Origin: Mixture of Europe, Middle East, & Northern Africa Distribution: United States and Canada Uses: Wool and meat Status: Rare Breed Features: Jacob sheep are a colorful breed with down-type wool. The color ratio should be between 15% dark and 85% dark to follow the set standard for the breed. These sheep are slight of build with the ewes weighing 100 – 120 lbs and the rams weighing 140 – 180 lbs. The Jacob is well known for sporting multiple horns of four or more. At least 40% are found as such and make a remarkable sight in the pasture. History: Jacob sheep were originally called Piebald, Spotted, or Spanish sheep but were eventually named for the Old Testament figure Jacob for whom spotted sheep played a significant role in his life. The Jacobs found in the United States came from flocks in Britain in the early 1900’s. They were originally attractions at zoos and parks and were not sufficient in numbers to be considered an agricultural breed. Their numbers remained small until the late 1960’s when the Jacob Sheep Society was founded in Britain. Two more registries have since developed in North America, the Jacob Sheep Breeder’s Association and the Jacob Sheep Conservancy.  Breed Associations:
Jacob Sheep Breeders Association www.jsba.org
JSBA Membership Secretary
c/o Lane Harris spottedsheep@yahoo.com
PO Box 10427
Bozeman, MT 59719
Phone: (406) 388-9537 Jacob Sheep Conservancy
Joan Horak, Secretary
1165 East Lucas Road
Allen, TX 75002
(972)727-0900
JSCMail@aol.com | 
