[PipKelpy]

I always liked my Shetland sheep but would like to try something different.

Black Welsh mountain (have never had) or Torwen (had 2 back around 1996 for a couple of years).

Though I understand these are smaller breeds (so were Shetlands) are they capable of putting to a bigger tup, Dorset Down or Wiltshire Horn? I am increasing the flock and we have room for another 5. But I want them to be sheep I want!

[Richmond]

I would love a Black Welsh Mountain ram to cover both our Soay and Wiltshire Horn ewes  (a nice size in between the two) but they are rare as hens teeth round here.  My husband is keen on Norfolk Horns but despite actually living in Norfolk we can't find any of those available either. Very frustrating!

Good luck with your search!

[roddycm]

Big black welsh fan, had them for many many years before leaving the UK. They tame down easily and are very easy to lamb and look after generally. Have seen quite a few shetland x BWM and the cross is a hardy sheep that is pleasing to look at too! Get them from a well-handled flock and you should not have any issues! I had a good stock fence on the boundary and then internal divisions were just 3 strands of electric fence... never had one escape!

[Eeyore-77]

I started out with BWM. Have to say they are gorgeous. They are also very milky and fantastic mums. Bred them to a BWM tup 1st year, and most were alright. But one had a problem lambing a tup lamb that had big horn buds already. Bred them to a Texel tup for the last 5-6 years and they give big lambs and the boys have no, or tiny buds.
Kept back some of the cross girls and they developed into lovely big mums and lots of milk again. Very friendly and come racing up to a bucket and some even just want a scratch.
1st generation from the BWM mum are all black if put to a white tup, 2nd generation I’ve found has a mix, some white, some black so interesting each year to find out what we get. Twin cross lambs will grow to kill out at 6months at about 18-20kg deadweight and the meat is fantastic.
I’d recommend BWM.

[JFW67]

Matched mine to a Herdwick and all fine.