[Jacob-list] Opinion regarding "true Jacob"

[BIDE WEE]

Hi Peggy, 
Every breeder of Jacob sheep has their own preference as to how they prefer their animal's legs (and other parts) to look but as far as the breed standard goes, white legs are perfectly acceptable.  As evidence I've copied the section from the JSBA Breed Standard "Desirable Traits" section on "Legs", and a paragraph "About Jacob Sheep" which I found on the JSC website.  For future shows you might consider carrying several copies of the breed standard with you so you can hand a copy to anyone who is confused about what's acceptable and what's not.


For JSBA - Breed Standard: Desirable Traits (found at: http://www.jsba.org/standard.htm)

LEGS: 
Set square on all corners, standing firm, well-balanced 
Fine boned and of medium length 
Free of wool below the knees 
Color: white with or without colored patches 
Hooves are black or striped 
For JSC - I couldn't locate the breed standard on their website but found "What is a Jacob sheep" which addresses markings (found at: http://www.jacobsheepconservancy.org/jsc_about.htm)

"Both rams and ewes exhibit the black markings, some of which are breed specific and some are random. Breed specific markings occur as black patches on the muzzle, around the eyes, nape of the neck, ears, pasterns, knees and hocks. The desired Jacob face is often referred to as "Badger-faced" with black cheeks and muzzle with a white blaze down the front of the face. The skin around the eyes and nose should be black. Random spots occur on the rest of the body and legs. The color pattern is approximately 50% black to white, though a great variation in the amount of black occurs. Each Jacob has distinctive markings which enables the shepherd to identify specific sheep at a distance. In addition to breed specific markings, there may be evidence of markings that are common in particular lines: large muzzle markings, lack of leg markings, lack of muzzle marking, etc." 
Several years ago at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival the sheep show judge was a woman who raises Jacob sheep in Ireland.  She placed Jacobs with leg spots at the back of each class. Ater the first class I quietly mentioned to her that legs spots are perfectly acceptable according to the US Jacob breed standard.  Her response... "Jacob sheep should have white legs!"

Karen Lobb

bide a wee farm
registered Jacob and Navajo-Churro sheep
19562 NE Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132
503-538-7987 ~ karen at bideaweefarm.com 
www.bideaweefarm.com 
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