[Jacob-list] Re: [primitive]

[Thomas Simmons]

OK Linda, thom weighing in now......

I tend to start with the same idea as ALBC, that "primitive" means "unimproved;"  that which would naturally occur if breeding was not selective for certain traits but more "random" in a large feral population.  So, to me, the "Park Look" is the exact opposite:  an effort to create a standard of "beauty" which would not normally happen on its own.

Having said that, my own Jacobs come from about a diverse a bunch of flocks as possible, and to the untrained eye it looks like I have 5 or 6 different breeds running around here!  The Killorglins are dark and deer-like; the Lasseaus are light (even yellowed); the Northcotes are apricot; my Maple Hill ewes (Hi Betty!) have about the nicest, symmetrical horns I have ever seen.  I run from 90% white to 90% black, and I love the diversity!  But there are some I see as defintiely "primitive" in look, and others that look more "standardized."

Anyway...as for "primitive" in MY humble book- - - primitive characteristics would be the following:  deer-like appearance (one Canadian border crossing guard thought I was transporting deer once!) with "narrow tracking" and rather "leggy."  In other words, the legs seem to carry them higher off of the ground than the non-primitives....and they tend to be browsers as easily as grazers - and will even pull down saplings to get the leaves, and eat oak and wild cherry without thinking twice (or getting sick).

I also find that, unlike the typical 60/40 ratio, they tend to be very dark or very light...in fact, I have heard that the feral flock on Butter Island (Maine) is exactly this way, with very few in the 60/40 range.

Manes, kemp, beards, and a lack of anything - wool or hair - on the belly are also some of those traits.

I also tend to see asymmetrical horns and eye patches as being "primitive."  One ewe I now have - which I would consider one of my two most "primitive" looking - has 4 horns:  two on the right are fused solid, while the two on the left are very seperate and go in quite different directions.  This same ewe has a huge eye patch on the fused side, and a tiny eye patch on the other side; overall, she is about 85%-90% white; and has NOTHING (not even hair) on her belly.

In looking at your sheep, the one you named "Janice" strikes me immediately as the more primitive looking, although she does not appear as "leggy' as some I've seen; she is similar to my Lasseau gals.  On the other hand, if my flock is any indication, it's often hard to tell what the adult will look like from the lamb!  And, elements like kemp, belly, browsing habits, gait, etc., are not something I can tell from a picture.  

For the record, I have already fallen in love with Jadz - couldn't tell you why, she just has a "look" about her that captures me!

thom
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