The Dala Fur sheep is a breed of domestic sheep which was originated from Sweden. It is one of several sheep breeds that are remnents of the old Swedish landrace breed.
And it is one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep breeds. The breed is also known as Dala pälsfår locally, because it’s wool was used in Dalarna’s traditional folk costumes.
The Dala Fur sheep is one of the old Swedish sheep breeds, and they were used to be common all over the country. But today, it’s pretty rare.
There were only 160 heads in 2000, 95 in 2002 and around 2006 animals were available in 2006. Read some more information about this Swedish sheep breed below.
Dala Fur Sheep Characteristics
The Dala Fur sheep are medium sized animals. They are primarily white in color with about 90 percent white population, and only about 10 percent other colored.
The ewes are generally polled, but most of the rams are horned. Around 90 percent rams are horned and only about 10 percent are polled. And horns of the rams are large circular that are triangular in cross-section with a flattened tip.
The Dala Fur sheep are relatively compact in size with short, often wool-less tail and variable wool. Their coat is long which can be wavy or straight.
Average live body weight of the mature Dala Fur rams is around 60 kg. And average live body weight of the mature ewes is around 45 kg. Photo and info from North SheD and Wikipedia.
Uses
The Dala Fur sheep is a pretty rare breed today. Previously it was used as a dual-purpose animal for producing both meat and wool.
Special Notes
The Dala Fur sheep is a short but very hardy breed. It is one of the unimproved remnants of older Swedish landrace sheep breeds that were common all over the country.
Traditionally the breed was used for both meat and wool production. The wool had to be just the right quality, very curly and finer than that of most other Swedish sheep breeds.
The breed was also used for meat production. The lambs were traditionally slaughtered at 2 months and 10 days of age to be used for the costumes.
The white fleece was preferred because of this use, and still today most of the Dala Fur sheep are white.
Along with wool production, the breed is also very good for quality meat production. However, review full breed profile of these sheep in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Dala Fur |
| Other Name | Dala pälsfår |
| Breed Purpose | Meat and wool |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong animals, short, one of the unimproved Swedish landrace sheep breeds, used for both meat and wool traditionally, wool is of pretty good quality, the wool is very curly and finer than that of most other Swedish sheep breeds, good for both meat and wool production |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Weight | 45 to 60 kg |
| Horns | The rams are horned, but the ewes are polled |
| Climate Tolerance | Local climates |
| Color | White |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Sweden |
