Dutch Spotted Sheep

Dutch Spotted Sheep (DSS) are domestic sheep from the Netherlands.

They are a dual-purpose breed, meaning they are raised for both meat and wool.

Although they have existed in the Netherlands for over a hundred years, in most countries where they are now raised, they are considered a new sheep breed.

The Dutch Spotted Sheep are a breed to watch because they are growing in popularity across different countries.

Their history shows that they came from old Dutch sheep breeds, which were mixed with other European breeds to improve their size and quality. Farmers wanted sheep that could grow quickly and provide good meat.

The original Dutch association, Nederlands Bonte Schaap, was established on October 2, 2006. In 2015, the Dutch Spotted Sheep Society was formed in the UK, and the first sheep were imported from the Netherlands.

Today, these sheep are not only in the Netherlands, UK, and US but also in other European countries.

Characteristics

Color

The color is a mix of white with black, brown, or gray spots. The spots are spread across the body in different shapes and sizes. The head and legs have darker markings, while the rest of the body has a spotted pattern. The wool is mostly white, but the skin under the spots is darker.

Wool

The wool is short, curly, and tightly packed. The shaded areas are dark and should be as close to black as possible.

Head

The head of the Dutch Spotted Sheep is sharp and straight, with a wide space between the eyes. The ears are positioned attentively and can be placed horizontally or upright.

When buying one, you should look at the ears to be alert, as drooping ears are not a desirable characteristic of the breed.

Teeth

The teeth are able to close firmly against the pad on the upper jaw, creating a strong bite. They are well-aligned and fit properly without being too far forward or too far back.

Keep in mind that if the teeth do not meet the pad correctly, the sheep is not suitable for registration.

Back

The back is strong and straight, with a well-balanced shape. It should always be level with no dips.

Legs, Feet, Shoulders

The legs are strong and well-formed, allowing the sheep to move easily. They have medium to fine bone structure and correct pasterns. The pasterns are neither too upright nor collapsed. The posture is correct, with straight and well-placed legs that do not turn inward or outward.

Tail, Udder

The tail can be left natural or docked, depending on the farmer’s choice. Both options are accepted. The udder is normal, well-formed, and free from any abnormalities.

Testicles

The testes are well-developed, firm, and equal in size. They are clearly visible in a scrotum that is not partly or fully split.

Size

Dutch Spotted Sheep are considered a large breed.

Specific measurements are not yet highly available as the breed is still quite new, but as a reference, their height and body length can be similar to other large sheep.

At 60 to 70 days old, they can reach 24 inches (61 cm) tall, 10 inches (25 cm) wide at the shoulders and hips, and 12 inches (30 cm) wide at the chest.

At adulthood, the height can range from 28 to 37 inches (70 to 95 cm), while the body length can be between 39 and 55 inches (100 to 140 cm).

Lifespan

These sheep can live up to 12 years. Their lifespan is very similar to other dual-purpose sheep breeds, such as Columbia or Hampshire.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

These sheep have a fast growth rate. Those who raise this breed often compare it to the Texel breed, which means that Dutch Spotted Sheep can grow an average of 0.44 to 0.55 lbs (200 to 250 grams) per day.

This great growth rate makes it faster to achieve market weight.

Weight

The mature weight of rams is around 253–298 lbs (115–135 kg), while ewes weigh around 165–209 lbs (75–95 kg).

Slaughter Time

You can slaughter these sheep at 6 to 8 months.

Their kill-out percentage is more than 50%, meaning that more than half of their live weight becomes usable meat. Some lambs achieve E3 grades, which is part of the EUROP grading system used in Europe to classify carcass quality.

In this system, “E” is the highest grade, meaning the lamb has an excellent muscle-to-fat ratio, and “3” indicates a moderate fat cover. This shows that Dutch Spotted Sheep produce lean, well-muscled meat.

Temperament

Dutch Spotted Sheep are known for being calm and easy-going, making them simple to care for, even for a complete beginner. They are efficient grazers that love spending time on pasture, eating grass and other nutritious plants. They do not have issues with other animals or sheep and are comfortable with human presence around their living area.

Meat and Wool

These sheep are primarily used for meat and wool production.

For meat, they produce high-quality meat that is known for its leanness. Being lean does not mean it is not tender. The tenderness and flavor are still present because it has a fine texture with good marbling, which enhances both.

Due to its lean content, it is preferred by those who want healthier lamb meat without excessive fat.

The wool of this breed is short, not very dense, and somewhat wiry, but it is still considered good for the wool market. Some people also appreciate its natural color, which is dark brown or black with cream spots.

The micron count of this wool ranges from 26 to 34, classifying it as medium wool. This range indicates that the wool is soft enough for certain garments but may not be suitable for items worn directly against sensitive skin.

Raising

Feeding

If you decide to buy and raise these sheep, you should know that when it comes to their feeding, they do very well on forage alone. They are a breed that achieves high weight quickly on grass alone, which is one of their advantages.

As long as vegetation is available, you can let them graze freely in a pasture-based system. In winter, you can provide them with hay and silage to maintain their nutrition.

Other foods you can add to their diet include legumes like clover and alfalfa for extra protein, root vegetables like turnips, sugar beets, or carrots, and mineral supplements such as salt blocks or mineral buckets.

You can also supplement their feed with grains such as barley, oats, or corn, but these should be given in small quantities to avoid health issues.

Protein meal is also beneficial, especially for pregnant ewes three weeks before lambing or for lactating ewes. A protein meal with 18% protein is suitable, and you can feed an ewe 1.2 to 1.5 kg per day to support pregnancy.

A fresh water source is also essential, and sheep should have non-stop access to clean drinking water.

Environment

To raise these sheep, you need to have a pasture-based environment. They must be raised in an area with free access to grass because this allows them to exercise their natural behavior as foragers and also feed themselves efficiently.

Climate

These sheep do well in cool to mild climates because their thick wool keeps them warm in cold weather. They can also live in warmer places, but they need shade and fresh water to stay comfortable. In very hot and dry areas, they may have problems if there is not enough grass or if they get too hot.

Since they depend on pasture for food, they are best for places with good grass and enough rain. If you live in a hot or dry area, you may need to give them extra hay, silage, or shade to keep them healthy.

Shelter

You need to provide them shelter in almost all types of climates, not because they cannot handle the cold, but to keep them healthy and protected from wet conditions, strong winds, or snow.

If you raise them in cold to mild climates, prepare a simple but insulated shelter with good ventilation. In hotter climates, you can build a shaded barn or a simple roofed shelter to keep them cool. You can also add dry bedding made of hay to help keep them warm.

In rainy areas, they require a dry and well-ventilated shelter to avoid hoof issues and wool rot. A raised floor or proper drainage helps keep the space clean and dry.

How many sheep per acre?

In high rainfall areas with fertile land, you can raise 5 to 8 sheep per acre during the warm season and 2 to 5 sheep per acre in fall and winter.

On moderate pasture with average rainfall and mixed forage, you can keep 3 to 5 sheep per acre in spring and summer, and 1 to 3 sheep per acre in fall and winter.

In areas with sparse grass, you can raise 1 to 2 sheep per acre year-round, but they may need extra feed to maintain their health.

Breeding

You can start breeding these sheep at around 10 to 12 months old. They reach puberty earlier, at 7 to 8 months, but it is best to wait a bit longer to allow them to develop fully.

These sheep are seasonal breeders, with ewes coming into heat during the autumn months when daylight decreases.

The fertility rate of this breed is high, which is one of the reasons they have become popular among farmers.

They can achieve a lambing percentage of 200%, meaning they frequently produce twins. The average gestation period is approximately 147 days, though it can vary between 142 and 152 days.

If needed, here is a Sheep Gestation Calculator & Calendar

Birth is easy, and in most cases, they do not need intervention or assistance. The lambs have a good weight and size, which helps ensure a smooth birth.

The mothering instinct of the ewes is strong, and milk production is sufficient to feed two lambs in the case of a twin birth.

Health Issues

These sheep are healthy and resilient, but they can be affected by diseases like footrot if their hooves are not trimmed regularly, or copper poisoning if they are fed diets high in copper.

To maintain the breed’s health, the breed associations have strict rules regarding health and breeding.

In 2005, new regulations were introduced to prevent Scrapie, a serious disease in sheep. Only rams with the ARR/ARR genotype, which makes them Scrapie-resistant, can be used for breeding.

Some breeders also focus on MVV-free flocks to prevent Maedi-Visna, a long-term virus that affects sheep. Only MVV-free breeders can legally export sheep.

Why should you raise it?

This sheep breed is a great choice for homesteaders but also for other types of farms.

They offer many advantages that make them affordable and practical, such as high-quality meat, manageable wool, and easy care.

They grow faster than many other breeds and can thrive on pasture alone, reducing the need for expensive supplemental feed.

They adapt well to different climates, handling cold weather with their thick wool and hot weather with proper shade. They are disease-resistant, easy to lamb, and strong mothers, making them less labor-intensive.

Not to mention, they are friendly and easy to handle.

However, one thing to consider is the initial investment, which can be higher than with other breeds. Even at auctions, Dutch Spotted Sheep sometimes sell for higher prices than breeds like Texel, Suffolk, or Beltex.

Advantages

• Fast growth rate
• High-quality meat
• Efficient grazers
• Good fertility
• Calm temperament
• Hardy and adaptable
• Great mothers
• Disease resistance

Disadvantages

• High initial cost
• Not ideal for very hot climates
• Wool is not very dense
• Limited availability. Purebred Dutch Spotted Sheep can be hard to find outside of Europe.

References

• Dutch Spotted Sheep Society NL^link
• Dutch Spotted Sheep Society US ^link
• Dutch Spotted Sheep Society UK ^link