Breed Origin
The Corriedale’s development began in New Zealand around 1874 by crossing pure Merino and Lincoln Sheep. Two Australian breeders started developing the breed, Mr. Corbett of Victoria in 1882, and Mr. MacKinnon in Tasmania in 1888.
Stock from New Zealand were imported into Australia in 1911, and in the same year they were officially recognised as a new breed.
The Corriedale is a dual purpose, white wooled, medium sized sheep, producing quality meat and good commercial grade wool. The are now ranked second to the Merino worldwide in popularity due to them being able to adapt to their environment. They can now be found in countries all over the world and living in conditions ranging from the intense heat of the equator to snowy mountain ranges.
For over 150 years only white Corriedales have been recognised as pure stock, but some breeders have been working hard to breed true to type stock but also adding colour.
Until now only white Corriedales have been accepted for registration, and after consideration the AABMGS decided to open the registry to Coloured Corriedales in 2025.
Characteristics
Corriedales are a docile, easy to care for breed. They are excellent mothers with strong maternal instincts and have proven to be very fertile. They have the ability to raise productive, healthy lambs, and lambing survival rates are very high.
They can adapt to a wide range of climatic conditions including high rainfall areas, hot dry conditions and high altitudes.
Breed Standard
Body – Evenly balanced and well-wooled.
Wool – Good quality, soft, long and dense, with a pronounced crimp.
Head – Polled (hornless), broad, well wooled but free of wool blindness.
Jaw – Broad, well-formed teeth that meet the upper front pad. Dark nostrils preferred.
Ears – Thick and soft.
Neck – Broad and strong, medium length, long enough to hold head high and provide good balance.
Brisket – Carried well forward, wide and strong.
Back – Level, long, and broad well-muscled loin.
Ribs – Deep and well sprung.
Hindquarters – Well muscled, broad and deep.
Legs – Strong, heavy boned, moderate length in proportion to size, and squarely set.
Hooves – Well shaped and preferably dark.
Rams – Should have a distinctive, bold and masculine appearance.
Scrotum – Covered in wool.
Colour – Any colour or colour combination.
Faults
- Horns or scurs.
- Pink or white nose and/or lips.
- Severe over or under bite.
- Solid white hooves.
- One or both testicles not descended.
- Split testicles.
- Udder with more than two functioning teats.
