Blackhead Somali sheep

Description

The Blackhead Somali is indigenous to the Ogaden area of the Somali Region. The breed is also known by various names in eastern Africa and other countries including Blackhead Persian and sometimes as Blackhead Ogaden sheep. It is widely distributed within 42-48 E longitudes and 3-9 N latitudes.

The Blackhead Somali is distinguished by the black color of the head. The body is predominantly white but other colors may be observed. The hair is short, stiff and shiny. Both rams and ewes are hornless, though males can sometimes have rudimentary horns. The forehead is convex and the nose tends to be of the Roman type. The ears are short and pointed with an outward-forward inclination. Most animals have a well-developed dewlap which sometimes extends from the chin to the chest with considerable fat deposits. The tail is a fat rump type with a very distinct fat depot having a thin tip sticking straight backward and sometimes hanging down.

The Blackhead Persian is a polled breed with both sexes lacking horns. It has a black head, with long pendulous ears, and a black neck and a white body, with a clear line demarcating the two colours.