nz breed standard

  • The New Zealand Valais Breed Standard is taken from the Valais Blacknose Sheep Society UK and translated from the Swiss standards. Origin and History The black-nosed sheep is a frugal landrace that is very well adapted to the harsh mountain conditions. This unique breed originates from the Upper Valais, the German speaking part of the canton of Valais. There are indications that this breed has existed since the 15th century. Breed Characteristics The characteristics of the Blacknose sheep fall in to three areas: General Appearance, Confirmation and Wool. The name of the Blacknose sheep is derived from its black nose. The black nose extends to the middle of the face and continues without interruption to the eyes. The ears are black to the point where they meet the head. There are black spots on the hocks and on the front knees and the hoof/ankle area is black creating the impression of black boots. The females have a black tail spot. Horns are helical or spiral and grow outward from the head in both ewes and rams. The whole body, including the head and the legs, should be evenly woolly. The Valais Blacknose has a well balanced, robust, large, solid frame. Appearance Colour Features: - Black nose to the centre of the head - Black encompassing the eye area connecting with the black of the nose, no gap is permitted - Black ears – black should meet the white of the head - Black hooves and ankle area (‘black socks’) - Black spots on knees and hocks (spots can be non-symmetrical) - Females are to have a black tail spot. There must be a finger-width gap of white on the tail. - For females missing a marking feature, ie. knee spot, a point deduction might be made depending on overall conformation and wool - Males must not have a tail spot - Male scrotum may be black, this is fine, but the black must not spread upward into the belly area and fleece . Spitti:
  • On occasion a purebred Valais Blacknose may produce offspring marked in reverse colour/markings which are referred to as ‘Spitti’ (a name adopted in the UK from Swiss Blacknose breeders). However, in Switzerland the ‘Spitti’ may be referred to by different names in the varying villages and areas of Valais. Spitti rams should be castrated and not used for breeding purposes. Head & Neck: - Well proportioned, compact head - Roman nose, wide mouth, broad forehead - Pronounced, regal head shape in rams. Mature rams often develop protuberance behind horn base - Short, straight well-muscled neck. Horns: - Spiral outward from head, horizontally away from cheeks (You should always be able to fit a flat hand comfortably between the horn and cheek) - Black stripes in the horns are acceptable. Chest, Shoulder & Withers: - Wide, deep, chest area - Shoulders line naturally with neck and chest - Well-spaced, wide withers - Rib cage curvature is well proportioned and rounded. Back & Loin:
  • - Long, straight top line
  • - Wide back and loin .

  • Pelvis, Abdomen & Hindquarters:
  • - Medium sized belly with small belly hollows/pits (paralumbar fossa)
  • - Wide and medium-length pelvis
  • - Well-muscled hindquarters.
  • Withers (from two years):
  • - Female: 72 – 78 cm
  • - Male: 75 – 83 cm.

  • Weight (over two years):
  • - Female: 70 – 90 kg
  • - Male: 80 – 125 kg. Conformation
  • Limbs:
  • - Strong, sure footed
  • - Solid hoof deportment
  • - Legs are not bandy/bow legged
  • - Legs are not knock-kneed.
  • Foundations:
  • - Slight hock angulation
  • - Short, strong pasterns (45-degree angle)
  • - Solid bone structure
  • - Joints should be straight and sound.
  • Gait:
  • - Spacious, sure footed and wide legged
  • - Doesn’t sway or waver
  • - Even and stable movement
  • - Mobile with ease. Wool

  • - Fleece in lambs is soft to touch but becomes coarser as the sheep matures (The Swiss grade approximately equates to 28-38 microns depending on age and gender. Fiber diameter generally finest in lambs and coarsest in adult males)
  • - Staple length is 10cm based on 6 months growth (Recommended to be shorn twice a year. Fleece weight when shorn approx. – Lambs 1-1.5 kg / Ewes 2.5 -3kg / Rams 2.5 – 3kg – Based on 6 months growth)
  • - Fleece is uniformly white and balanced over the whole body
  • - Wool on legs is thick and full
  • - Wool on head is natural and long
  • - Some black hairs /fibers are tolerated on the neck area (Females only. In males up to 18 months of age this should be factored when castrating). Castration Criteria & Reason for Excluding Rams During Grading

  • Anatomy:
  • - Short lower jaw or uneven jaw length
  • - Incisor teeth not in contact or correct position with dental pad i.e. overbite or underbite up to 18 months of age
  • - Weak and/or fallen pasterns
  • - Stunted growth
  • - Only one testicle present
  • - Scrotal hernia.
  • Markings:
  • - Black body spots on the main body area
  • - Black tail spots
  • - Markings missing from knees, hocks or head.

  • Wool: Major flaw in the fleece/wool ie.
  • - Kemp and/or tender fibers (Kemp fibers are short, medullated (hollow) fibers with pointed tips that may be found within fleece. Kemp is undesirable in fleece because it does not take up dye and is coarse, brittle, weak and ‘prickly. Tender or ‘hunger-fine’ fibers are thinned and break easily, and may occur due to malnutrition, disease and/or scarring).
  • - Excessive number of guard hairs (i.e. long, coarse, stiff, outer-coat hairs which may be present. They cause the same difficulties to the processing as kemp fibers and are easy to recognize in the fleece because they are typically much longer than the actual wool fibers.)
  • - Mixed-coloured wool up to an age of 18 months in rams.

  • New Zealand Valais Blacknose Sheep Society (NZVBSS) – additional criteria
  • - All Valais Blacknose ewes and rams must be registered with NZSBA within 1 year of their birth. Failure to register within the required time may result in a fine of $30.00 per animal.
  • - All purebred Valais Blacknose rams born from 1 January 2021 onwards and purebred ewes from 1 January 2024 must be DNA profiled and results must be supplied with the annual flock return to the New Zealand Sheep Breeders Association (NZSBA).
  • - Any NZVBSS member selling purebred Valais ewes and rams must provide the purchaser with transfer documentation and pedigree details as part of the sale, or within two months of the sale. The member selling must also provide the transfer documentation to NZSBA within two months of the sale.
  • - Any NZVBSS member providing ram mating services must complete the NZSBA lease/certificate of service form following service and provide it at the time of service or within six weeks following service.