The Historical Harlequin
The Harlequin sheep as we know it today was developed by Kathleen Sterling, owner of Black Sheep Farm East in VA about 35 years ago. A variety of breeds were used to develop the Harlequin breed including Karakul, Tunis,
Corriedale, Lincoln, Border Leicester, Romney, Montadale, and Southdown rams.
When Ms. Sterling’s goal of consistently producing a sheep the size and basic conformation of the Southdown breeds with fleece of varied color,
staple length and texture was realized some 15 years ago the flock became a closed breed meaning she had achieved what she wanted the breed to look like, along with other characteristics. Harlequins used to come in a standard size even though technically that still fits the definition of miniature sheep (26" at shoulder).
In 2018, the registry was handed over to Jill Christopher. At that time, it was decided to continue the breeding focus on shorter sheep overall, yet the standard has not changed.. Since 2018 approximately 15 sheep were admitted under our Open Registry evaluation, yet many of the lambs given HSSR registration were from registered Babdyoll Southdowns.
photo courtesy of Black Sparrow Ranch
2023: A Turning Point
To counter misconceptions and defamation by Babydoll Southdown breeders on Social Media, a change needed to be made to allow for an influx of new genetics to get us to an American Purebred status in 500 registered Harlequin sheep - the number frequently quoted as the minimum needed for enough diversity to sustain the breed standards. As part of that change, the Open Registry process was closed at the end of December 2022. Read on about our exciting future.
The Future of Harlequins
While the Harlequin has standardized itself as a handsome breed of its own, breeders continue to improve on the size and “look” in achievement of Ms. Sterling’s vision.
To that end, and to continue to breed
the size downward, the registry is allowing lambs that are the result of a registered Harlequin cross bred to a registered Babydoll Southdown.
This allows us to introduce the new bloodlines needed to reach that target of 500 American Purebred (AP) Harlequin sheep.
Once we’ve reached that number, the breed will be closed to all outcrossing.
Why Babydoll Southdowns?
The reason is simple. Southdown rams were chosen to be a part of the breed mix that has become known as Harlequins.
Although the rams used were the larger, American Southdown, we felt using the original petite version that was originally from the UK was a more true example of what Ms. Sterling envisioned. As some of the original, smaller Southdowns were re-discovered by Robert Mock in 1986 and subsequently renamed "Babydoll Southdown" to distinguish them as closer to the original Southdown, and because Southdowns are naturally polled also, this was the right choice.
