Dohne Merino
Dohne merino sheep are a South African dual-purpose breed developed from Merino ewes and German Mutton Merino rams under performance selection. They carry Merino-type wool but were bred for a more balanced commercial role, combining fine to medium wool with lamb growth, fertility, and a plainer body.
Dohnes suit self-replacing flocks that want wool income without giving up meat performance. Management often emphasizes objective recording, clean breeches, sound constitution, and ewes that rear lambs efficiently on pasture or rangeland, making the breed different from both a pure fine-wool Merino and a strictly terminal meat sheep. Their value is clearest where flock data connects wool clips, lamb weights, and ewe lifetime performance, rather than judging either wool or carcass alone.
Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Broken, Brown, Gray, Grey, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Roan, Silver, Solid, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points
