Foundation Ewes: Finnsheep |
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| "Finnsheep are a multi-purpose breed. In their native Finland, where they are known as Finnish Landrace Sheep, they are raised for meat, wool and pelts. In the United States, their primary use has been in cross-breeding programs to increase the lambing percentage of commercial flocks. Recently, Finnsheep have been discovered by American handspinners for the color, luster and soft hand of their wool. An emerging market is the use of Finnsheep to produce lean meat favored by "ethnic" populations. Finnsheep are friendly, docile and easy keepers producing vigorous lambs that are up and nursing within minutes." - American Finnsheep Breeder's Association | |
| Finnsheep are known to produce "litters" of lambs of up to 8, breed anytime of the year and reach sexual maturity at 6 to 8 months of age. Ewes are expected to lamb by their first birthday. | |
| Arguably, Finnsheep are the Foundation breed most like the Gotlands. The main difference is in their fleece. Finnsheep have a finer fiber with more crimp than wave, although many Finnsheep have a lustrous, almost longwool type fleece. | |
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| Two black Finn ewes. Many Finnsheep have white spots. | Two White Finn ewes. |
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| A fine, crimpy Finnsheep fleece. | This Finn fleece has more luster and looser wave. |
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The photo at left shows a Black Finn ewe with her white 50% Gotland yearling daughter. Both have been recently sheared. Some Finnsheep have the dominant black gene which can result in white offspring when bred to Gotland rams. |
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This is a dark grey 50% Gotland Ewe lamb out of a black Finnsheep ewe. She has a lot more curl to her fleece than her Finn dam does. |
| The fleece at right is from a 50% Gotland 50% Finn ram lamb. The wave is wider and more three dimensional than the Finn dam. The fleece is longer than a pure Finnsheep and finer than a pure Gotland. |  |
| American Finnsheep Breeder's Association | |
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