Rouge de l'Ouest

The Rouge is a medium sized breed of excellent conformation without excessive bone. As its name suggests, its head, which is hornless, can vary from pink to deep red and is covered with fine hair. The breed is strong and deep through the chest with good length in back and loin, but it is the exceptional hind quarters and muscling that are immediately recognized as the powerhouse of the Rouge.

The Rouge de l'Ouest is of the same origin as the Bleu du Maine, but with a distinctive pink face and legs. It is used primarily for market lamb production, though was originally kept as a dairy sheep to produce Camembert cheese. However; French breeders concentrated on breeding their animals for superior conformation, whilst retaining prolificacy and milkiness. The name Rouge de l'Ouest (usually shorted to Rouge) translates as Red of the West, describing both the color and origin of the breed.

Breed category: meat, medium wool Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe