Gotland Breed Standards

Swedish Gotland Breed Standard

Originally from an island on the Baltic Sea off the coast of Sweden, Gotland sheep are known for being a dual purpose breed. They are raised for their meat and their lovely silver pelts. Gotland sheep are known for their hardiness, strong mothering instincts, and friendly personalities. They love interaction with people therefore making them an excellent choice for family farms.

• Size: Ewes weigh between 120 and 150 pounds, with rams typically weighing in from 160 to 190 pounds.
• Color: Gotland sheep are known for their clean black faces and legs, with lustrous, long, silky gray curls. They range in color from pale silver to a dark charcoal black. The color should be consistent in lambs from side to side as well as front to back. The color should have a clear tone rather than a mix of black and white fibers within each lock.
• Curls: Curls are consistent in structure from one side to the other as well as from the shoulders to the tail. Curls should be uniform with a 3-D formation.
• Wool: Curls should be distinct without a lot of cross hairs between them. They should feel silky and have luster. Gotland wool in adults has a micron count of 35-45 but lambs can be as low as 20 microns. Adults change their color in their first year of life. It is common to see yearlings with a darker gray strip down their spine and lighter wool on their sides and legs.
• Conformation: Gotland sheep have a dainty yet strong body structure. They have no horns and are naturally short tailed. Rams are larger than ewes.
• Lambs: Gotland lambs are vigorous and enjoy attention. They are generally born with a black lamb fleece. Within their first 2 to 3 months of life, they begin to grow their gray wool.