Valais Blacknose
The Valais Blacknose is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the Valais region of Switzerland. It is a dual-purpose breed, raised both for meat and for wool.
History
The breed originates in the mountains of the canton of Valais – from which its name derives – and of the Bernese Oberland. It is documented as far back as the fifteenth century, but the present German name was not used before 1884; the breed standard dates from 1962. In the past there was some cross-breeding with imported sheep: in the nineteenth century with Bergamasca and Cotswold stock, and in the twentieth century with the Southdown.The Valais Blacknose is also present in Austria, Germany and Holland. The total population reported in Switzerland for 2023 was, with ewes registered in the herd-book; the conservation status of the breed is listed as 'not at risk'.