Dorper Breed Standard

The Dorper Breed Standard Of Excellence

The purpose of the breed standard is to indicate the animal’s. Degree of excellence by description and score by points. These are the adjudged according to visual appearance and performance, to aid stud-breeding selection, and to assist new breeders. These values are recorded to give a true reflection of the positive or negative traits of the sheep, and are used for comparative analysis within a flock. Approved inspectors class the sheep and enter the classing detail on the registration record of the inspected animals. At the time of inspection the animals will be tagged and the number forwarded to the society. The inspection is quality assessment on a voluntary basis. The breed standard is adapted from South African Standard of Excellence.
The following comprises the Breed Standard
1. Conformation: represented by the symbol B.
(a) Head:

Strong and long, with large eyes, widely spaced and protectively placed. Strong nose, strong well shaped mouth with well-fitted deep jaws. The forehead must not be dished. The size of the ears must be in relation to the head. A developed horn base or small horns is the ideal, heavy horns are undesirable but permissible. The head must be covered with short, dullish black hair in the Dorper and dull, white hair in the White Dorper. The head must be dry i.e. without indications of fat localization.

(b) Fore-quarter and Neck:

The neck should be of medium length, well-fleshed and broad and well-coupled to the forequarters. Shoulders firm, broad and strong. Chest deep and wide and may slant slightly upwards. A prominent protruding brisket is undesirable. Forelegs strong, straight and well-placed with strong pasterns. Hoofs not too widely split.

(c) Barrel:

The ideal is a long, deep wide body, ribs well sprung, loin broad and full. The sheep must have a long straight back and not have "devil's grip". A slight dip behind the shoulders is permissible.

(d) Hind-quarter:

A long and wide rump is the ideal. The inner and outer twist to be well fleshed and deep in adult animals The hind legs must be strong and well-placed, with sturdy feet and strong pasterns. Faulty pasterns must be discriminated against according to degree. The hocks must be strong without a tendency to turn in or out. Sickle or perpendicular hocks are undesirable.

(e) Udder and Sex Organs:

A well-developed udder and sex organs are essential in the ewe. The scrotum of the ram should not be too long and the testicles should be of equal size and not too small.

(f) General Appearance:

The sheep should be symmetrical and well-proportioned. A calm temperament with a vigorous appearance is the ideal.

2. Size or Growth Rate: represented by the symbol G.
A sheep with a good weight for its age is the ideal Discrimination against extremely small or extremely big animals must be exercised.

3. Distribution of Fat: represented by the symbol D.
Too much localisation of fat on any part of the body is undesirable. An even distribution of a thin layer of fat over the carcass and between the muscle-fibres is the ideal. The sheep must be firm and muscular when handled.

4. Colour Pattern: represented by the symbol P.
Dorpers: A white sheep with black confined to the head and neck is the ideal. Black spots, to a limited extent on the body and legs are permissible, but an entirely white sheep or a sheep predominantly black is undesirable. Brown hair around the eyes, white teats, white under the tail and white hoofs are undesirable.
White Dorpers: A white sheep, fully pigmented around the eyes, under the tai I, on the udder and the teats is the ideal. A limited number of other coloured spots is permissible on the ears and underline.

5. Cover or Fleece: represented by the symbol H.
The ideal is a short, loose, light covering of hair and wool with wool predominating on fore quarter and with a natural clean kemp underline. Too much wool or hair is undesirable and exclusively wool or hair is a fault. Manes are a disqualification.

6. Type: represented by the symbol T.
Type is judged according to the degree to which the sheep conforms to the general requirements of the breed. Emphasis is placed on Conformation, Size and Fat distribution when determining type, while Colour and Covering are of secondary importance.