Valais Blacknose Sheep
Our first pureblood lambs arrived in the spring of 2021. These were born from embryos imported from New Zealand and implanted into our Rideau Arcott ewes. In the summer of 2022 we are expecting more of these beautiful sheep, as well as our first F1 crosses.
Known as the "world's cutest sheep", the Valais Blacknose sheep's home is the Canton of Valais in Switzerland. These sheep are incredibly curious, friendly and although they are a large framed sheep, easy to handle. Several people who I have spoken to who have flocks in Europe and New Zealand, liken a flock of Valais to having a flock of Labrador dogs. The fibre grows fast and the sheep need shearing twice a year. The fibre has always been considered a rug yarn, but more and more fibre artists are discovering that it is not as coarse as they expected and are enjoying using it in felting, weaving and spinning projects.
As of 2022, we have limited numbers of pureblood rams available for sale. We also have some F1 Valais, out of some of our Wensleydale and Gotland ewes.