The Criollo sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from Central America. It was developed in the highlands of Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela and Guatemala over hundreds of years.
It is known by some other names such as Venezuelan, Uruguayan, Tarhumara, Colombian, Lucero, Creole, Chilludo and Pamba.
The Spanish settlers brought the Churra with them in the mid sixteenth Century. The Churra is believed to be the ancestor of the modern day Criollo sheep.
Today the breed is raised as a meat sheep breed and raised mainly for meat production. Read some more information about this sheep breed below.
Criollo Sheep Characteristics
The Criollo sheep are relatively smaller sized animals. They are generally black in color and also white or pied. They have a coarse fleece of carpet type wool. The rams on average weight around 32.8 kg at maturity. And average live body weight of the mature ewes is about 26.1 kg. Photo and info from Vetbook and Wikipedia.
Uses
The Criollo sheep is a meat sheep breed. It is raised mainly for meat production. But it is also good for producing carpet type wool.
Special Notes
The Criollo sheep are hardy animals. They are well suited to their local climates. And they may be resistant to endoparasite infestation.
Today the breed is raised mainly for meat production. However, review full breed profile of the Criollo sheep in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Criollo |
| Other Name | Venezuelan, Uruguayan, Tarhumara, Colombian, Lucero, Creole, Chilludo and Pamba |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly meat |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong animals, well suited to their local climates, may be resistant to endoparasite infestation, today the breed is raised mainly for meat production |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Weight | Vary from 26.1 to 32.8 kg |
| Horns | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | Local climates |
| Color | White, black or pied |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Central America |
