Breed Description

Head & Face

Head carried well, not too high; neat, cleanly chiselled, wide between the ears, slightly tapering to the nostrils. No sign of horns and carrying a light forelock. Face in general form wedge shaped and covered with short, white hairs. Lips and nostrils black. Black specks on face and ears not objectionable. Face tending to blue.

Eyes/Ears

Eyes full sized and bright. Ears medium sized and alert. Black spots not objectionable.

Neck/Shoulders/Chest

Neck is of medium length, strong and level with back. Shoulders are upright and wide over the tops. Breast should be deep, wide and prominent.

Back/Ribs

Back is wide and level, well filled up behind the shoulders, giving a great girth, showing thickness throughout the heart and carrying firm even flesh. The ribs are well sprung.

Hind Quarters

Full sized and square, showing good legs of mutton. Tail well set on, almost level with back.

Legs & Feet

Legs straight, well set on and wide apart. Short cannon bones, good pasterns, not sloping, and devoid of rust on legs. Hoofs black.

Skin

Healthy pink colour.

Carriage

Free, active and well balanced.

Fleece 32-38 microns (40s - 46s count)

Dense, free, even and highly lustrous; lock medium width, showing small, well defined wave or crimp from skin to tip.

Constitution & General Appearance

Alert, robust, showing style and character.

Meat

The English Leicester is a dual purpose sheep. Confirmation pertains to quality cuts of meat. Broad flat back allows development of eye muscle whilst the full, rounded hindquarter provides two well muscled legs.

In late Spring 2000 English Leicester August drop lambs were well received by restaurants in Melbourne, Australia. The trial was run by "Foodgatherers", a Melbourne based speciality food business. Chefs were able to appreciate the particular flavour of this selected lambmeat - delicate, pink fleshed, comparing it to veal. Hoggets (2 tooth) also make highly acceptable eating.

English Leicester meat is now available at selected Farmers’ Markets in Victoria and Tasmania.