Montafoner Steinschaf (A)
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 Since 1960, it has, however, to a large part been replaced by other breeds and is extremely endangered today.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
