Why Dorpers

The Dorper is a South African mutton breed developed in the 1930's from crossing  Dorset Horn Rams with Black Headed Persian Ewes. The breed was developed for the arid extensive regions of South Africa. They are one of the most fertile of sheep breeds that is hornless with good body length and a short light covering of hair and wool. The breed has the characteristic black head (Dorper) as well as white heads (White Dorper). Furthermore the breed shows exceptional adaptability, hardiness, reproduction rates and growth (reaching 80 lbs at three and a half to four months) as well as good mothering abilities.

The Dorper is an easy care breed which requires a minimum of labor. Its skin covering, which is a mixture of hair and wool, will drop off if not shorn to keep it tidy. The Dorper has a thick skin which is highly prized and protects the sheep under harsh climatic conditions. Dorper skin is the most sought after sheepskin in the world and is marketed under the name of Cape Glovers. The skin comprises a high percentage of the income (20%) of the total carcass value.

With decent conditions, Dorper lambs grow quickly, usually reaching a weaning weight of 80 pounds in 12 to 14 weeks. This is associated with the inherent growth potential of the Dorper lamb and its ability to graze at an early age. The carcass is muscular and lean, with a nice quarter-inch layer of fat below the skin that keeps the carcass moist in the shipping process—but very little of the intra-muscular fat that discourages buyers and causes a stronger tasting meat.

The Dorper Lamb's meat has a very mild, pleasant flavor sought after by gourmet chefs.

"They're the sheep industry's answer to the Boer goat.

Compared to other sheep, The Dorper boasts above-average lambing percentages. The Dorper has a long breeding season which is not seasonally limited. A good manager can organize his program so that lambs can be dropped at any time of the year. The breed is fertile and the percentage of ewes that become pregnant in one mating season is relatively high. Lambing intervals can be eight months. Three lamb crops can usually be obtained from Dorper Ewes in two years. A lambing percentage of 150 percent can frequently be obtained with Dorper and White Dorper. A Dorper ewe can produce 2.25 lambs on an annual basis.

They are also very good foragers and good mothers with excellent milk production.

A few years ago, the Dorper, which was developed in the 1930s, was a little known commodity. Today, while Full Blood Dorper still command top price, Dorper genetics (American Pure Bred) are much more affordable, and the breed is gaining respect with even the most skeptical shepherds.