Dorper
The Dorper is a South African mutton breed developed in the early 1930's from the Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persian, an indigenous fat-rumped hair sheep, noted for its survivability and ability to produce under harsh conditions. Dorpers were developed for the arid regions of South Africa. They are numerically the second largest breed (after Merinos) in South Africa. The first Dorpers were imported to the United States in 1995 in embryo form via Canada. Dorpers are being used in various crossbreeding programs to determine their role in U.S. lamb production systems. Dorper lambs are noted for their outstanding growth, early maturity and heavy muscled, high yielding carcasses. The Dorper has a white body with a characteristic black head, as well as white heads (White Dorper). The Dorper skin is the most sought after skin in the world.
Images
Dorper ewe - Dominican Republic (26 K)
Dorper rams - Dominican Republic (47 K)
Dorper ram (rear view) - Dominican Republic (59 K)
White Dorper ram - Virginia Hair Sheep Field Day (52 K)
Dorper ram - Dominican Republic (40 K)
Dorper lambs - Dominican Republic (31 K)
Dorper ram and ewe (rear view) - Dominican Republic (62 K)
Katahdin x Dorper ram (rear view) - Dominican Republic (81 K)
Katahdin x White Dorper ewes - Sweedsboro, New Jersey (44 K)
Dorper ewes on pasture - Snow Hill, North Carolina (73 K)
Dorper x Katahdin ram - Snow Hill, North Carolina (29 K)
Links
American Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society
Oklahoma State University Breeds of Livestock
U.S. Directory of Sheep Breeds
Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society of South Africa
Crane Creek Dorper and White Dorper Sheep
Coppersmith Sheep Co.
Dolf's Dorper Sheep Breeding Page
The Dorper Sheep (black-headed or white)
Genelink Dorper Sheep
Dorper research update - University of Wyoming
Idaho Dorper Studies
Hair Sheep Home