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The Suffolk breed, an original English breed, was the result of crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes. The product of this cross was determined to be a great improvement over either one of the parents. Although the Suffolk was a recognized breed as early as 1810, the flock book was not closed until much later.
In 1930, Southdowns were described as large sheep without horns, dark faces and legs, fine bones and long small necks. They were gray to mouse brown on the face and legs. They were low set in front with high shoulders and light forequarters; however, their sides were good, rather broad in the loin and were full in the thigh and twist. Today's Suffolk derives its meatiness and quality wool from the old original British Southdown.
The Norfolk Horned sheep, now rare, were a wild and hardy breed. They were black faced, light, fleeced sheep. Both sexes were horned. The upland regions of Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridge on the southeastern coast of England are very rugged and forage is sparse. It was this dry, cold and windy area in which the Norfolk breed adapted itself to traveling great distances for food, thereby developing a superbly muscular body.
It was said at that time of the Norfolk Horned, "their limbs are long and muscular, their bodies are long and their general form betokens activity and strength." This breed and its crosses were valued highly both by farmers and butchers. However, sheepmen of that day did not like the long legs, flat sides, nor wild nature of the Norfolk Horned. They noted that Southdowns crossed with Norfolks produced a progeny that reduced most of the criticisms of both breeds. |
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 In 1886, the English Suffolk Society was organized to provide registry service and to further develop the use of the breed. Through selection and careful breeding by many great English sheepmen, the Suffolk brought to this country retained the qualities for which they were originally mated.
The first Suffolks were brought to this country in 1888 by Mr. G.B. Streeter of Chazy, New York. During a visit to England the previous year, Mr. Streeter had been greatly impressed by Suffolk sheep. These prize breeding animals had belonged to Joseph Smith of Hasketon, and one 21 month old ewe weighed exactly 200 pounds when she came off the ship. A 9 month old ram weighed 195 pounds and in the spring of 1890, a 7 week old twin weighed 85 pounds. That spring Streeter had a 200% lamb crop.
The Suffolk did not make its appearance in the western states until 1919. Three ewes and two rams had been donated by the English Suffolk Sheep Society to the University of Idaho. One of the rams was to be sold at auction at the National Ram Sale in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Several leading sheepmen saw these sheep at the sale and they liked what they saw. After several rounds of bidding, the ram was finally sold to Laidlaw and Brockie (developers of the Panama breed) of Muldoon, Idaho, for $500. These men were so impressed with the offspring from their Suffolk ram that they made several importations and were consistent buyers at the National Ram Sale.
Mature weights for Suffolk rams range from 250 to 350 pounds (113-159 kg), ewe weights vary from 180 to 250 pounds (81-113 kg). Fleece weights from mature ewes are between five and eight pounds(2.25-3.6 kg) with a yield of 50 to 62 percent. The fleeces are considered medium wool type with a fiber diameter of 25.5 to 33.0 microns and a spinning count of 48 to 58. The staple length of Suffolk Fleece ranges from 2 to 3.5 inches (5-6.75 cm).
The Suffolk animal is an efficient converter of grass, forbs and forage into quality meat and fiber. Therefore, efficiency is indicated by length and dimension of the body. This is the type of body that is robust, complimenting healthy longevity, efficient feed conversion under various conditions, and ease of care, and ease of lambing. Rams should be masculine, muscular, good sized and well proportioned. Ewes should be feminine, but dimensional and smooth (with a softer look). Both Rams and ewes should be structurally and reproductively sound and aesthetically attractive.
Standards - Points
Head - 18 points
The head should be black, hornless, free of wrinkles, and well covered with a thick, fine hair coat. The muzzle should be long, smooth and roman with a deep jaw that presents incisor teeth that meet the pad. Ears should be long and bell shaped, angling down towards the corner of the mouth. Eyes should be bright, full and well set. A good Suffolk head is not only beautiful, but also sets the stage for the rest of the animal.
Neck and Shoulders - 5 points
The neck should be of moderate length. Shoulders should show volume, but blending and sloping smoothly from neck into barrel. This smooth flow of contour helps facilitate ease of lambing.
Chest & Lower Rib - 10 points
The chest should be wide and deep. These dimensions should be carried back into the lower rib. Ewes should exhibit the capacity and rib to convert forages and carry multiple lambs. This adds to the constitution (health and longevity) of the animal.
Back & Loin - 20 points
The back should have a straight spine from the base of the neck to the tail head. The ribs should be wide and well sprung at top, carrying down deep. The loin should be wide, long and thick in depth. These points represent correctness, capacity and meat qualities.
Rump and Twist - 17 points
The rump should be long, wide and level from hooks to pins. Ideally, the width of the sheep across the hooks should be equal to one third of its height at the withers. The tail head should be wide level and well set, carrying width down through stifles. It should be enhanced with a broad, deep, full twist. This area is the heaviest meat producing area of the carcass.
Legs and Feet - 15 points
The legs should be straight and black with good heavy flat smooth bones in the shanks. Fore and rear legs set well apart. Front legs should be set under the animal and not out at sides. Pasterns should be short with toes pointing straight ahead. An animal should walk with a long smooth gait and should track as wide or wider on the hind legs as the front legs. These points accommodate a heavy, fast growing body with structural soundness and mobility and contribute to the attractiveness of the animal.
Fleece, Skin and Belly - 5 points
The fleece should be dense, free of dark fiber and not shading into dark hair or wool. Belly should be well covered with wool. Wool should not extend below the knees and hocks. Skin should be soft and pink. These points support the uniquely striking aesthetic qualities about a Suffolk with its contrasting black hair and white wool.
Reproductive Areas - 10 points
Yearling rams should display a minimum of 35 centimeters scrotal circumference. The testicles on rams should be of even, smooth symmetrical shape with the epididymids well defined. They are contained by a scrotum that is not split at the bottom. Ewes that are milking should have well developed udders (like a very large half of cantaloupe melon) with teats of medium length and circumference, which are well placed. Vulvas on ewes should be of good shape and point down. Ewes should exhibit large capacity especially through the reproductive areas to facilitate and carry multiple lambs. Note that all the parts listed before reproduction (no matter how good) are moot unless the ram is of good fertility and the ewe is able to conceive and feed her offspring well.
TOTAL: 100 Points
Disqualifications
• Small testicles (below 35 cm at 12 months of age)
• One testicle
• Parrot-mouth
• Hermaphrodite (animals having both male and female organs)
• Inguinal Hernia
Discriminate Against (points that effect the health & function of the body)
• Post or straight legged
• Sickle hocked
• Flat or weak pasterns
• Crooked, bowed or bent legs
• Long Jaws (Incisor teeth extending in front of the pad)
• Balloon teats
• Pendulous udders and low capacity udders
• Excessive black fiber in wooled area
• White speckling or splotching on bellies, inside legs, or on necks or jaws
• Weak heart girth
• Wild or uncontrollable dispositions
• Upturned vulva
• Inverted eyelids
• Prolapsed uterus or rectum
• Horns
• Split testes
• Cow hocks
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