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The Ouessant Sheep Society

The wonderful Ouessant sheep is a rare breed of heritage sheep originally from the island of Ouessant in Brittany. Ouessants are renowned for their character, their hardiness and for their status as the smallest naturally occurring breed of sheep in the world.

The Ouessant Sheep Society was formed by a group of like minded breeders and enthusiasts in February 2005 and has since grown to include over 90 flocks across the UK. The Society exists to protect, promote and improve the Ouessant breed, providing members with information and advice on the care and welfare of Ouessants, and representing the interests of owners and their sheep in the UK and abroad.

Membership

Members have access to a wide range of Society resources, including the flock book register of all pedigree Ouessants in the UK, advice on care and welfare, discussion forums, regional events and the ability to advertise sheep for sale or hire.

For more information, or to join the Society, click on the link below:

The Breed

The Isle of Ouessant, off the coast of Brittany, is swept by the full force of Atlantic weather, and its hardy sheep adapted to survive in all weathers on poor grazing. As a result, the Ouessant is the smallest recognized breed of sheep in the world, with a ram’s shoulder height up to 49cm and a ewe’s up to 46cm (around 18 inches).

Sheep

Ouessant sheep are intelligent, inquisitive, gentle and full of character.

Wool

The Ouessant sheep carries a thick fleece of long wool with a dense undercoat.

Colour

Ouessants may be Black, Brown or White, with some variation of these basic colours

History

Sailors and visitors to Ouessant noted its peculiar small sheep as long ago as 1754.

Keeping Ouessants

Ouessants - tiny sheep with huge characters - are the ideal choice for first-time sheep-keepers. Their small size and friendly temperament make them very easy to handle. Many owners in the UK use them to keep the grass down in paddocks or orchards without the damage caused by larger animals. And their size also makes them suitable for smaller areas; subject to the quality of the grazing.

OSS Marketplace

The Society maintains a register of all pedigree Ouessant sheep in the UK. Members of the Society may advertise sheep for sale and hire in the online flock book and in the Marketplace section of this website. The Society makes no guarantees but strongly recommends that prospective buyers use the Marketplace. When buying elsewhere they are advised to check the vendor is a member of the Society and that the sheep is a registered Ouessant, with a valid registration certificate.

VISIT THE MARKETPLACE