Valais Blacknose x Teeswater x Shetland sheep fleece with Merino/Mohair backing. Hand felted and cruely-free. This fleece is from our sweet Wolfgang!

30 inches by 18 inches

Medium staple length (approx 5 inches)

We were very lucky to recently 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.