Slovak sheep
A variety of breeds can be found in Slovak farms. Many of them were imported to Slovakia hundreds of years ago from European countries. We can divide the breeds into five categories: kept for the combined purpose, dairy, meat, fertility and special breeds.
The ones that are crossbreed especially for Slovak climate and needs are Slovak dairy sheep and ZošÄ¾achtená valaška. In the following research, we focus on sheep kept for their wool in Slovakia and the typical Slovak breeds. Particular foreign breeds which can be found in Slovakia and were imported in recent decades were not included in this research. In total there are 36 foreign breeds farmed in Slovakia, either for the production of milk, meat, or wool or as a hobby breed.
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Tsigai (Cigája)​
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Breed typically found in Slovak farms is Tsigai /SK – Cigája/. It is a breed with semi-fine wool and triple purpose (wool, milk, and meat).
It is kept mostly in central and east regions of Slovakia in the 500 – 800 m above sea level (MSL).
It was imported to Slovakia from Balcan Peninsula (Hungary and Romania). It is easily distinguished by its black head and legs.
Although it was originally a mountain breed, it adapted well to lowland conditions. Most of the Tsigais were kept between the rivers Danube and Tisza.
The breed can be found in Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia.
Merinolandschaf
Another breed of sheep Merinolandschaf was imported to Slovakia from Germany. Local fine-wool sheep breeds were cross-breed with the Zaupel breed, known as Wurttemberg sheep.
It is a breed with a large physical appearance and combined purpose. It can be bred in lowlands and foothills.
Merino
The breeding of Merino bred in Slovakia began because of the import of Spain merino sheep at the end of the 18th century. The sheep were smaller with very fine wool. The larger physical appearance and therefore a combined purpose (wool, milk and meat) has been done by cross-breeding with the Rambouillet breed from France.
From 1990, the main criteria for breeding were the amount and quality of wool. This breed is kept in the south and south-east regions in Slovakia below 500 msl and 500 mm of rainwater per year.
In recent years the Merino breed was cross-breed with the breeds Ile de France, Berrichon du Cher and Fleischmerino to increase the production of meat.
Askan Merino
The breed Askan Merino, crossbred from Merino, Rambouillet (USA), and Précore from 1924 – 1935 originates in USSR and was kept mostly for its fine long wool.
The breed can be distinguished for its wool which covers the head and also legs. The interest in breeding this breed is decreasing now in Slovakia, because of the lack of woolen textile production.
ZošÄ¾achtená Valaška
The typical Slovak sheep breed is ZošÄ¾achtená valaška. It was crossbred from original coarse-wool Valaška and a variety of semi-fine wool and semi–coarse wool breeds, such as breeds Texel, Hampshire, Cheviot, Leicester and Lincoln. It brought the breed to have better quality and quantity of wool, but also better performance in a colder and rainy climate. Therefore its kept mostly in higher mountain areas above 800 msl in Slovakia.
Slovak Dairy Sheep
Slovak dairy sheep breed was crossbreed in Slovakia in the long-term program of crossbreeding of ZošÄ¾achtená valaška, Tsigai, and Merino with the use of dairy breeds from above, such as Laucane. Its milk is ideal for dairy products production for its average amount of proteins (5,6%) and fats (7%). The breed is not kept for its wool. The production of milk is above average – almost 1500 ml per sheep in one day, which is higher than in the Lacaune breed.
Clun Forest
The breed Clun Forest from England (region Clun Shropshire) was crossbreed from breeds Radnor, Shropshire, and Kerry Hill and imported to Slovakia in 1925.
It is mainly bred in France nowadays and it could be also kept in bad weather conditions.
The significant signs are its dark brown colored head and legs.
