The ewes are very protective and attentive mothers, resulting in a high lamb survival rate. They are of the fat broadtailed type of sheep. The Karakul sheep is a type of fat-tailed sheep, very common to the African and Asian continents, but considered a rare breed in the US and Canada. The Karakul sheep are medium-sized animals. Large flocks are still to be found outside the U.S. especially in Central Asia and South Africa. The sheep is usually stockier than its relative the goat (genus Capra ); its horns, when present, are more divergent; it has scent glands in its face and hind feet; and the males lack the beards of goats. The head is medium-sized with a bulging forehead and medium-sized ears. The long ears are always pointing downward and slightly forward and vary from a long U shape to small V shape, or may be entirely absent. It produces a superior carpet yam, is often used for rugs and saddle blankets, outer garments and wall-hangings, and has an excellent felting ability. Characteristics of the breed are a compact body with a straight back and slightly pendulous belly which is covered with wool. The sheep are active grazers and browsers and have long lop ears. The Karakul sheep is believed to be one of the oldest domesticated sheep breed in the world and originates from Bukhara region in Uzbekistan, Central Asia (Bravenboer, 2007). Though used primarily for the production of wool, Karakuls are multipurpose sheep with many valuable characteristics. Archeological evidence indicates the existence of the Persian lambskin as early as 1400 B.C. of the Karakul breed of sheep or top-cross breed of such sheep, having hair formed in knuckled curls. It is a specialty breed that is finding its niche as part of the cottage industry. First imported into Canada at the beginning of the 20th century, it is now the only fat tailed sheep in Canada. Sheep pelts Karakul Gotland sheep Icelandic based sheep a b s t r a c t In the present work the production and quality of sheep pelts is reviewed with emphasis on three breeds, the Karakul, the Swedish Gotland and the Icelandic sheep, as well as with some information from sheep breeds from Australia and New Zealand. It has a dominant black gene, so a very high percentage of these sheep are born black. The Karakul is considered a rare breed in the U.S. and most likely will remain so; current population is estimated at 1300 animals. The origin of the Dormer from a cross between Dorset Horn rams with German Merino ewes (presently known as the S A Mutton Merino) was a direct consequence of a series of extensive slaughter lamb experiments carried out at the Elsenburg Research Station of the Department of Agriculture since 1927 over a period of more than ten years. Occationally individuals are white or pied. 301.8(a) ‘Broadtail Lamb’ may be used to describe the skin of the prematurely born, stillborn, or very young lamb of the Karakul breed of sheep or top-cross breed of such sheep, having flat light-weight fur with a moire pattern. Karakul sheep are kept primarily for lambskinfur production. Other colors include a wide range of shades; silver blues grays, golden tans, reddish browns, white with flecks of other colors include a wide range of shades; silver blues, grays, golden tans, reddish browns, white with flecks of other colors and occasionally pure white. [5] People use the lamb pelts to create various clothing items, such as the Astrakhan or karakul hat. Very young or even fetal Karakul lambs are prized for pelts. They can survive severe drought conditions because of a special quality they have, storing fat in their tails. Even in their native regions, the demand for furs resulted in a crossing and intermingling of native fat-tailed sheep so that the native flocks exhibit wide variations in type and color. animal-science-mail-form Karakul or Qaraqul (named after Qorako‘l, a city in Bukhara Province in Uzbekistan) is a breed of domestic sheep which originated in Central Asia. 301.8(b) Karakul sheep are athletic, fascinating creatures. The sheep are aggressive grazers and browsers, useful wherever pastures need improvement. PO Box 477, 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Human & Environmental Sciences, Ag Education, Communications & Leadership, Master of International Agriculture Degree Program. The legs are medium to long, and light in bone. 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