Valais Blacknose x Teeswater x Shetland sheep fleece with Merino backing. This fleece is primarily from our sweet Waldo, with a tiny patch of reddish cream from another Shetland sheep. Waldo’s fleece has the classic Teeswater curls and luster making it feel extra luxurious.

Size: 35 x 30 inches (measured by fleece side - not backing material).

Medium-Long staple length.

We were lucky to acquire a few of these rare, and incredibly sweet sheep here at Echo Orchard. They arrived in September from Wing & A Prayer Farm in VT. Valais Blacknose sheep not only produce amazing fiber, but are quite friendly (and extremely cute). These sheep were introduced to the United States just a few years ago! More can be read on the breed below.

For centuries, the Valais Blacknose sheep were found only in Switzerland on the remote snow-covered peaks of Valais. Although the sheep are believed to have existed since the 15th century, it became a breed recognized by the Swiss Sheep Breeding Association in the mid 1960’s as the Walliser Schwarznasen or Valais Blacknose because of its unique markings.

The Blacknose Sheep Association of North America was formed in 2017 to support the introduction of the breed to the United States and record the offspring of the breed up programs already in progress.

Waldo is also part Teeswater. Teeswaters have been flagged by the Livestock Conservancy as “Critical” meaning there are not many left - and if we don’t create a demand for their wool, they could go extinct. More can be read on the breed via the Livestock Conservancy below.

The Teeswater sheep breed was developed in the Teeswater region of England.  In the 1920s the breed was faced with near extinction. Grazed in the dales of the countryside, this large sheep breed was also used as sires in crosses with smaller hill sheep to produce Mashams for market production. This white (with distinctive facial markings), polled breed is hardy, and useful for both meat and wool production. The lustrous, low-lanolin, kemp-free fleece of the Teeswater is appreciated by hand spinners for its staple length and fine, long curly locks. Fiber growth is up to one inch per month with little to no cross fibering. Teeswater sheep were imported to the United States in the 1800’s but lost popularity due to importation of other long wooled breeds.