[Cazzie]

I'll second the sentiment from Marches Farmer regarding size.....they eat less, you're able to do without a trailer, and it's cheaper at the vets as less anaesthetic/meds are needed if problems arise.  And speaking as a woman who is less than 5ft tall with a husband who is away often, it means that I can manage the sheep all by myself 
Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide.

[SteveHants]

Well i'v actually decided that crossbreads are probably for me!Seeing as purebread animals often have health problems and also they seem to be pretty expensive!I am currently looking at some shetlands with Jacob in them.

Sounds sensible to me!

[plumseverywhere]

We have texel crosses ( some suffolk/texel and others who knows what with texel!)  they are large. I have to dag and sort feet out on them on my own but I have learnt to adapt as I have a dodgy back and can now do them standing like a horse would for hooves etc.
I had them from day old so they are silly tame. They came from a farmer recommended by the vet and they had 24 hours plus of colostrum, were tagged and castrated. No health problems at all (we've been lucky!)

[quiltycats]

Reiterating what others have said to the effect of, individual animals have individual temperaments. IF strictly for pets then I don't really see why breeding ewes and all the inherent issues with sires and lambing is necessary. Children get bored quickly of pets, pregnancies go wrong and animals need welfare from birth to death.