Tuj

In northeastern Turkey, the Tuj is a native sheep of the high, cold provinces around Kars, Ardahan, and Iğdır, with links to Tushin sheep of the southern Caucasus. It is a medium-sized, hardy Ovis aries breed kept for meat, milk, and coarse wool rather than for a single specialized product. Many animals are white with darker markings on the face, ears, or legs, and the tail is characteristically fat or semi-fat, an advantage in seasonal grazing country. Rams may be horned, while ewes are often polled or carry smaller horns depending on the flock.

Flocks are usually run in extensive or semi-extensive systems, moving among village pastures, stubble fields, and mountain grazing. The breed is valued because it can walk, use sparse forage, and tolerate harsh winters, but it still needs winter feed, shelter from wet wind, and basic lambing supervision in late snow country. Wool is more useful for carpets, mattresses, or local textiles than for fine garments. Buyers outside the region should confirm ancestry and tail type, since the name can be confused with related Caucasian landraces.

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