Ruda

Ruda is a Balkan sheep breed found especially in Albania and in parts of Croatia, including the Dubrovnik coast, nearby islands, and smaller hinterland areas. It is often described as related to the Tsigai or other uniform-wool sheep of southeastern Europe. Ruda sheep are generally modest in size, hardy, and historically valued for wool, with local adaptation to rocky grazing and regional pastoral systems.

The breed is important partly because some populations have become endangered. Conservation flocks should protect regional identity, avoid careless crossbreeding, and keep records on color, wool, horns, fertility, and source area. Ruda sheep are not high-input dairy animals or modern terminal meat sires; their value lies in local resilience, genetic diversity, and a wool tradition adapted to Balkan conditions. Farmers keeping them need practical parasite control, good winter feed where needed, and selection for ewes that raise lambs reliably without losing the breed's working character.

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