It has been described as a dual-purpose breed, with superior wool and near-mutton breed characteristics. The original stock is the Red Karman from Turkey. The breed is well known for its wool, but also for its meat, both lamb and mutton. Distant ancestors of today's Rambouillet accompanied Moorish conquerors to Spain, and their descendants were left behind when the Spaniards drove the invaders out. First imported to the United States in 1840, the breed was successfully molded through selective breeding to meet the needs of a large class of U.S. sheep producers. The flock was raised exclusively at the Bergerie, with no sheep being sold for several years, well into the 19th century.[1]. The lambs grow rapidly under good feeding conditions to produce satisfactory market weights at from six to nine months of age. The Rahmani originated in northern Syria and northern Turkey and was introduced into Egypt in the 9th century. Black Friday Sale! The development of the Rambouillet breed started in 1786, when Louis XVI purchased over 300 Spanish Merinos (318 ewes, 41 rams, seven wethers) from his cousin, King Charles III of Spain. The Rambouillet is the largest of fine wool sheep. Corrections? The breed is named after Rahmania, a village in the Beheira Governorate in the North Updates? It is also known as the French Merino and the Rambouillet Merino. In 1786, King Louis XVI imported around 360 Spanish Merinos after the relaxation of the export of sheep. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Rambouillet, breed of sheep, developed from selections of a few hundred of the best Merino sheep of Spain in 1786 and 1799 by the French government at its national sheepfold at Rambouillet, France. RAMBOUILLET HISTORY. Rambouillet, breed of sheep, developed from selections of a few hundred of the best Merino sheep of Spain in 1786 and 1799 by the French government at its national sheepfold at Rambouillet, France. The Rambouillet had its origin among the Moors of North Africa during the Fourteenth Century. [3] An estimated 50% of the sheep on the US western ranges are of Rambouillet blood. The face covering of wool is rather heavy, even to the extent of causing wool blindness in some specimens, but selective mating has alleviated this problem. Omissions? Sheep barns at the Experiment Station in Rambouillet, France. The Spanish government was so protective of their Merinoflocks that any exportation was forbidden. Outcrossing with English long-wool breeds and selection produced a well-defined breed,[2] differing in several important points from the original Spanish Merino. The fleece was valuable in the manufacture of cloth, at times being woven in a mixed fabric of cotton warp and wool weft, known as Delaine Merino.[5]. Written By Rachel Snack - January 06 2018. Rambouillet ewes are crossbred extensively with medium-wool and long-coarse-wool rams to produce choice market lambs and rugged breeding ewes with heavy, attractive medium wool. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/animal/Rambouillet-breed-of-sheep. The Rambouillet breed originated with Spain's famed Merinoflocks, which were known from the earliest times as producers of the world's finest wool. The development of the Rambouillet breed started in 1786, when Louis XVI purchased over 300 Spanish Merinos (318 ewes, 41 rams, seven wethers) from his cousin, King Charles III of Spain. Where shortly after some were imported to the United States. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. [4] Rambouillet stud has also had an enormous influence on the development of the Australian Merino industry though Emperor and the Peppin Merino stud. In the year of 1786, development of this breed started when Louis XVI purchased over 300 Spanish Merinos. USEFUL LINKS The Rambouillet sheep gets its name from the Rambouillet Estate in Northern France. This policy changed in 1786, however, when the King of Spain granted a request from the government of France and sent 359 … The wool clips were larger and the wool length had increased to greater than three inches. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). BREED HISTORY, STANDARDS, FACTS. Premium Membership is now 50% off! The flock was subsequently developed on an experimental royal farm, the Bergerie royale (now Bergerie nationale) built during the reign of Louis XVI, at his request, on his domain of Rambouillet, 50 km southwest of Paris, which Louis XVI had purchased in December 1783 from his cousin, Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre. This breed was also used for the development of the "Barbado" or American Blackbelly sheep, which was crossed with Barbados Blackbelly and mouflon for their horns at hunting ranches. Louis XVI purchased 7 wethers, 41 rams and 318 ewes from his cousin King Charles III of Spain. The breed has a white face and white legs. In 1889, the Rambouillet Association was formed in the United States with the aim of preserving the breed. History of the Rambouillet Sheep. Rambouillets prevail on the western ranges, where two-thirds of the sheep of the United States are produced. Through modifications of breeding, the distinct Rambouillet sheep began to appear through crossing with English Long wool breeds. Fleeces of Rambouillet sheep are relatively heavy. Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rambouillet_sheep&oldid=939210456, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 February 2020, at 01:27. The Rambouillet is a breed of sheep also known as the Rambouillet Merino or the French Merino. The Merino sheep were sent to the Rambouillet Farm just outside of Paris where the Rambouillet sheep breed have now been bred since 1801. The Rambouillet is a breed of sheep also known as the Rambouillet Merino or the French Merino. The Rambouillet sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from France. The size was greater, with full-grown ewes weighing up to 200 pounds and rams up to 300 pounds, live weight. First imported to the United States in 1840, the breed was successfully molded through selective breeding to meet the needs of a large class of U.S. sheep producers.