All About Dorpers

What's the deal with Dorpers?

Dorper sheep are a fairly new breed that originated in South Africa in the 1940s. They were developed by crossing a Dorset with a Blackhead Persian, creating a "Dor"set - "Per"sian.

Introduced in the United States in the 1990s, the Dorper is quickly gaining in popularity. As a low-maintenance, fast-maturing breed, they are a sustainable option for many producers.

Low Maintenance

Dorpers are a hair breed, whereas a majority of sheep breeds have wool. Since they shed, producers are able to take advantage of minimal shearing requirements. This breed is also known to be non-selective grazers with excellent feed conversion attributes.

Fast Growing

Unlike some heritage breeds, Dorpers are designed for efficiency. Good maturity is reached at 4-6 months of age, allowing for a faster return. Weaning at 60 days allows producers to take advantage of 3 lamb crops in a two-year span.

Excellent Meat Quality

Wool sheep produce an oil called "lanolin" which leads to a gamey flavor in lamb meat. As a hair breed, Dorpers do not produce as much lanolin, when leads to a much milder flavor. Fast to mature, Dorpers also produce excellent quality meat that is tender and flavorful.

Durability

Developed in South Africa, Dorpers have a natural heat and insect tolerance. This allows the breed to be productive in areas less desirable for other breeds.