Valais at Squibb Ranch, LLC

Valais Blacknose Sheep History

Valais Blacknose Sheep originate in the mountains of the Valais Wallis (German) area of Switzerland, the upper part where Valais German (a Swiss German dialect) is spoken. This is where the breed originates. The canton of Valais is one of 26 cantons of Switzerland situated in the southwestern part of the country in the valley of the Rhone from its headwaters to Lake Geneva separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is simultaneously one of the driest regions of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley and among the wettest, having large amounts of snow and rain upon the highest peaks found in Switzerland, boasting 50 peaks higher than 4000m. The canton of Valais is widely known for the Matterhorn and resort towns such as Crans-Montana, Saas Fee, and Zermatt. It is the third largest canton of Switzerland. It is composed of 13 districts (hence the 13 stars on the flag) and its capital is Sion.




 









The VBN sheep breed, which stands for the British and New Zealand breeds, is actually called the Walliser Schwarznasenschaf. This breed of sheep has a long history in the Valais region, dating back to 5000 BC. With its characteristic black nose and curly horns, it is a unique breed.

According to the book "Das Walliser Schwarznasenschaf", the Blacknose sheep probably originated from a cross between black sheep and the "Coppersheep" mentioned in historical documents from 15th century Switzerland. The breed was first mentioned in the 19th century, specifically the black-nosed sheep from the valley of Visp in Valais.

The Valais region was very poor, and the sheep were an important source of food, clothing, and money for the farmers, most of whom were on the steep slopes of Valais. So the SN were valued and loved by the Valais people – and still are.

Twice in history, the breed almost died out. Firstly, there were epidemic spreads of tuberculosis in 1930 and 1940, which affected the people and sheep alike in Valais. Then a breeding program from the Swiss authorities in the 1960s tried to convince the Valais breeders to cross the SN with more meat-yielding breeds. The tradition-conscious breeders refused, and the experiments were given up. 

In 1948, the first Upper Valais Sheep Breeders Association was founded. However, it was only in 1962 that the breed became a registered breed and was included in the Swiss Sheep Breeders Association in 1964.

TThe Swiss Blacknose sheep are a resilient mountain breed that's known for thriving on the steep and rocky slopes of the Alps. They have a reputation for easy lambing and producing fast-growing lambs all year round. The sheep are a dual-purpose breed, providing both meat and coarse carpet-grade wool. The wool fibers have an average micron of 38 in mature sheep, while in lambs, it's approximately 28-30. This type of wool is ideal for felting and was traditionally favored for spinning by Valais farming women. The long staple of the fleece, which grows around 30cm annually, adds to its appeal. The fleece's white and fluffy look makes it particularly popular for its "cuddly toy" appeal.

According to Paul Julen, an Upper Valais Blacknose sheep farmer from Zermatt, he brings his flock down from the mountains in October to prepare for winter. After spending six months on the surrounding Alps, some of the sheep make their way back from the pasture to the farm by themselves. "Blacknose sheep have a better memory for places and a sense of time than people," he says. He enjoys creating specialties in his family restaurant, with 15 different variations of meat. This breed's meat has a fat content that's 50% lower than other breeds and is known for being tasty even to those who are not partial to lamb, likely due to the different variety of mountain herbs they feed on.

The animals' unique appearance includes black parts on their nose, eyes, ears, front knees, ankles, hocks, and feet, against a white coat. The females also have black spots on their tail. Both males and females have twisted, spiral-shaped horns. Their size adds to their striking appearance. Rams can weigh between 80-130 kg and measure 75-83 cm in height, while ewes weigh between 70-90 kg and are 72-78 cm tall. They are also known for their charming nature.

When people, especially other farmers, ask us about the Valais sheep, we often hear the question, "But what are they good for?" Our response is that they are amazing-looking animals. However, people still wonder about their purpose. We explain that in their native land, they are raised for their meat and wool. But beyond that, the Valais sheep has gained popularity worldwide for being "the world's cutest breed." In fact, some people mistake them for well-crafted felt projects, as they don't even look real.

In addition to their appearance, Valais sheep are known for their charming personalities. Unlike most mountain breeds, which have a strong "fight or flight" response, Valais sheep are very friendly. Hikers in the mountains often have engaging encounters with them, and find it difficult to take their photo because the sheep want to be close to whoever is around. Once you meet a Valais sheep, they say, you have a friend for life!

Exports of Valais sheep from their native land are carefully controlled. Farmers are very protective of their animals, treating them with love and respect. Every February, the sheep participate in their own "beauty contest" in Visp, wearing their traditional copper bells and being presented to admirers in a large school hall.

Britain History

Valais sheep breeders in Britain are gaining notoriety, despite their small numbers (around 400 and growing). Sales of individual animals are reaching record amounts, and breeders are creating events dedicated to the breed. One such event was the Blacknose Beauties Show hosted by the UK Valais Blacknose Sheep Society. The aim of the show was to mirror the Swiss system, and it was based on the Miss Visp contest. The event had 13 classes, and breeders competed in them. To ensure the standards were upheld, eight Swiss judges were imported to educate farmers. For links to the Carlisle show-winning breeders and photographs, visit MacGregorphotography.com and the Valais Blacknose Sheep Society.