|
The Navajo-Churro, or Churro for short,〔 is a breed of domestic sheep originating with the Spanish Churra sheep obtained by the Navajo Indian, Hopi and other Native American tribes around the 16th century during the Spanish Conquest. The breed is renowned for its hardiness and adaptability to extremes of climate. Its wool consists of a protective topcoat and soft undercoat. Some rams have four fully developed horns, a trait shared with few other breeds in the world. The Navajo-Churro has also gained popularity with its low-maintenance reputation, resistance to disease, and lean meat. Some say they are very personable. Ewes often bear twins. This breed, also known as the American or Navajo Four-Horned sheep, is raised primarily for wool.〔 〕 ==History== Navajo-Churro are descended from a cross between the Churra, an ancient Iberian breed and the Jacob Sheep, a breed found in ancient Biblical History.〔 〕 The Churra (renamed Churro by American frontiersmen) was first imported to North America in the 16th century and used to feed Spanish armies and settlers. By the 17th century Churros were popular with the Spanish settlers in the upper Rio Grande Valley. Flocks of Churros were also acquired by the Navajo through trading. The Churro soon became an important part of the Navajo economy and culture.〔 A series of United States government-sponsored flock reductions and cross-breedings decimated the Navajo flocks until the Churro sheep nearly disappeared. Restoration of the breed began in the 1970s when breeders began acquiring Churro phenotypes with the purpose of preserving the breed and revitalizing Navajo and Hispanic flocks.〔 (Sacred Sheep Revive Navajo Tradition, For Now ), Weekend Edition Saturday, National Public Radio, 2010-06-13, accessed 2010-06-13.〕 While the Navajo-Churro breed is no longer in danger of extinction, Navajo-Churro sheep are still considered a rare breed.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Navajo-Churro sheep」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|