Developed in the Teesdale area of Northern England, the Teeswater is a longwooled breed used in the UK as a crossing sire on hill breeds to produce replacement females for lowland flocks. These crossbred females are known as Mashams and are bred from a number of hill breeds, including Swaledales, Dalesbred and Lonks.
The breed today is characterised by its brown nose and clean open lustre fleece. The fleece carries no black fibres across the body and is a fine, long-stapled wool.
The popularity of the breed in the UK peaked in the mid 20th century when its crossbred offspring were much in demand from lowland flockmasters as a breeding ewes.
Today the breed is a favourite of small flock owners and those with a keen interest in its wool for spinning and weaving.
A prolific breed, Teeswaters often achieve a 200% lambing in any setting.
Mashams clarification:
UK Teeswater Sheep Breeders' Association website states: "The Teeswater is still the number one sire used on many horned ewes, for example, Dalesbred, Swaledales, Rough Fells, Scottish Blackface, Exmoor Horn, Beulah and Exmoor Horn. These crosses, commonly known as Mashams, carry the best characteristics of the Teeswater producing a ewe with a long, well shaped carcase, high prolificacy, with great milking and mothering abilities."
UK Masham Sheep Breeders Association website states: "Mashams have been bred for over a century on the hills of Northern England. They are the progeny of a Teeswater ram out of a Dalebred ewe both of which are well known for their hardiness and thriftiness."
Pictures provided by Deb Nelson Gourley
For more information visit:
UK - Teeswater Sheep Breeders' Association
http://www.teeswatersheep.co.
http://americanteeswatersheep.
http://www.teeswatersheep.org/
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