Did you know that Jacobs and Black Welsh Mountain sheep are unique in the fact they are dominantly black genetically?  I knew Jacobs were, but I didn’t know there were only two breeds of sheep like this.  All other breeds must either be colored or have a recessive colored gene to throw colored offspring. 

This is what a typical Jacob cross looks like.  Mostly black with splashes of white, usually on the head.

My sister bought a few sheep from us a couple years ago – a Jacob ram and a some crossbred ewes.  Imagine my surprise when she sent me this picture…

The dad was a purebred Jacob and the mom was a Jacob x Bluefaced Leicester.  Not only is he Jacob looking, but he is also lilac colored.  We expected her lamb to look like her – black with a bit of white.

Everytime I think I understand this breed, even just a little bit – something like this happens.