Breed History

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Tunis sheep are beautiful red heads with long pendulous ears and a calm disposition. These sheep are favorites with everyone who tries this rare breed, from showmen to commercial farmers. Tunis ewes are excellent mothers with a high rate of twinning and occasionally triplets. They are heavy milkers, are easily handled, and have very docile temperaments. The Tunis lambs are vigorous at birth and are warmed by a double coat of red fibers. Tunis will breed out of season producing fall lambs.Tunis sheep originated from Middle-Eastern fat-tailed sheep imported from Tunisia, The earliest documented importation to America occurred in 1799. This makes them among the oldest breeds of livestock developed in America. Thomas Jefferson imported "broad-tailed" sheep for their mutton and wool-producing attributes. George Washington used a Tunis ram to build his flock. During the Civil War southern flocks provided food for survivors thus virtually eliminating breed population in the south. Today, the breed is thriving.

 The history of the Cotswold dates back to the pre-industrial age in Cotswold, England. The breed originated from the Cotswold hills of the Southern Midlands. In the Middle Ages the Cotswolds were known throughout Europe for their wool quality and they became the foundation of the English wool trade in Europe. The wool trade became the weaving trade. In the 18th century cloth manufacturing the southern Cotswold valleys provided plenty of waterpower for mills producing cloth.