The Sarda is a breed of domestic sheep indigenous to the island of Sardinia.^[1] It is raised throughout Italy,^[2] and in other Mediterranean countries, particularly Tunisia.^[3] The Sarda is considered to be among the best Italian breeds of sheep for production of sheep's milk; most of the milk is used to make pecorino sardo cheese.^[3] The Sarda is highly adaptable; it may be kept on lowland or on mountainous terrains, and is suitable both for intensive and for extensive or transhumant management.^[3] The long, coarse white wool is used for weaving carpets and other goods.^{[citation needed]}

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries a number of attempts were made to improve the breed by cross-breeding with Merino, Rambouillet, Barbaresca, Gentile di Puglia, Sopravissana and Vissana breeds among others. These experiments invariably had a negative impact on milk production.^[3] Recent selection has been aimed at improving the conformation of the udder and at making it more suitable for mechanised milking.^[4]

The Sarda is one of the seventeen autochthonous Italian sheep breeds for which a genealogical herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.^[4] The herdbook was established in 1928. Total numbers for the breed are estimated at 5,000,000;^[3] in 2013 the number recorded in the herdbook was 225,207.^[5]