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.