|
STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
The purpose of a Standard of Excellence is to indicate the
degree of excellence of the animal by means of a description and a score by
points according to visual appearance and performance. These values must be
recorded in such a way as to give a true reflection of the excellence or
deficiencies of the sheep. For descriptive and comparative purposes sheep may be
compared with each other according to a score card, and the following points are
allotted, corresponding to the respective terms of the main sections of the
standard of excellence.
Very good 5 points Stud Herd Sire
Above average 4 points Stud & terminal sire
Average 3 points terminal sire & commercial
Poor or below average 2 points
Very poor with cull points 1 point
The following comprises the Standard of Excellence.
1. Conformation: represented by the symbol B
- Head:
Strong and long, with large eyes, widely spaced and protectively placed.
Strong nose, strong well-shaped mouth with well-fitted deep jaws. The forehead
must not be dished. The size of the ears must be in relation to the head. A
developed horn base or small horns are the ideal. Heavy horns are undesirable
but permissible. The head must be covered with short, dullish black hair in
the Dorper and dull, white hair in the White Dorper. The head must be dry i.e.
without indications of fat localization.
- Fore-quarter and neck:
The neck should be of medium length, well-fleshed and broad and well-coupled
to the forequarters. Shoulders should be firm, broad and strong. A moderate
protrusion of the brisket beyond the shoulders, moderate width and good depth
are the ideal. Forelegs must be strong, straight and well-placed with strong
pasterns and hoofs not too widely split. Weak pasterns and X legs must be
discriminated against according to degree. Shoulders which appear loose, a
brisket which slants up too sharply with no projection beyond the shoulders,
crooked legs and weak walking ability, are faulty.
- Barrel:
The ideal is a long, deep wide body, ribs well sprung, loin broad and full.
The sheep must have a long straight back and not a "devil's grip". A slight
dip behind the shoulders is permissible.
- Hind-quarter:
A long and wide rump is the ideal. The inner and outer twist to be well
fleshed and deep in adult animals. The hind legs must be strong and
well-placed, with sturdy feet and strong pasterns. Faulty pasterns must be
discriminated against according to degree. The hocks must be strong without a
tendency to turn in or out. Sickle, bandy or perpendicular hocks are culling
faults.
- Udder and sex organs:
A well-developed udder and sex organs are essential in the ewe. The scrotum of
the ram should not be too long and the testicles should be of equal size and
not too small. A split scrotum is undesirable.
- General appearance:
The sheep should be symmetrical and well-proportioned. A calm temperament with
a vigorous appearance is the ideal.
 |
2. Size or growth rate: represented by
the symbol G.
A sheep with a good weight for its age is the ideal.
Discrimination against extremely small or extremely big animals
must be exercised. |
3. Distribution of fat: represented by the symbol D.
Too much localization of fat on any part of the body is undesirable. An
even distribution of a thin
layer of fat over the carcass and between the muscle-fibers is the ideal.
The sheep must be firm
and muscular when handled.
4. Colour pattern: represented by the symbol P
Dorpers: A white sheep with black confined to the head and neck is
the ideal. Black spots, to a
limited extent on the body and legs are permissible, but an entirely white
sheep or a sheep
predominantly black is undesirable. Brown hair around the eyes, white
teats, white under the tail
and white hoofs are undesirable. White Dorpers: A white sheep, fully
pigmented around the
eyes, under the tail, on the udder and the teats is the ideal. A limited
number of other coloured
spots is permissible on the ears and underline.
5. Cover or Fleece: represented by the
symbol H.
The ideal is a short, loose, light covering of hair and wool with
wool
predominating on fore quarter and with a natural clean kemp
underline.
Too much wool or hair is undesirable. Exclusively wool or hair is a
fault.
Manes are a disqualifier. |
 |
6. Type: represented by the symbol T.
Type is judged according to the degree to which the sheep conforms to the
general
requirements of the breed. Emphasis is placed on conformation. Size and
fat distribution when
determining type, while colour and covering are of secondary importance.
(For pointing details, refer to Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society of South
Africa
|
