The Guirra sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from Spain. It is also known by some other names such as Sudat and Levant Red.
Today, the breed is distributed mainly in the Mediterranean coast in the Spanish provinces of Alicante, Castellón de la Plana and Valencia.
Early history of this breed is unknown. But according to some authors, the breed developed from crossings of the Manchega with thin-tailed North African sheep breeds brought to the Mediterranean coast.
The Guirra sheep is considered an officially protected breed according to the Official Catalogue of Spanish Livestock Breeds. It is suitable for producing meat, milk and also wool.
But today, it is raised primarily for meat production. Read some more information about this Spanish sheep breed below.
Guirra Sheep Characteristics
Guirra sheep are small to medium sized animals, with red and white coloration. The lambs have a reddish-brown fleece, but their wool lightens to a red and cream color mixed fleece as they mature.
Ears of these animals are medium in size which project horizontally from the top of the head. Their fleece covers the trunk, neck and part of their legs.
And they don’t grow a dense wool and is considered to be quite greasy. Their skin is usually dark. Photo and info from PetMapz and Wikipedia.
Uses
The Guirra sheep are good for meat, milk and wool production. But today, they are raised as a meat sheep breed for meat production.
Special Notes
The Guirra sheep are very hardy and strong animals. They can adapt to the most unfavorable conditions such as a shortage of feed at ground level.
They have the ability to use their rear legs for reaching food when it is not possible to feed in the fields.
Currently there are several research projects being carried out for evaluating the capacity of this breed to adapt to ecological farming conditions, and also to study it’s meat quality.
Milk of the Guirra sheep is also of good quality. And the milk is also a very good raw material for producing high quality cheeses.
Today, the Guirra sheep is raised mainly for meat production. They are usually slaughtered when they are between 20 and 25 kg live weight at an approximate age of 3 months.
However, review full breed profile of the Guirra sheep in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Guirra |
| Other Name | Also known by some other names such as Sudat and Levant Red |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly meat |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong animals, well adapted to local climate, can adapt themselves to the most unfavorable conditions such as a shortage of feed at ground level, have the ability to use their rear legs for reaching food when it is not possible to feed in the fields, milk is of very good quality, today raised mainly for meat production |
| Breed Size | Small to medium |
| Horns | No |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Color | Red and white |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Spain |
