Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep

Lore & Background

The Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep is a distinct variety of the Welsh Mountain breed, bred for sheep farming in Wales. It is known for its hardiness and ability to graze rough hills and terrain. The breed appears in two sub-varieties: the Torddu, meaning 'black-bellied,' which has a white fleece with a dark face and belly, and the Torwen, meaning 'white-bellied,' which has a black body with a white belly and white stripes over the eyes. The Torddu is the more common of the two types. In both types, ewes are polled and rams are horned. Although the breed grows wool, it is primarily raised for meat.

Reader's Guide

The Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep is significant as a distinct variety of the Welsh Mountain breed, adapted to the harsh upland conditions of Wales. Its hardiness and ability to thrive on rough terrain make it valuable for sheep farming in such environments. The breed is noted for producing a high percentage of twins and triplets under good conditions, contributing to its utility for meat production. However, its numbers declined by 30 percent since 2013, leading to its addition to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist in 2021. The RBST partnered with the Badger Face Welsh Mountain Sheep Society to encourage further breeding and prevent further decline. The breed's two sub-varieties, Torddu and Torwen, add to its distinctiveness, with the Torddu being more common. Its legacy lies in its role as a hardy, productive upland breed facing conservation challenges.

Did You Know?

• The breed appears in two sub-varieties: Torddu ('black-bellied') and Torwen ('white-bellied').
• Ewes are polled and rams are horned in both types.
• The breed is primarily raised for meat, though it grows wool.
• In 2021, it was added to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist due to a 30 percent decline in numbers since 2013.