ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP

About St. Croix Hair Sheep

The rare St. Croix Hair Sheep came originally from the Virgin Islands where they are called "Virgin Island White." Some think this breed grew out of the West African hair sheep; others think it resulted from cross-breeding of the Wiltshire Horn and the Criollo which is native to the island.

The St. Croix has exceptional parasite resistance compared to British sheep breeds and is classified as a "rare" sheep breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

From The St. Croix Breeder's Handbook:
"The St. Croix is an attractive white sheep of moderate size and has a hair coat of consistent texture. They are gentle and easy to handle and both sexes are hornless. They are a true hair sheep and shed their winter coat of hair and fine downy fiber each spring and never need shearing. Mature rams sport a lion-like mane which may fall to the knees."

Ringtail USA's St. Croix Sheep

We bought our first St. Croix sheep in 1994 from a family that had moved to Oklahoma from California. We thought they were interesting and unique.

Since then, we have added bloodlines from the USDA Research Center (Booneville, Arkansas), a direct import line from Charles Bedinger, as well as new blood lines from Oregon and other states.

We prefer the white St. Croix Hair Sheep but many like the white mixed with some color such as tan, brown, or black. Both male and female are polled, with rams exhibiting a beautiful, large throat ruff.

Both Bob and Vanessa have been very active in the St. Croix Hair Sheep International Association. Bob Harris is a recent past president of the association and Vanessa served as a member of its board of directors until two years ago. You will find us in their Breeders List along with other fine St. Croix breeders in the United States.

To visit the St. Croix Hair Sheep International Association website, click on the embroidered logo on your left or on the text above.

To find out more about Ringtail USA's St. Croix sheep, call us today and talk with Vanessa or Bob.

Toll-free Order Hotline: (888) 439-6560 || Direct: (580) 439-6560
E-mail: ringtail@pldi.net