Southdown_(sheep)
Southdown sheep
British breed of sheep
The Southdown is a British breed of domestic sheep,[6]: 918 [2] the smallest of the British breeds.[7]: 23 It is a shortwool breed, and the basis of the whole Down group of breeds. It was originally bred by John Ellman of Glynde, near Lewes in East Sussex, in about 1800.[7]: 23 It has been exported to many countries; it has been of particular importance in New Zealand, where it was used in the breeding of Canterbury lamb. In the twenty-first century it is kept principally as a terminal sire.[8]: 282
It is listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust among the UK native breeds; it was formerly listed as "priority" or "at risk".[3]