Berrichon du Cher

The Berrichon du Cher is a French breed of domestic sheep. It is one of two breeds derived from the old Berrichon of the Berry region of central France, the other being the Berrichon de l'Indre. The Berrichon derived from the Boischaut, Brenne, Champagne and Crevat breeds, all of which are now considered to be extinct. Images of the Berrichon from the sixteenth century show a horned long-woolled sheep; by the eighteenth century the Berrichon was polled and had wool of Merino type. In the nineteenth century some breeders crossbred the Berrichon with British breeds such as the Cotswold, Dishley Leicester, Romney and Southdown with the aim of improving its meat qualities; there was also some intromission from the Charmoise.[1]: 758  The Berrichon du Cher derives from these crosses.

Berrichon du cher sheep

From French stock imported some 40 years ago, British breeders have developed what they regard as a distinct sub-breed which they have named British Berrichon.[2] Breed sales are held several times a year.[3] and many of the top agricultural shows, including the Royal Three Counties, the Royal Bath & West, the Royal Highland and England's biggest show, Great Yorkshire Show, hold separate classes for British Berrichons.[4] The British breeders are mainly based in the West from Devon up to Scotland.[5]

Characteristics

Both sexes are polled (hornless). The sheep have medium wool and are white.

The rams weigh 110 kg (240 lb) and ewes weigh 70 kg (150 lb) on average. At the withers, rams grow to 73 cm (29 in) and ewes to 68 cm (27 in).[6]

See also

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Berrichon du Cher.
  1. Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  2. The British Berrichon Sheep Society. The British Berrichon Sheep Society. Accessed October 2021.
  3. "The British Berrichon Sheep Society - Upcoming Events". The British Berrichon Sheep Society. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. "The British Berrichon Sheep Society - Show". The British Berrichon Sheep Society. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  5. "The British Berrichon Sheep Society - Society Members". The British Berrichon Sheep Society. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  6. "Berrichon Du Cher/France". Breed data sheet. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
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