Saltasassi (I)
Description
The breed Saltasassi means “stone jumper” and describes the good adaptation and suitability of this breed for the steep mountain landscape. Saltasassi is a medium-weight breed with rams weighing on average 60 kg. Both sexes are polled. The breed presents a longish and nearly straight head, medium length and narrow ears hanging down, sometimes to the front. Wool, head and extremities are purely white. The wool is open and lies close to the body.
General and History
Saltasassi is an original sheep breed from the Province of Novara in Piedmont.
Distribution in the past and today
Nowadays the last specimens are to be found in Val Isorno, Comuni di Altoggia, Montecrestese and the plains of Domodossola.
Utilization
Nowadays the breed is used for lamb production. Weaning weight is 15 kg.
Keeping
Animals traditionally remain outside both in summer and during most of the winte. In winter they graze the slopes of lower altitudes and are sometimes additionally fed with hay.
Performance
Body weight: 60kg (m), 45-50kg (w)
Withers height: 60-65cm (m), 55cm (w)
Fleece weight: 3.5kg (m), 2.5-3.0kg (w)
Literature
Schafrassen der Alpen, Antje Feldmann, Ursula Bietzker, Dr. Christian Mendel, Herausgeber: Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V. - GEH, Deutschland, 2005
Günter Jaritz: Seltene Nutztiere der Alpen, 7000 Jahre geprägte Kulturlandschaft, Verlag Anton Pustet 2014
Atlante delle razze autoctone, 1983
Non-Governmental organisations
R.A.R.E. (Associazione Razze autoctone a rischio di estinzione): www.associazionerare.it
