The Loghtan sheep is a native Manx breed. It almost died out in the 1950's,
but now there are many thriving flocks across the British Isles. Loghtan
is an unusual breed given that both sexes have the tendency to produce
two or three pairs of horns. The ewe (female) horns are small, but the
ram (male) horns are strong and long. A sturdy
and rugged breed, which has a long ancestry on the Island of Man. The name
"Loghtan" is believed to come from the Manx words lugh (meaning mouse) and
dhoan (meaning brown). This name could be referring to the light brown
fleece, which most of the sheep grow. Once the sheep would have been seen
along the mountains and hills in white, grey and black, but now only the
brown ones remain. Lambs are born black but change from 2 weeks old to
brown. Loghtans have no wool on their legs or face and are similar to
the northern short tail breeds.
Loghtan wool is normally left undyed and used to weave lightweight garments.
Manx tartans are also made from this wool.
Loghtan mature at 15 to 18 months and are normally fed on natural mountain
herbage. Their meat is a dark and low in both fat and cholesterol. It cooks
at 165C for 30 minutes per pound.
Statistics
Produces hairy (average 2.5kg) and woolly (average 1.5kg) fleece.
Ewes (average) weigh in at about 38.5kg (85lbs).
Survey in 1997 showed 1540 breeding females.
Publications
The Manx Loghtan Story: The Decline and Revival of a Primitive Breed
Peter Wade-Martins
Geerings of Ashford Ltd, Paperback, April, 1990
ISBN: 0951304275
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