Awassi

The Awassi is a dairy sheep from the Near East, belonging to the fat-tailed type. It holds the title of the most widespread dairy breed outside of Europe and is also the most common sheep breed across southwestern Asia. This breed goes by several alternative names, such as Arab, Baladi, Deiri, Gezirieh, Ivesi, Shami, and Syrian. Its typical appearance is a white body with a brown head and brown legs.

The breed’s history is rooted in the ancient region of Mesopotamia, between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in what is now Iraq and Syria, though its exact origins are unknown. Its name likely comes from Al-ʿAwās, a Bedouin tribe in northern Syria. The Awassi is the primary sheep of Iraq and Syria and the only native sheep of Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon. As of 2024, it is found in eighteen countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe, with a total population estimated at 2.85 million. Turkey reports the largest population, with the Ivesi variety numbering between 1.7 and 2.9 million head. Other significant populations include over 360,000 in Palestine and about 200,000 in Lebanon. In 2006, Syria reported a population of roughly 13.5 million. This breed has also contributed to the creation of several modern breeds, including the Assaf, Israeli Awassi, Pak Awassi, Neimi, and Shafali. Genetic research includes the re-sequencing of the whole genome of Awassi rams in Jordan in 2020 and of ewes there in 2021.

In terms of characteristics, the Awassi is a moderately sized sheep. Ewes average 68 kg in weight and 50 cm in height, while rams average 70 kg and 76 cm. While the usual coloring is white with a brown head and legs, the face can also be white, grey, black, or spotted, and occasionally a solid brown or black coat appears. The breed has a convex facial profile and pendulous ears. Rams typically have horns, while ewes are usually polled (hornless). During the hot summer months, hyperthermia can lower ram fertility, but this recovers quickly when temperatures drop in autumn.

Though classified as a dairy sheep, the Awassi is commonly raised for meat, milk, and wool. In Syria, it supplies all of the country’s wool, about 30% of its milk, and roughly 80% of its red meat. In Iraq, it is primarily bred for meat production.