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

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