The Woolen Archive
A flock of cream-fleeced sheep grazing on rolling highland moorland at golden hour
A Definitive Encyclopedia

The Woolen Archive

The sheep, elevated — from pastoral byproduct to the protagonist of human civilization. Explore the breeds, products, history and wonders of the flock.

Explore the Breed Index The History of Sheep
The Global Ten

The ten most common sheep breeds worldwide

The high-fashion catwalk of ovine royalty — each portrait a study of fleece, fibre and lineage.

Close-up portrait of a Merino sheep showing the texture of its fleece
01

Merino

Spain (now global, esp. Australia)·Fine wool·11–24 μm
Close-up portrait of a Suffolk sheep showing the texture of its fleece
02

Suffolk

England, United Kingdom·Medium wool·26–32 μm
Close-up portrait of a Dorper sheep showing the texture of its fleece
03

Dorper

South Africa·Hair / Minimal wool wool·— μm
Close-up portrait of a Romney sheep showing the texture of its fleece
04

Romney

Kent, England·Long wool·30–38 μm
Close-up portrait of a Lincoln sheep showing the texture of its fleece
05

Lincoln

Lincolnshire, England·Long (heaviest fleece) wool·34–41 μm
Close-up portrait of a Hampshire sheep showing the texture of its fleece
06

Hampshire

Hampshire, England·Medium wool·25–31 μm
Close-up portrait of a Rambouillet sheep showing the texture of its fleece
07

Rambouillet

France·Fine wool·18–24 μm
Close-up portrait of a Scottish Blackface sheep showing the texture of its fleece
08

Scottish Blackface

Scotland, United Kingdom·Coarse / Long wool·30–40 μm
Close-up portrait of a Texel sheep showing the texture of its fleece
09

Texel

Netherlands·Medium wool·28–33 μm
Close-up portrait of a Dorset sheep showing the texture of its fleece
10

Dorset

Dorset, England·Medium wool·26–33 μm
Still life of sheep-derived products: wool sweater, lanolin jar and yarn on stone

The Alchemy of Sheep

From fleece to lanolin, parchment to cheese — the products born of the flock.

Did you know

"Sheep can recognise up to 50 individual faces and remember them for years — including human faces, not just those of other sheep."

Cambridge University — Babraham Institute, 2001 facial recognition studyMore fun facts

We use only essential local storage to remember your privacy preference — no tracking cookies. You may accept or manage your preferences. See our Privacy Policy.