The Olde English ‘Babydoll’ Southdown is a breed of sheep developed in the United States to reflect the original type of Southdown brought over to North America.
To meet consumer demand in the early 19th century, farmers in the US and UK began breeding Southdowns that could produce larger cuts of meat. This led to a separate line of sheep that were bigger and leggier, and whole flocks of the original type remained, their numbers decreased throughout the 1900s.
In 1986, Robert Mock set about searching the United States for sheep that fit this original type, and by 1990 had found 350 suitable animals. These sheep became the foundation flock of the breed, and he set up a registry for them in 1991, naming them ‘Olde English Babydoll Southdowns’.
Babydoll Ram in full wool (Unsheared) with adult chicken (Orpington) on his back, and a Royal Palm Tom Turkey beside him (female turkey in the background) for size comparison. The sheep in the background is an adult female Babydoll (ewe). The ram is the same as in the photo above.
Babydoll Southdowns are small-framed sheep with short legs. They are known for their teddy bear-shaped face and their ‘smile’. Both ewes and rams are polled.
They have docile temperaments, and the ewes have good mothering ability.
‘Babydoll’ Southdowns are kept as pets and have found success as weeders in vineyards and orchards. They produce a 19-22 micron wool that is highly barbed, ideal for blending with other fibres.