Loaghtan Sheep

Introduction

The name is derived from the colour of the fleece - Lugh (mouse) and Dhoan (brown) being very descriptive (an alternative is from Lhost dhoan (Burnt brown) - Name sometimes given as Loaghtyn or Loghtan. As the outer fleece bleaches in the sunlight when woven the cloth has a slightly speckled appearance. The wool is not usually dyed as chemical bleaching would damage it,.

It is one of the ancient breeds of sheep, native to Mann; believed to have been on the Island for over 1,000 years - there is no evidence of it having been brought over by the Vikings.

Described as a hardy animal with good mothering instincts - brown down to its feet although lambs are born black this colour starts to change from about 2 weeks old. Multihorned - usually four but sometimes six.

References

The Manx Loaghtan Sheep: the breed that refused to die Ed F. Bazin 1984 published by Manx Loaghtan Sheep Breed Society

Wade-Martins, Peter. The Manx Loghtan story : the decline and revival of a primitive breed
Ashford Geerings of Ashford 1990 0-9513042-7-5

Ivor Crowe Live Lawnmowers The Manxman pp21/6 Winter 1977

A L J Gosset Shepherds of Britain London:Constable 1911 gives a brief account of sheep and shepherding on the Isle of Man