About Navajo-Churro Sheep

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Did you know that Navajo-Churro sheep are descended from America's first domesticated sheep? Brought to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Southwest during Spanish occupation, the Navajo and Pueblo Natives were enslaved (and seldom hired) to tend to livestock and weave textiles for the colonies. Today, there is collective effort to preserve the "old type" Navajo-Churro sheep after early US government stock reductions and efforts to "improve" them by cross-breeding with other sheep nearly depleted the original Navajo-Churro breed entirely. They remain essential to the Diné people, their livelihoods, and shepherding traditions. The Navajo-Churro Sheep Association and registry was formed in 1986.

From the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association website (http://www.navajo-churrosheep.com) :

“The Navajo-Churro breed is considered a rare breed. The gene pool is presently large enough to maintain the breed type with the diversity of available unrelated lines. Fortunately for breeders, a well established network of registered stock is available, scattered throughout the US and Canada.

These sheep with their long staple of protective top coat and soft undercoat are well suited to extremes of climate. Some rams have four fully developed horns, a trait shared by few other breeds of the world. The Navajo-Churro is highly resistant to disease, and although it responds to individual attention, it needs no pampering to survive and prosper. The ewes lamb easily and are fiercely protective. Twins and triplets are not uncommon. The flavor of the meat is incomparably superior, with a surprisingly low fat content.”