The Wensleydale Sheep
One of our wonderful Wensleydales with a Gotland in the background
Wensleydale sheep are the largest breed native to the UK and originated in Yorkshire. Our stock were imported from Oregon, Washington and New York states, where the breed is in a breed-up program These wonderful sheep are known for their wool, here in North America, but are also used in the UK to increase the growth rate and size of their market lambs. The Wensleydales are known for their highly lustrous fleeces. Most of our flock is shorn twice a year, but we always leave some to grow for a year or more to produce our much loved extreme locks of 12" to 16".
Our Wensleydales are registered with the North American Wensleydale Sheep Association wensleydalesheep.org
The Wensleydales were a new addition to Dover Farm in the fall of 2017, when two ewes were brought in from Oregon, with two more ewes and a ram coming from Nova Scotia. In the spring of 2018 five more ewes and two more rams were brought in from Washington and Oregon States.
Wensleydale sheep originate from the Wensleydale area in North Yorkshire, where today the rams are used in crossbreeding programs, to produce fast growing market lambs, as well as high quality wool. Here in North America they are highly sought after for their lustrous, long, curly locks that fibre artists and doll makers adore. On Dover Farm, we have both white and coloured Wensleydales.
The Wensleys have been a great addition to the farm and although they may not be quite as inquisitive and friendly as the Gotlands, they have made their mark with their strong personalities and opinions!