: 211%

Literature

Grasegger, J. (1994): Das Braune Bergschaf. Der Bayerische Schafhalter, 34 - 37
Schafrassen in den Alpen, Antja Feldmann, Ursula Bietzker, Dr. Christian Mendel, Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V. - GEH

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