Sheep may seem like your run-of-the-mill farm animal, but did you know that there are breeds with horns that could give a bull a run for its money? That’s right, these woolly wonders come with impressive headgear.
The horns of male sheep, called rams, can be very big and weigh a lot (up to 31 lb in bighorn rams). They use their horns to fight with other rams for the right to mate with females or establish dominance. When they fight, they clash with their horns, but they usually don’t hurt each other because they hit head-to-head and their curved horns don’t touch their bodies.
In the wild, both male and female sheep have horns, but in domesticated sheep, it depends on the breed. Some breeds have horns in both males and females, some only in males, and some have no horns at all.
Table of Contents
Sheep With Horns
1. Jacob Sheep
- Horns Length: up to 2 ft
Jacob is a unique breed of sheep instantly recognizable due to its distinctive appearance. They are named after the biblical character Jacob, who was said to have kept spotted and speckled sheep.
Although English people have been raising them for over 350 years, their origin is unknown. People imported them to North America in the middle of the 20th century.
Jacob sheep have 4 horns, with 2 larger ones at the front and 2 smaller ones at the back – they may occasionally have as few as 2 or as many as 6. Both sexes have horns with rams having larger and more impressive ones that can reach 2 feet in length.
Their horns are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails and hair, and they are used for protection and to establish dominance within the herd.
Jacob sheep can come in a variety of colors and patterns, including white, black, brown, or lilac, and their wool is prized for its softness and durability. They are a hardy breed that can thrive in many different environments, often kept for their fleece, meat, or as ornamental animals due to their unique appearance.
2. Dall Sheep
- Horns Length: almost 3 ft
Dall Sheep are a wild sheep species found in the mountains of northwestern North America. They are named after William Healey Dall, a 19th-century American naturalist who did not discover the species, but led surveys in the late 1800s in Alaska.
Dall sheep have long, curved horns that grow up and back, forming a full circle. Younglings begin growing horns when they reach 2 months of age. Compared to rams who have massive curling horns, ewes have much more slender and smaller ones.
Horns of the rams start growing around spring and stop by early fall. This start-and-stop growth creates unique rings on their horns (called annuli) that can be used to determine their age. Similar to other breeds, they use their horns for defense and to establish dominance within the herd, not to fight over ewes.
According to some old research, dall sheep horns can exceed 51 inches in length and 16 inches in circumference at the base. However, they are more likely to have horns around 35 inches long.
Dall sheep also have thick, white fur that helps them blend in with their snowy mountainous environment. They are excellent climbers and can be found at high altitudes, sometimes above 6,500 feet. They are herbivores that feed on grasses, sedges, and shrubs. Dall sheep were often hunted for their skin and meat, and as trophy animals due to their impressive horns.
3. Mouflon
- Horns Length: up to 2.75 ft
Mouflons are a wild sheep species that are native to Europe and Asia. Some people consider them to be the ancestor of all modern domestic sheep breeds.
They have long, curved saddle-shaped horns that grow outward and then back. Rams have horns while females may or may not have them. Typical horn length is 20-29 inches, occasionally reaching the 33-inch mark – the base of a Mouflon ram’s horns is around 8 inches in circumference.
Mouflon sheep are typically reddish-brown with a light-colored saddle and dark brown stripes. They are hardy animals that can survive in harsh environments and are known for their agility and speed.
In North America, people often import the breed to use for trophy hunting – they do not use purebred animals for that though, often crossing them with bighorn and some domestic sheep breeds.
4. Bighorn Sheep
- Horns Length: almost 3 ft
Bighorn sheep are a wild sheep species found in North America. They are one of 2 species of mountain sheep found there; the other species being the Dall sheep.
Bighorn sheep are named for their large, thick horns that curl around their heads and can weigh up to 30 pounds in males (as much as all the bones in their bodies). Rams have horns that can also be over 35 inches long. Females also have horns, although shorter and less curly ones, usually around 8-10 inches long.
These horned sheep have gray-brown fur that has a white rump patch, muzzle, and back of legs. They are excellent climbers that can navigate steep mountainous terrain and can according to Denver Zoo “can jump seven feet across wide crevices and even turn in mid-air landing on small ledges of rock.”
Unlike mouflons who have a strict dominance hierarchy, bighorn sheep live in big herds and do not usually follow a single leader.
They are herbivores that feed on grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation. Bighorn sheep are an important part of many Native American cultures and are often featured in traditional art and stories.
5. Skudde Sheep
- Horns Length: n/a
Skudde is a rare breed of sheep that originated in Europe (Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, and Switzerland). Today a few small herds can be found in these areas.
Rams have large, curved horns that grow outward and then back while the ewes are hornless or carry horn stumps.
Skudde sheep are rather small in size and come in a variety of colors, including brown, black, and white. Males weigh 77-110 lb while adult ewes reach 88 lb.
They are hardy and active animals that are well suited for pasturing more barren areas. Skudde sheep are primarily kept for their wool and not meat, which is only prized among connoisseurs for its unique flavor.
6. Boreray Sheep
- Horns Length: n/a
Also known as the Boreray Blackface or Hebridean Blackface, Boreray sheep are a rare breed that originated from the St. Kilda islands in Scotland.
They are small, hardy sheep with a distinctive appearance, characterized by their large curved horns. Both sexes of Boreray sheep are with horns, although the ones ewes have are much thinner than rams’ and do not spiral beyond 360 degrees. Due to the unique shape of male horns, people will sometimes turn them into shepherd’s crooks.
Boreray sheep have a thick and rough fleece that protects them from the harsh weather conditions of their native environment. They are an important part of the conservation efforts to protect the unique ecosystems of the Scottish islands. These sheep are also known for their excellent meat, which is lean, tender, and flavorful.
There are only 500–900 breeding ewes in existence today which makes them one of the rarest breeds of sheep in the UK.
7. Dalesbred Sheep
- Horns Length: n/a
Dalesbred Sheep are a hardy breed of sheep that originated from the Yorkshire Dales in northern England.
They are medium-sized sheep with distinctive curved horns that grow outward from the head. Both rams and ewes have horns. They have a distinctive white spot on each side of their black faces and legs free of wool that are mottled black and white.
Dalesbred sheep are primarily kept for their wool and meat, which is of excellent quality. They are hardy animals that can thrive in harsh environments. These horned sheep can be also used for conservation grazing, as they are suitable for areas of harsh roughage.
8. Dorset Horn
- Horns Length: n/a
Dorset Horn sheep is another domestic breed of sheep that originated from Dorset in southern England.
They are a medium-sized breed, with a distinctive appearance characterized by their large and curved horns. Both sexes are horned – ewes’ horns are light and curve forward neatly, while rams’ horns are heavy and spiral out as well as curve forward.
Dorset Horn are primarily kept for their meat, which is of excellent quality and flavor. They are also used for wool production, and their medium-grade fleece is known for its thickness and durability.
Although they didn’t appear in large numbers until the end of the 19th century, Dorset horn sheep were imported into the USA around the 1860s.
9. Manx Loaghtan
- Horns Length: n/a
Manx Loaghtan is a rare breed of sheep that originated from the Isle of Man, off the coast of Great Britain. They are a small, hardy breed with short tails and no wool on their dark brown faces and legs.
Manx Loagtans’ distinctive appearance is characterized by their four or occasionally six horns that curve forward and upward. Ewes usually have smaller horns than rams.
Manx Loaghtans are primarily kept for their meat, which is lean, flavorful, and sought after by chefs and food enthusiasts. They are also used for wool production, and their fleece is known for its softness and warmth.
10. Rambouillet Sheep
- Horns Length: n/a
Rambouillet sheep are a domestic breed of sheep that originated from France. They are a large breed, also known as Rambouillet Merino or the French Merino.
Rambouillet sheep have a distinctive appearance characterized by their curved horns that grow outward and then curve. Both sexes have horns.
Rambouillet sheep are primarily kept for their wool, which is of excellent quality and is prized for its softness and warmth. They are also used for meat production, and their meat is lean, tender, and flavorful.
Rambouillet sheep are a popular breed in the United States, where they are widely raised for their wool and meat. People started importing them to the USA around the mid-1800s, leading to the establishment of the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association.
These sheep are hardy and adaptable to different climate conditions ranging from the scarce brush area of Texas to the extremely cold winters of Wisconsin.
Summary
And there you have it, a list of 10 sheep with horns!
Overall, these breeds are fascinating and unique animals with a rich history and many uses. From the wild and rugged Bighorn sheep to the gentle and hardy Skudde sheep, each breed has its own distinct characteristics and traits that make them an important part of the agricultural landscape.
Whether you are a farmer, a conservationist, or just a lover of animals, these sheep breeds are sure to capture your imagination and inspire awe and admiration.