Breed Information

We raise two breeds of sheep at Black Sparrow Ranch:

American Harlequin and Babydoll Southdown.

Although similar breeds, they do have some differences.

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Miniature Sheep

There are many benefits to these pint-sized fluff bottoms:

Easier to handle
Safer Around Children
Excellent for Smaller Acreage
Fencing can be Shorter
Smaller Shelters
Less Grain / Hay Required

American Harlequin

Fewer than 2000 in Existence
Flashy Black and White Spots
Some Have Blue Eyes
Can be Solid-Colored
Known as "The Fun Sheep"

Check out the Harlequin Sheep Society and Registry for historical information.

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Babydoll Southdown

Commonly Black or Off-White
Can be Spotted (Very Rare)
Fuzzy, Teddy-Bear Faces
Popular in 4-H and at County Fairs
Known as "The Smiling Sheep"
Steadily Gaining Popularity
Several Registries to Choose From

Babydoll Sheep

Babydoll Southdown sheep are an adorable miniature sheep which are typically priced between $600-$1000 when registered. The most common colors are black (which can fade to a chocolate brown color or dark gray as the wool grows) and off-white. The original Babydoll Southdown sheep that Robert Mock gathered in the US also included spotted babydoll sheep which are very rare. We do have spotted genetics in our flock of Babydolls and offer a select few spotted lambs to the public each year. Spotted babydoll lambs typically bring a higher price of $1000-$2500 and are highly sought after.

Babydoll sheep often have sweet, docile natures and they are excellent mothers that usually lamb without difficulty. Since miniature breeds like Babydoll and Harlequin tend to be more expensive, they are usually not used for meat. They provide wool which has many craft and homestead uses (wool pellets, pillow stuffing, insulation, clothing/yarn, erosion control, rugs, coasters, dryer balls, felt art, weavings, etc.)

With their individual personalities and "smiling" faces, they bring immense joy to their owners, and it is not unusual for them to be thought of as more pet than livestock.

Harlequin Sheep

American Harlequins are an amazing sheep breed and incredibly rare with fewer than 2000 registered as of 2024. Typically, lambs are priced from $700-$1500 which is usually determined by the following factors:

Sex - Ram, Ewe, or Wether (Castrated Ram)
Conformation
Fleece Color / Spots
Eye Color
Generation / Pedigree

Generations are used in the Harlequin breed to determine what percentage of sheep's lineage comes from original Harlequin stock. Foundation status is where the breed begins, whereas Purebred Harlequins are the highest generation available in the registration process.

Foundation Status - Often used to introduce new bloodlines into the breed. For example, F1 is one parent being a registered Harlequin and the other parent being from another approved breed like Babydoll Southdown.

F1-BD, F2, FP

True Harlequins - Sheep that have established Harlequin lineage. C is the highest generation of True Harlequins.

A, B, C

Purebred Harlequins - These are the rarest of miniature Harlequin sheep. This generation can only be achieved when both parents are C generation or Purebred Harlequins.

AP - Purebred Harlequin

What's the Difference?

Although there are always exceptions, Babydolls (shown on the right) typically have broader faces, wider foreheads, stubbier muzzles, and smaller ears. Harlequins (on the left) have longer, slender muzzles and much less wool on their faces, ears, and sometimes legs. We find Babydoll wool to be shorter and denser than that of Harlequins.

Both are under 24" tall and polled (without horns). Both breeds can either be solid or spotted although most Harlequins are spotted and most Babydolls are solid. Only Harlequins have blue eyes, although it is rare.

Help me decide!

There are always exceptions, however...

If size is your priority, in general, Harlequins are slightly larger than Babydolls by 1 or 2 inches. However, Babydolls can weigh more.

If a flashy appearance is what you're looking for, usually this leans towards the Harlequins or sometimes spotted Babydolls.

If it's a pasture teddy you're dreaming of, some Babydolls look more bear than sheep.

If health maintenance is a concern, Babydolls require a little more attention with fuzzy faces and rears that need trimmed more often.

We also find that Babydolls need their hooves trimmed more frequently than Harlequins.

In our flock, our Babydolls show more parasite resistance than Harlequins.

Babydolls are much more common which makes them easier to purchase and easier to sell.

Harlequins being incredibly rare will typically fetch a higher price, sometimes even double that of a Babydoll.

If quiet is a concern, our Babydolls are much more vocal than our Harlequins.

Harlequins are more athletic than Babydolls, which is good for maintaining a healthy weight, but not great for people with orchards.

Until 2030, the offspring of a Harlequin and Babydoll can be open registered with the Harlequin Sheep Society.

You can not go wrong with either breed!

Ready to Purchase?

For lambs, you have the option of putting down a deposit to reserve your lamb. We occasionally will have weaned lambs and adults available on a first come, first serve basis. Click here for our available sheep.