Description

Overview
The Dorper is a hardy, fast-growing meat sheep breed originally developed in South Africa in the 1930s by crossing Dorset Horn rams with Blackhead Persian ewes. Bred for arid conditions, the Dorper excels in harsh climates and is known for its adaptability, excellent mothering instincts, and ability to produce high-quality carcasses without the need for shearing.

---

Origin

The breed was developed by the South African Department of Agriculture to create a sheep that could thrive in dry, low-rainfall regions. The Dorper’s ancestors—the Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian—contributed valuable traits: the Dorset’s fast-growing, meaty carcass and the Persian’s heat tolerance and low-maintenance hair coat.

---

Characteristics

Size and Build
Dorpers are medium-sized, stocky sheep with a deep body and strong legs, giving them a blocky, muscular appearance ideal for meat production.

• Weight:

  • Ewes: 150–180 pounds (68–82 kg)

  • Rams: 200–275 pounds (90–125 kg)

• Height:

  • Ewes: ~24–28 inches (61–71 cm) at the withers

  • Rams: Slightly taller

Coat and Color
There are two types of Dorpers:

• Dorper: Black head and white body

• White Dorper: Completely white
  The coat is a mix of wool and hair, which sheds naturally, minimizing the need for shearing and reducing parasite load.

Distinctive Features

• Black or white face depending on the type

• Thick, supple skin (highly valued in the leather industry)

• Short, broad heads

• Drooping ears

---

Meat Production

Dorpers are primarily bred for meat. They are known for producing high-quality, tender lamb with a mild flavor. Their rapid growth rate and ability to fatten on pasture make them highly efficient for meat production.

• Carcass quality: High dressing percentage (usually 50–59%)

• Market lamb weight: 80–100 pounds (36–45 kg) at about 4–6 months old

---

Temperament

Dorpers are docile, calm, and easy to handle. They are excellent grazers and can thrive on poor-quality forage, making them ideal for low-input systems.

Key Traits:

• Hardy and adaptable

• Fertile with a long breeding season

• Good mothers with high lamb survival rates

• Low maintenance (no shearing needed)

---

Uses

• Meat production: Main commercial use

• Land management: Excellent grazers, often used to control brush

• Breeding stock: Valued for improving meat quality and hardiness in other flocks