Rhoen

One of the oldest landraces in Germany was mentioned in 1844 in the files of the convent of Fulda: “The common sheep of the Rhoen farmer is a normal German sheep with peculiar characteristics, which even in foreign countries is known as Rhöenschaf. It is yellow-white with a black hornless head and is clothed in coarse, non-elastic wool, with little crimp. Its body is large, the bones are strong, and it lends itself to fattening.”

Pictures from 1873 show that the Rhöenschaf then was similar to the one of today, despite crossbreeding attempts with Cotswold, Oxfordshire, and Merino rams. Even today it is a medium to large-sized sheep with long legs and no horns. It is the only breed with white legs and black head that is free of wool.

This extremely hardy and frugal landrace is well suited for the wet climates of rough highlands, where it is useful in landscape preservation. In the higher regions, the sheep feed on rough grasses and tree sprouts; in lower areas, they groom the meadows that are dotted with fruit trees.