Dorpers were created in South African back in 1942 by crossbreeding Dorset Horn rams with Blackhead Persian ewes (hence Dor-Per), to create a meat sheep that can adapt well and thrive in a variety of grazing conditions.

Even though Dorpers have been in the UK since 2005, they're still not a well known breed. It was only by chance we discovered them ourselves. We looked into numerous breeds before starting our own flock, contemplating EasyCares or Wiltshire Horns for their shedding ability. However, last minute a close friend mentioned Dorpers, and we haven't looked back!

For both breeding and table, the Dorper has really won us over.

Dorpers produce fantastically succulent, well-marbled meat that is bursting with flavour, and are well known for producing a high quality carcass, excellent conformation and fantastic fat distribution.

All our sheep are born and reared on our herb rich, Hampshire chalkland pastures. They are grass-fed, high welfare and grown slowly until they reach maturity naturally.

Breed traits:

Dorpers are shedding sheep that have a hair fleece along their back/sides and are bare along their belly and legs. Mature Rams weigh around 99 – 122 Kg, mature Ewes 65 – 90 Kg, with lambs being able to reach 36 kg at the age of 3-4 months.

Breeding & Lambing:

Being polyoestrus, they're one of the only breeds of sheep that are capable of lambing 3 times in a 2 year period, as opposed to most other breeds that will lamb once per year. Dorper ewes are a known multiple lamber and make brilliant, very milky mothers. Lambs have high survivability, finding their feet and feeding with vigor.

Problems:

All breeds have a downside, the only one we've found with Dopers is their feet. If exposed to prolonged wet conditions, the breed has a tendency to develop scald. Careful foot health management has become an important practice for us, and with it, the Dorpers foot problem become a minor issue.