Sporting fluffy white wool and black furry faces, it’s not hard to see why the cutest sheep breed in the world award goes to the Valais Blacknose.
Native to the mountainous state of Valais in Switzerland, these fluffy creatures have developed their thick fluffy coat to help them brave the harsh Swiss winters.
These sheep originated in the 15th century from the Valais Canton region of Switzerland, yet were not recognized as a breed till 1962.
But it isn’t just their fluffy fur and mysterious black furry faces that have earned them their reputation, they are also very friendly and sociable with humans, unlike most other sheep breeds.
Valais Blacknose sheep were originally raised for the wool, and quickly became a favorite; not only because of the amount of wool provided but also their mysterious looks and good temperament.
In fact, it’s quite common for Blacknose sheep to be treated like one of the family among farmers in Switzerland, just like a beloved pet dog.
But this isn’t exclusive to the Swiss Alps, people all over the world have adopted these sheep as pets.
They have become fashionable sheep and are in high demand globally. As mentioned, they make great pets due to their calm nature and friendly character.
It is their appearance though, that truly sets them apart.
Their face, ears, knees, and feet are all black, all surrounded by thick curly wool. And as if that wasn’t enough, they also have spiral horns.
For the most part of the 20th century, the Valais Blacknose sheep’s population was declining, it wasn’t until around 40 years ago that their population began resurging, especially in Switzerland.
Their population worldwide is estimated to be around 19,000, meaning they are formally recognized as a rare breed of sheep.
Helped by shows and contests set up by a community of farmers and fans of the adorable fluffballs, you can now find them all over the world.
Currently, in the US, they are a highly sought-after breed of sheep, especially as there is no pure-bred of the species found across the country.
One popular event which takes place in Switzerland is the annual Shepherd festival, this attracts a large international audience for its fun cultural activities and for its ‘world’s cutest sheep breed’ award.
The Valais Blacknose sheep are one of the more popular icons of the Valais Canton region in Switzerland. We can see why these sheep are so popular.
