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22-579: This breed, according to some sources, originated from Andalusian Churro stock imported between 1870 and 1890. However, according to other sources, they are an autochthonous variety of the Iberian Churro, the Andalusian varieties being native to large stretches of Spain contiguous with the Portuguese breed's historical range and processing similar characteristics. They are mainly found in

44-406: A 2019 studbook registered purebred adults, listing 64 rams and 1626 ewes. In 2024 the total population had risen to an estimated 7411–8252 head, with a breeding stock of 3822 ewes and 63 rams in 47 flocks; its conservation status was listed as "at risk/vulnerable". The sheep are usually white, with black markings on the feet and head; about 10% of the population has black wool. The fleece

66-403: A dual coat, which has an inner and an outer layer. The fleece is composed of an inner coat (80% of fleece), and outer coat that is hair fibers (10-20% of fleece) and kemp (a coarse, opaque fiber, less than 5% of fleece). The fleece color is separated from the points color. The fleece can often change from lamb to adulthood. Blacks, for instance, often white out with age. The meat is lean with

88-423: A protective topcoat and soft undercoat. Some rams have four fully developed horns, a trait shared with few other breeds in the world. The breed is highly resistant to disease. Ewes often birth twins , and they have good mothering instincts. This breed is raised primarily for wool, although some also eat their meat. The common Diné word for the breed, Dibé dits’ozí , means "long fleeced sheep." T’áá Dibé

110-532: Is also occasionally used, meaning "first sheep." The churro is important to Diné subsistence and culture. The Spanish Churra (renamed Churro by American frontiersmen) was first imported to North America in 1598 by Juan de Oñate 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. The Diné acquired Churro flocks by trading. The Churro soon became an important part of

132-630: Is more common in rams, the polycerate trait appears in ewes as well. This is because they possess a mutation on the HOXD1 gene, a mutation also found in old heritage breeds like the Jacob Sheep . Churros come in a variety of colors, including reds, browns, black, white, and mixes, and color may change with age. The color is separated into the fleece color and the points color (legs and head). The sheep may also have different color patterns, such as eye patches and hip spots. The Navajo-Churros possess

154-474: Is mostly confined to the neck and trunk of the animal, leaving the head, lower legs, and belly exposed. The staples are 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) in length and are pointy and open. Both sexes have ridged horns, although the horns are smaller and less developed in ewes, in rams they project outward in wide spirals. The animals are known for their large statue, lively temperament, and general hardiness. Mature rams grow on average to 95 cm (37 in) at

176-668: The Churra do Campo and the Churra do Minho . This sheep -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Navajo-Churro The Navajo-Churro , or Churro for short, (also American or Navajo Four-Horned ) is a breed of domestic sheep originating with the Spanish Churra sheep obtained by the Diné around the 16th century during the Spanish Conquest . Its wool consists of

198-768: The Duero Valley in the autonomous community of Castile and León in north-western Spain. In the province of Zamora the milk is used to make Zamorano cheese . There are numerous regional variants of the Churra in Spain. Two of these are recognised as separate breeds: the Churra Lebrijana of Andalusia , also known as the Atlantica or Marismeña, named for Lebrija on the Guadalquivir and found in

220-1082: The Navajo-Churro . Cross-breeding with the Merino has given rise to the Spanish : entrefino or medium-fine group of breeds in Spain, and to the Churra Algarvia breed in Portugal. Other Portuguese Churra breeds include the Churra Badana , the Churra Galega Bragançana Branca , the Churra Galega Bragançana Preta , the Churra Galega Mirandesa , the Churra Mondegueira , the Churra da Terra Quente ,

242-588: The comarca of El Bierzo in the province of León ; and the Churra Castellana or Churra Campera of Castile. The Churra is a traditional triple-purpose breed, reared for milk , for meat and for its wool, which is of coarse quality suitable for carpet-making. Sheep of this type were taken by the conquistadores to the New World , where they gave rise to American breeds such as the Chiapas and

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264-489: The district of Faro . Traditionally, they were raised for their lean but flavourful meat, milk for cheesemaking, and wool for mattress -filling. They were also commonly raised for vegetation management and to reduce produce waste. The population of this breed has been decreasing. In 1996, there were greater than 23,000 and in 2004, there were greater than 1300. According to the DGAV ( Direção geral de allmentação e veterinária ),

286-434: The 1970s onward: I said, "Why are you crying for grandpa?" He said, "It's been a long time since I've seen these sheep. I'm so happy that they're here again." Churros are small sheep with long, thin tails, horizontal ears, and a double coat. Ewes are 40–60 kg (88–132 lb), while rams are 55–85 kg (121–187 lb). The sheep are long-lived and can be productive for up to 15 years. An ideal Churro, according to

308-574: The 1970s when breeders began acquiring Churro phenotypes with the purpose of preserving the breed and revitalizing Diné and Hispanic flocks. The Navajo Sheep Project, headed by Lyle McNeal, was the first organization to start a breeding program. While the Navajo-Churro breed is no longer in danger of extinction , it is still considered a rare breed. There were over 8,000 head of Navajo-Churro sheep in 2022. Diné weavers have used Churro wool to make rugs, wall hangings, and other products since

330-561: The Diné economy and culture. The Navajo bred sheep to adapt to a pastoral lifestyle in a harsh desert environment. During the Navajo Wars , American soldier Kit Carson instructed his troops to destroy Navajo crops and kill their livestock, including the Churro sheep, in 1863. They killed thousands of sheep. Some small clusters in remote canyons survived the attack. The entire Navajo nation

352-404: The Diné. As such, flocks of sheep traditionally belonged to women and were passed from a mother to her children. Children learned to tend the sheep at a young age. The specific Churro breed, as opposed to sheep in general, is an important part of Diné cultural identity. Elders in particular remembered the Churro flocks from the early 20th century. Some were overjoyed to see the revitalization from

374-410: The amount of sheep and horses on Diné lands. Tens of thousands of Churro sheep were slaughtered, and their numbers dwindled. The Livestock Conservancy estimated that less than 450 Churros remained by the 1970s. This reduction of the flocks drove many Diné ranchers into poverty. Many Diné who had traditionally lived off of the land and agriculture turned to wage work. Restoration of the breed began in

396-463: The breed standard, has a bare face, bare legs, and a mostly bare belly. The sheep are hardy with light bones, narrow bodies, and long legs. They do not reach their full-grown size until well into their second year. Most rams have horns, either two or four. Rams may also have scurs or be polled . Ewes are more likely to have scurs or be polled; however, they may also have two or four horns. Sheep with more than two horns are polycerate . Although this

418-530: The coastal provinces of Cadiz and Huelva in south-western Spain; and the Churra Tensina , named for the Valle de Tena in the province of Huesca in the central Pyrenees. Others include the small Sayaguesa, associated with the comarca of Sayago in the south of the province of Zamora and reared mostly for meat; the Churra del Bierzo or Blanca del Bierzo, an endangered polled type from

440-468: The late 1600s. The sheep naturally produce wool in fourteen colors, so weavers can produce complex colorwork without needing to dye the wool. The yarn produced from the wool is durable, coarse, and non-pilling. Many Diné through the early 20th century made their livelihood in farming and ranching. Woven products, such as rugs and blankets, were and continue to be important exports. Carding wool, spinning yarn, and weaving are traditionally women's work among

462-469: The withers and weigh 75 kg (170 lb). However, ewes grow to an average 85 cm (33 in) at the withers, weighing 55 kg (120 lb) at maturity. Although not a variety of fat-tailed sheep , the animals have long tails which are broad at the base. Andalusian Churro The Churra is an Iberian type, breed or group of breeds of sheep . The word churra simply means 'coarse-woolled'. The Churra originates in

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484-608: Was then forced to march to a reservation. The Navajo nation and the US government signed Treaty of Bosque Redondo in 1868, allowing the Navajo to return to their homeland. As part of the agreement, the US government provided sheep to the Navajo; however, these breeds were unfamiliar and contaminated the Churro sheep line. In the 1930s, the US government implemented the Navajo Livestock Reduction , intended to reduce

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