Welcome to Greendale Jacobs – a small Cheshire based flock of Jacob sheep.
Established in 2002 with just four ewes, we now have a flock of around 30. Jacob sheep have horns and distinctive black and white skin. Their wool looks like it has brown patches.
This is a traditional breed which is believed to be the oldest in the world and is mentioned in the Old Testament. Originally from the Middle East, they were introduced into the British Isles in Elizabethan times as ornaments in Country Parks.
The breed went into decline during the 20th century and was on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watch list for a time. The Jacob Sheep Society was formed in 1969 and it’s first president was the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire who had a flock at Chatsworth in Derbyshire. Since then the numbers have increased and there are now more than 8000 breeding sheep in this country and animals are exported worldwide.
Our sheep are kept mainly for breeding with a small income from their wool.