Naturally Curly - Sheep Painting

"Naturally Curly"

image size 12"x10" - soft pastel

The Rambouillet sheep breed originated with Spain's Merino flocks, known as producers of the world's finest wool.  In 1786, after a request from his cousin King Louis XVI of France, King Charles III of Spain carefully selected 318 ewes, 41 rams and 7 wethers (castrated male sheep) to help improve the native French stock.  This flock was raised exclusively at the Bergerie, 50 kilometres southwest of Paris, with no sheep being sold for many years.

During the last quarter of the 18th century, German breeders made extensive use of Rambouillet sires as the sheep's fame spread throughout Europe. That is why many present day American Rambouillets can trace their ancestry back to either German von Homeyer flocks or the flocks of Rambouillet, France. 

In 1889, the (American) Rambouillet Association was formed in the US to preserve the breed.  They produce the finest wool.  Full grown ewes can weigh up to 200 pounds and rams up to 300 pounds. The wool clips are larger than any other breed and the wool length is 2 - 4 inches.  Mature ewes will have a fleece weigh of 8 to 18 pounds with a yield of 35 to 55 percent.