Calico sheep

Sheep with more than one colour within its coat

Calico sheep is a type of sheep that has more than one colour within its coat.^[1] The colouring is due to a piebald mutation, but the calico sheep is not a recognized breed.

These sheep tend to be very small due to intensive inbreeding and are often mislabeled as a true breed. Rather, they are mere crossbred sheep that have interesting colour patterns.

Calico Sheep

Genetics

The calico mutation is due to an autosomal recessive gene, first reported by Roberts.^[1]

History

Calico sheep are not related to the black and white sheep that are native to ancient Sudan^[2] and to South Africa.^[3]

The modern mutation was developed by breeding Shetland sheep with Barbados Blackbelly Sheep.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Calico cat

References

1. "A Piebald Mutation in Sheep: And a Suggested Interpretation" Journal of Heredity (1950), Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 39-40; retrieved 2012-8-19.
2. Shaw, Thustan. (1995). The Archaeology of Africa: Food, Metals and Towns, p. 69.
3. British Museum. (1908). A guide to the domesticated animals (other than horses) exhibited in the central and north halls of the British Museum (Natural History), p. 21.

Further reading

• Richardson, Tracey. "Sheep earn their keep at winery," Owen Sound Sun Times (Canada). July 17, 2012; retrieved 2012-8-19.