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The Dorper breed was developed out of necessity. During the early 1930's, South African farmers exported a surplus of mutton and lamb, from the fat tailed indigenous breeds, to London's prestigious Smithfield Market. The carcasses were rejected because the European consumers were accustomed to the high quality New Zealand Canterbury lamb.

The South African Meat Board took on the challenge of producing a meat sheep breed that would produce a higher quality carcass and yet, thrive under arid to semi-arid conditions. A breeding project was finalized in 1946 and the Dorper earned a prominent place in the history of South African agriculture. In 1950, the South African Dorper Breeders' Association was formed.

According to Dr. Q. Campbell in his book "Making Money with Mutton Sheep", "One of the most successful crosses of exotic rams bred to adapted ewes proved to be the Dorset Horn X the Blackhead Persian".

The Blackhead Persian sheep, a hardy, fat-tailed desert breed from Arabia, brings to the Dorper its hardiness, thriftiness, adaptability, pigmentation and hair covering. It also brings remarkable fertility, with the ability to breed every eight months and to produce a high number of twins. In addition, the Persians have very valuable skins used in the production of fine leather products. The Dorset Horn rams crossed with Blackhead Persian ewes produced fast growing and heavily muscled lambs yielding very satisfactory economic returns under a variety of environmental conditions. The Dorper ewes from this cross were excellent mothers that could be bred in any season.

In the early 1950's, a controversy arose concerning black markings vs. a pure white sheep. Some breeders preferred a white sheep, called the Dorsian, while others chose to select for confirmation rather than color and use the black markings as their trademark. In 1964, the controversy was settled when the blackhead and white Dorper breeders united into one association calling the black head sheep Dorpers and with the unmarked being called White Dorpers.

The modern day Dorper is numerically the second largest breed in South Africa with over 10 million head (over 1/3 of the total number of sheep). In recent years, the Dorper has become popular in the Middle East, China, Canada, Australia, South America, Mexico and the United States, where it is among the fastest growing breeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Dorpers and White Dorpers?

The Dorper has a white body with a black head, while the White Dorper is all white. Otherwise the two types are identical but considered separate breeds. The coloration is a preference as all other traits are basically equal. Often a White Dorper ram is used in cross-breeding programs with solid white ewes. The resulting offspring tend to be solid white. Out crosses using Dorpers may be colorfully spotted for the first few generations.

Are all Dorpers polled?

Most Dorpers are without horns but many rams have scurs, and some will have horns, but this should not disqualify a Dorper ram from being stud quality. Experience has shown that horned rams tend to be more masculine and have a stronger libido.

How much does a Dorper weigh?

Mature rams typically average around 230 pounds. Mature ewes range between 180-210 lbs. However, one should not be obsessed with mature weights. Feed efficiency is more important than mature weight. The Dorper breeds excel at producing fast growing lambs.

What is the productive life of a Dorper?

Under good management, a Dorper ewe should produce lambs for 7 years or more.

Do they have a lot of twins and triplets?

This depends on available nutrition and genetics. Under good range conditions, a 150 percent lamb crop is typical and rates more like 180 percent with improved nutrition can be achieved.

Can you breed Dorper ewes any time of year?

Yes. Again, available nutrition has a major role in conception rates. Lambing intervals of 8 months, three lamb crops every two years, is a common practice.

At what age can you start breeding ewe lambs?

Depending on the time of year, ewe lambs between 6-8 months may cycle, but better conception rates will be achieved at 9-12 months and the later bred ewes will grow out better.

How many ewes can a Dorper ram cover?

Ram lambs can frequently cover 20-25 ewes in a 51-day exposure. Yearling rams can usually cover 50 ewes.

Do Dorpers have to be sheared?

No. A Dorper should shed its covering each summer. Shedding ability is a trait that should be selected for in your breeding stock. Because Dorpers are a meat breed, they are shown fully shorn to emphasize their meat traits and excellent skin.

Are Dorpers parasite resistant?

Studies have shown that Dorpers tend to tolerate a parasite burden better than other breeds. Many other factors influence parasite problems but with proper management techniques, deworming can be minimized even in higher rainfall areas.

How is the taste of Dorper meat?

Superb! Dorper lamb does not have the “mutton taste” that causes so many Americans to avoid eating lamb. It is succulent and fine textured. The purpose of the Dorper breed is to produce prime lamb.

What about crossing a Dorper ram with wool-type ewes?

Early university trials have shown that the Dorper influence will improve the meat qualities and growth rate of lambs from popular commercial ewe breeds. However, the F1 lambs will have a diminished wool conformation.

What about crossing Dorper Rams with hair-type ewes?

The Dorper has been very effective in increasing the growth rate, carcass size and quality of all the typical hair-type breeds such a the Barbados, Katahdin, St. Croix, the Mexican Pelibuey and other breeds that are considered exotic types. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation.

What is the Difference between Purebred and Fullblood?

The term "fullblood" means the sheep can trace it's genetic background only to sheep originally imported from South Africa. "Purebred" means the sheep has been upgraded from American stock and is at least 93% or 15/16ths Dorper genetics. Upgrading was allowed in order to increase the numbers of Dorper sheep after South Africa experienced an outbreak of hoof and mouth disease and importation was no longer possible. The sheep are shown together in the show ring with no preference for either designation.

Can percentage Dorpers be registered?

Yes. The Dorper registry regulations allow for a "breeding-up" program. Ewes and rams are considered purebred at 15/16ths (93%) Dorper.