Our Breeds of Sheep
Shooting Star Sheep is home to a flock of registered and crossbreed sheep. Our flock of mini-spotted sheep include Harlequins, Babydoll, and Finnsheep.
Harlequin Sheep

Harlequin Sheep are the largest breed of registered miniature sheep. They are a relatively new breed of sheep, and as of 2021, there were less than 1,500 registered Harlequins in the US. The Harlequin breed was developed by Kathleen Sterling from Black Sheep Farm in Virginia about 40 years ago. The harlequin breed includes Karakuls,​ Tunis​, Corriedale, Lincoln​, Border Leicester, Romney​, Montadale, and Southdown.
Harlequins are polled (naturally hornless) and have high quality wool. They are known for their docile temperaments, spotted coats, and occasionally blue eyes. Because they are miniature sheep, they measure below 24 inches at the shoulder. Ewes weigh between 80-120lbs and rams 90-150lbs.
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Babydoll Southdown Sheep

Babydoll Southdown sheep are known for their teddy-bear faces and sweet smiles, which go along with their docile and friendly temperaments. They have a wooly face, woolly legs and short ears. Babydoll Southdown sheep are a multi-purpose, miniature sheep that measure 18 -24" at the shoulder. They are used for meat and fiber, and because of their small size they are easy to manage and are often used to mow under trees and in vineyards. Although small, Babydoll sheep are a hardy and a fairly low-maintenance breed.They are good mothers and often lamb unassisted.
Finnsheep

Finnsheep are a multi-purpose breed. They are native to Finland, where they are known as Finnish Landrace Sheep. They are raised for meat, wool and pelts. Here in the US, due to their inclination to multiple births, they are mainly used in the commercial sheep industry in cross-breeding programs to increase the lambing percentage. Finnsheep wool, because of its color, luster, and soft hand, is of exceptional quality and loved by hand spinners. Finnsheep are friendly, docile, and easy keepers, producing vigorous lambs that are up and nursing within minutes. They produce more milk than the Harlequins and Babydolls, and behave more goat-like. Finnsheep have a clean face (no wool) and clean legs. However, all all of our Finns are crossbred with Babydolls.



